How to Write an Essay

The word ‘Essai’ was used by a French writer 'Montaigne' for the very first time which means an attempt. Hence, essay means an attempt on the behalf of the writer to write, what he knows, on a particular topic.  Basically, an essay has three main parts.

1. Introduction
2. Body paragraphs
3. Conclusion

1-    INTRODUCTION  

Generally, introduction comprises on three important elements.

1. Hook
2. Background Statement
3. Thesis Statement

1.1    HOOK

Hook is the very first sentence of an essay in which the writer puts a fact, surprising statement or even a question. The sole aim of this sentence is to make the reader curious about reading the essay. Just like a fish, the writer tries to hook the reader by making this sentence as interesting as possible. For example, if we have a prompt: ‘Should Students Wear a Uniform to College’, a suitable hook sentence may be like this;

“Imagine waking up and not having to think about what you were going to wear each day. That would be so nice."

1.2    BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Next to hook, the writer provides, in one or two sentences, the background information about the issue and tells who it is important to. This gives the readers the context or the background to clarify why the writer is writing about the topic.

"This is the case for many students across the world who wear uniforms to college. Of course, not all college require a uniform. Some colleges let their students wear what they want each day, but this is not the best decision."

1.3    THESIS STATEMENT

This is the most important sentence of an essay because it states the writer’s point of view. This provides information about how the writer would proceed the essay. Generally, the essay needs the writer’s clear and definitive stance on the issue and that comes from a strong and clear thesis only.

“Students should definitely wear uniforms to college.”

2-    BODY PARAGRAPHS           

The body paragraph of an essay is considered the backbone of the essay because it contains the most important content of the essay. It gives shape to the essay. An essay may have one or several body paragraphs. Technically, everybody paragraph has three essential components.

1. Topic Sentence
2. Reason/ Examples
3. Concluding Sentence

2.1    TOPIC SENTENCE

This sentence should be written in line with the thesis statement. This is the sentence that the writer intends to explain.

“There are a number of reasons why wearing a uniform to college is advantageous.”

2.2    REASON

Here, the writer provides facts and explanations with such specific details that the reader is convinced by the content. This section of the essay embodies one or more facts along with their interpretations. Usually, the first fact corresponds to something that is generally accepted and the second one provides a specific detail about what that fact looks like in real life situation.

 2.2.1    FACT 1

“First, the uniforms create a sense of unity.”

2.2.2    INTERPRETATION

 2.2.3    FACT 2

"Second, it is clear that students are at college to learn when there are uniforms."

2.2.4    INTERPRETATION

“For example, the uniform is such a unique thing that signals to the brain that you are in a specific setting. The uniform is a way of showing the brain that when you put this outfit on, it’s time to learn."

2.2.5    FACT 3

“Last, uniforms help students focus on their learnings.”

2.2.6    INTERPRETATION

“In particular, research has proved that the students who wear uniforms have lower level of burden of daily life-work. When they go to dress up for college, they don’t have to waste time on deciding an outfit and they can focus on the Chemistry test they may have in the first period.”

2.2.7    CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Facts and interpretations in each paragraph end up with a concluding sentence which wraps up the whole discussion.

“All of these reasons clearly show how beneficial uniforms are to the overall college environment.”

3-    CONCLUSION

We cannot think of an essay without its conclusion because it conveys the whole content message in fewer words. It helps the examiner understand the view point of the writer. Conclusions are written very systematically keeping in view its main integrates.

1. Restated Thesis
2. Emphasize importance
3. Warning/Prediction

3.1    RESTATED THESIS

Here, the writer restates the thesis statement but in stronger words. For this purpose, the expressions like ‘Must or Have to’ are used. This paragraph is started with transitions like ‘To sum up’ or ‘In conclusion’.

“In sum, if colleges want an excellent atmosphere for learning, then the students must wear uniforms.”

3.2    EMPHASIZE IMPORTANCE

The writer adds a sentence to show why his view point is so important.

“It is such a simple way to create a sense of community which is essential for the health of all learners.”

3.3    WARNING/PREDICTION

In this last sentence, the writer aims to convince the reader that his discussion on the topic may be helpful in decision making for future.

“When students feel secure and less stressed, they will be more successful in college. This type of educational environment sounds best action for the future.”