As I start my last semester at Indiana Wesleyan University, I’m reflecting on all that I’ve learned from my classes and campus experiences. One of the biggest lessons has been how to write essays – both more professionally and more efficiently. I’ve gleaned lessons from my coursework as an English and writing major, as well as from my work as a writing tutor in the Marion campus writing center.
Essay-writing can be challenging. To help you work through the writing process on your next assignment, here are some of my top tips:
Focus on the thesis.
Almost every formal essay I’ve written for a class has required a thesis statement. A thesis is usually a one-sentence statement that encapsulates your argument. It’s often referred to as a “roadmap” for your paper, and lets the reader know what to expect as they move through your paper. A fairly basic formula looks like this:
[The main point the essay is trying to make] + [Transition] + [Reason 1] + [Reason 2] + [Reason 3]
For example:
Online education provides college students with better learning experiences than in-person education because of increased flexibility, improved work-life balance, and the ability to focus on one class at a time.
In this example, the main point I’m arguing is that online education provides college students with better learning experiences than in-person education. I have three reasons to back up this claim: increased flexibility, improved work-life balance, and the ability to focus on one class at a time. In the following paragraphs, I would address each of these three reasons, starting with the first one listed in the thesis and moving on from there.
Most professors will expect to find the essay’s thesis statement at the end of the introduction. Another tip is to understand the type of essay you are writing – is it an argumentative paper? A research paper? What is the purpose of the paper – to convince, to persuade, to inform, or something else? Make sure the thesis statement aligns with the purpose of the essay.
2. Plan it out – and find what works for you.
Prewriting, or planning out what you want to say in your essay, can make the actual writing a lot easier. Not everyone’s prewriting needs to look the same, though. If writing a formal outline works for you, that’s great! If not, there are plenty of other options you can try.
Here are some strategies to help kickstart your writing process:
- Create an outline with a topic sentence for each body paragraph.
- Set a timer and do some free writing. Get all your ideas on paper and then think about how to organize them.
- Use speech-to-text software to jot down ideas without even touching a keyboard.
- Make a bubble map or other visual outline.
- Talk through your thoughts with a friend or writing tutor.
It’s taken me time to figure out what works best for me when writing an essay. If you’re feeling stuck when starting a paper, don’t be afraid to switch up your strategy!
3. Do your research.
Many academic essays require secondary sources. Good research can give your essay credibility and help to round out your argument. IWU students have access to a variety of resources through the Jackson Library – both at the Marion campus and online. The library’s database allows you to filter search results by type, date, and peer-reviewed status.
Make sure to avoid plagiarism and cite your sources correctly – both as in-text citations and in your works cited page. The IWU portal includes helpful cheat sheets on the MLA, APA, and Chicago citation styles on the writing center’s page.
4. Revision matters.
Once you finish a draft, it can be tempting to submit your essay without taking any extra time for revision. But taking a second look at your paper can make a huge difference. Here are some tips for revising your paper:
- Read your essay out loud. This can help you catch mistakes you might miss while reading silently. You can even have Microsoft Word read your paper to you; just go to the Review tab and select “Read Aloud.”
- Double check that you’ve included smooth transitions between paragraphs.
- Watch out for passive voice. The online Hemingway Editor is a great free resource that can help you identify passive voice along with other writing issues.
- Beware of sentence fragments and comma splices. Writing in complete sentences will make your paper much more formal.
Overall, my best advice is to have confidence and find what strategies work best for you. I wish you luck as you embark on your next essay! To see all the resources available to IWU students, including access to Grammarly, visit our Student Resources page.