Steps to Writing a Highschool Essay
by Students work everyday desperately trying to write an "A" paper for school. It’s actually quite simple, with a good process writing an Essay can be quite fun.
High schools fail to teach essays for what they really are. They fail to have students write essays in their purest forms: as a work of art. High schools have hammered the “Essays are a boring research paper where you have to follow this generic, black and white format or you fail” mentail Erase that idea and see what essays are truly about.
Well, that’s for another day, today is a step by step lesson to writing the “generic, black and white” version of an essay.
I say step by step on HOW to write one, i’m not saying that this’ll do it for you, no, you’re going to have to think for yourself.
1. First you must choose a topic of discussion
A topic of discussion is the main idea that your essay is focused on, it is the core of your thesis.
Example: Oppression of the lower class.
2. Create an outline
This is an extremely important step that many overlook, they don’t see the importance of an outline in the creation of a thesis and the body of the essay.
The outline should consist of 5 parts ( For a five paragraph essay), the introduction part, the three body paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph.
The introduction paragraph should consist of the following:
- Any background information the reader would need to fully understand the essay and your argument.
- Your thesis and mapping statement (3 points of argument)
- Your introduction paragraph should be concise; no more than half a page (double spaced, 12 times new roman)
1st Body paragraph outline:
- An opening statement
- 1 of your three arguments, generally the second strongest one.
- 3 details to reinforce the argument being made
- The point your trying to make reworded.
2nd body paragraph outline:
- An opening statement – smooth transition from previous paragraph
- 2nd argument, generally the weakest one.
- 3 details to reinforce the argument
- Reword your point of argument
3rd body paragraph outline:
- An opening statement – smooth transition from previous paragraph
- 3rd argument, the strongest one – ends the essay off with a nice *bang*
- 3 details to reinforce the argument.
- Restate point of argument
Conclusion:
- Restate your thesis – use a bit of variation, reword it.
- Your 3 points of argument – reworded
- A strong conclusion sentence – your opinion or final thoughts on the matter.
After you have done all of this pat, yourself on the back because now you are through the hardest part of essay writing.
3. Write your first draft
You are done the hardest part of the essay writing process, now all that’s left is to fill in the blanks. Think of it like a mad lib, you have your outline, set it up the way you want it - now fill in the blanks with proper transition words and you’re done your first draft.
4. Peer and self editing
The editing process – a heavily underestimated tool. Students fail to see the usefulness of getting your work edited by a peer, and by yourself (yourself first – spelling, grammar).
The job of the peer editor is no to check your spelling and grammar, that’s what spell check is for, and your own brain. Have your peer editor read through your essay and wherever he finds that the information is unclear or is poorly written, have him note it down. Have him give you feed back:
- Was it insightful?
- Did it change his perspective on the topic, or did it reinforce his opinion of the topic?
The job of the peer editor is to continuously question your work till it is flawless, and a lot of people miss this.
5. Create the final copy
High schools, for the most part, want you to write your essay in proper MLA format – Including: spacing, layout and works cited list.
After re-writing your essay with all the feedback given by your peers, you are ready to hand it in.
Related Articles:
Liked it
