Read the essay prompt carefully and understand the question
This is the most crucial stage in essay writing. Once you know the question asked you can be able to identify the type of essay. Highlight the keywords; ‘compare,’ ‘contrast’ ‘discuss,’ ‘explain’ ‘evaluate’ and identify any limiting words, e.g., during the 21st century, within Europe, etc.
Pick a topic
After getting an overview of the essay, you will be in a better position to choose a more relevant topic. Begin by brainstorming, sit down, be calm and start a free flow of thoughts and jot down ideas. Narrow your focus and choose an interesting topic depending on the type of essay and purpose so you can create a top notch essay. If you find it hard to come up with an essay topic, ask your teacher for assistance and you will get a topic which you will be required to defend with relevant sources.
Create an outline
Before you begin your writing, create your essay outline. Jot your topic in the middle of your page, draw lines branching from the topic and write main ideas at the end of each line. From the main ideas at the end of the lines draw more lines and include your thoughts.
Another option is to use a simple outline. Write your topic at the top of your page, separate your essay into introduction, body, and conclusion. For a five paragraph essay, have an introduction, at least three main ideas, and a conclusion. Leave spaces under each idea to enable you to list smaller ideas supporting the main idea. The ‘skeleton’ will enable you to write a more organized essay.
Sample outline:
Introduction paragraph
- First sentence
- Thesis statement
Body paragraph
- Give statistics
- Information on the subject
- Research on the topic
- Relevant data if any
Conclusion paragraph
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