Essay Writing Basics

An essay can be on just about any topic, but the process for writing the essay is usually the same and follows a standard format. Follow these steps and use the example essays available from MonsterPapers and your essay will be done in no time!

Follow these simple steps for writing your essay:

Pick an Essay Topic

You can write your essay on just about any subject. Sometimes the subject will be assigned. Other times you’ll have complete control over what you write. Pay close attention to your teacher's or professor's instructions and use the MonsterPapers database to get ideas for your essay topic.

Outline or Diagram Your Essay

After you decide on the topic for your essay, make a rough diagram of what you’d like to cover and how the ideas are related. There are many different ways to diagram or outline your essay. Just pick the method that you are most comfortable with and go with it. Use the essays in our database to create a rough outline for your own essay and jot down your own thoughts in each part of the outline.

Develop a Thesis Statement

Your thesis should state the topic and the purpose for your essay. For example, your thesis statement might be “War is never the solution to the world’s problems.”

Write Your Essay Body

The next step to writing an essay is to write the essay body. Use your outline or diagram and create a few paragraphs that support your thesis. Start each paragraph with the main idea followed by supporting points for that idea and a short summary for the paragraph and a transition into the next paragraph.

Write an Introduction

It is usually best to save the introduction and conclusion until after you write the body of your essay. Start your essay with an attention grabbing statement and finish it with your thesis statement. Search for examples of different attention grabbers in the MonsterPapers database.

Write a Conclusion

Now you’re ready to conclude your essay. Restate the thesis and summarize your main points. The conclusion doesn’t need to follow any particular format, but it will usually bring closure to your essay.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

After you’ve written your essay, proofread it. Did you follow the assignment instructions? Does your essay make sense? Did you use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation? Are any portions of your essay weak?

Once you’re satisfied with the quality of your essay, print it and you’re done!

By Jon Anderson
MonsterPapers.com