How to Write an Essay ⇒ Universal Guide by EssayReply

This detailed guide on how to write an essay will mostly be useful for those who don’t have a lot of essay writing experience and students whose native language is not English.

There are many types of essays out there, and you won’t find one perfect guide that covers all of them. Even if you did, that would be a huge and complex manual. But, it doesn’t mean there are no universal tips that could help you with essays at the high school or college level.

Here, we gathered writing tips and techniques that usually work for most essays, so let’s call it the definitive guide to basic academic essay writing.

We analyzed dozens of educational resources with their writing guides, instructions, and rubrics. Then, we compiled that data into the ultimate manual.

To write an essay, follow these steps:

Analyze your task
Define the essay type (optional)
Choose the topic (optional)
Study similar samples (optional)
Research the material and brainstorm
Develop your thesis statement
Build an essay outline
Write the body section
Write the introduction
Write the conclusion
List references (optional)
Proofread and edit your essay

Does this list look scary? Don’t worry, some steps are optional, and we will explain each of those points in detail below so that you can learn how to write an essay regardless of its type.

Note: To discover more about the definition and main features of an essay, check our article: What’s an Essay?

Step 1: Analyze the Task

You might be thinking: “What? How is this going to help me write an essay?” But it will. Assignments are meant to test your independent critical thinking and check how well you digested the material during lectures or in class.

Sometimes, you will get a task related to a particular question you must study independently. In this case, the knowledge of previous material and the ability to analyze it is even more crucial for the essay writing process.

When dealing with essay instructions, we have two pieces of advice:

Focus on Specific Elements:
- Example: “Evaluate the impact of social media on youth culture.”
  - Central Topic: Social media.
  - Specific Focus: Its impact on youth culture, which means your essay should concentrate on how social media influences behaviors, values, or trends among young people.
  - Nature of Task: ‘Evaluate’ implies a need for a critical assessment, including both positive and negative influences.
Addressing Complex Topics:
- Example: “How did Renaissance art reflect the political and social environment of the period?”
  - Primary Subject: Renaissance art.
  - Underlying Themes: The political and social environment of the Renaissance period.
  - Approach: This calls for an analysis of how art during the Renaissance was influenced by and reflected the contemporary political and social climate. You might explore specific artworks, artists, or movements and their connections to the societal context of that era.

Always ask your tutor or professor if you’re unsure about any aspect of the essay requirements. This proactive step can save time and enhance the quality of your essay.

Essay Assignment Sheet Example

Step 2: Determine the Type

Usually, you will know what kind of paper or report you need to write from the assignment. But, sometimes, they don’t specify it, or it’s unclear after reading the task sheet.

If, after looking through the requirements, you’re sure you didn’t miss anything that can help you determine the essay type, you should:

Ask your tutor for clarification.
Check if the topic contains hints (look for words like “argue” or “compare”).
Choose the type matching your subject if the points above don’t work.

Understanding Main Essay Types:

Narrative Essay: Tells a story or shares an experience.
Descriptive Essay: Focuses on detailing a character, place, or event.
Expository Essay: Explains or describes a topic factually.
Argumentative Essay: Takes a stance on an issue and argues for a position.
Persuasive Essay: Similar to an argumentative essay, it aims to persuade the reader to accept the writer’s point of view or recommendation.
Analytical Essay: Focuses on analyzing a piece of literature, an event, or a particular scenario.

Remember, each essay type requires a different approach, so identifying it correctly is fundamental to crafting an effective essay.

Here’s an extensive list of essay types that you might encounter in high school or college:

Besides those, you might have heard about the lyric, GRE, or admissions essay. But the requirements for those are too specific, so our guidelines won’t help you much with them.

If you want to know more about admission essays and the process of admissions, you might want to seek college counseling, which can help you answer most questions.

Step 3: Choose a Topic

Assigned Topic: If given a broad essay topic like “human brain” or “U.S. history,” refine it based on the essay’s purpose. For instance, from “Napoleonic Wars,” focus on something specific, like “The role of print during the Napoleonic Wars” or “Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo.” Ensure the narrowed topic aligns with the essay’s requirements and fits within the length constraints.

Choosing Your Topic: When free to choose, select a topic that aligns with the essay’s goal (to persuade, inform, or narrate) and interests you. Brainstorm ideas based on your experiences, observations, and interests. Remember to consider the essay’s purpose and length while selecting your topic.

how to brainstorm when writing an essay — Brainstorming mind map

Can’t think of anything? Ask your college professor or school tutor for help — being shy in such a situation will not play into your hands. Besides using good old pen and paper, you can also search for brainstorming tools online if you prefer digital means.

After you organize a list of potential topics, narrow one or two down as described at the beginning of step three. While doing so, consider the number of words or pages your essay should meet and its type.

When choosing a topic for an essay, ask yourself:

Is the problem worth discussing?
Will your essay achieve its purpose with this topic?
Are you interested in writing about this?
Will you be able to fit into the word limit?
Is there enough information about this topic?
Will you finish your essay on time?

Did you answer “yes” to all those questions? Nice! That’s probably your topic.

Step 4: Review Essay Samples

If you feel you don’t have enough experience to deal with your assignment, try searching for high-quality samples of essays similar to yours. Yes, books will give you the theory, but practice is king.

Adding the word “samples” or “examples” after the paper type will yield tons of results. But pay attention to the website domain. The most credible sites with samples usually end with “.edu,” “.gov,” and “.org” or start with “EssayReply”?

Note: You can try searching for essay databases. They may offer thousands of papers, but most are generally of questionable quality and might contain spelling and grammar mistakes.

When studying essay examples, pay attention to the following:

Bibliography or references to see what sources you can use
Claims made by the essay’s author to analyze their structure
Supporting evidence to analyze their credibility
Reasoning and logic that ties the evidence to claims

Apart from reading samples related to your essay topic and kind, you should also read any well-written pieces to develop your writing skills and style.

Step 5: Do the Research

Now that you’re clear on your essay’s topic and type, it’s time for in-depth research. You’ll need to gather evidence from reliable sources, including authoritative articles, books, and journals.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write an Essay

Understanding Sources:

Primary Sources: Provide firsthand accounts or direct evidence. Examples include manuscripts, speeches, diaries, and raw data.
Secondary Sources: Offer analysis or interpretation of primary sources, like reviews, scholarly articles, and critiques.

Utilize primary sources mainly, but complement them with secondary ones for broader analysis. If unsure about source selection, consult your instructor.

Starting Points for Research:

Use Wikipedia for initial understanding, then explore its references for more scholarly materials.
For U.S.-related topics, digital libraries and archives like the Digital Public Library of America and the New York Public Library Digital Collection are excellent resources.
Academic databases such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, and Microsoft Academic provide access to a wide range of secondary sources.

Recording and Organizing Research:

Keep track of all references and ideas, including those that challenge your viewpoint, to ensure a well-rounded essay.
Tools like citation generators can simplify creating references.
Organize your thoughts and findings using mind maps or lists, which can help in structuring your essay later.

Research is a crucial phase where a change in environment can sometimes offer fresh perspectives. Always be ready to jot down new ideas as they come.

Step 6: Develop a Thesis Statement

After organizing your ideas, you need to develop the thesis statement. While some recommend forming it after outlining your essay, doing it beforehand can better inform your paper’s structure.

A thesis statement, typically one concise sentence, articulates your essay’s central argument. It should not be a mere fact, question, topic, opinion, or list, but rather a clear and specific claim based on your strongest ideas supported by research.

Note: Avoid using non-specific words like “thing,” “good,” “evil,” etc. Narrow your essay’s thesis down as much as possible and exclude too broad terms.

An example of a less effective thesis:

“The Industrial Revolution had a negative impact on the environment.”

An example of a good thesis:

“The industrial revolution, while improving quality of life, significantly pressured the environment through air pollution from factories, deforestation for lumber, and ecosystem destruction for infrastructure.”

Step 7: Create an Outline

Before building a house, one must create a foundation. Similarly, now that you have your sources researched and thesis statement ready, before writing your essay, draft an outline.

We will give only basic guidelines. Hence, the five-paragraph essay structure is a perfect example. Most essays follow this general structure and contain three main sections: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding section. Before writing, you must check the structural rules related to your paper type, discipline, and your tutor’s expectations.

Use a bulleted list to compose the outline. Indicate three major ideas for each body paragraph of your essay and back them up with three points of evidence. And don’t forget about your introduction and conclusion. Below is a sample template of a five-paragraph outline.

1. Introduction

Start with an engaging opening sentence to grab attention.
- Use a provocative question, relevant statistics, a compelling anecdote, an intriguing fact, or a notable quote.
Introduce the topic, providing context and background.
Present your thesis statement, outlining key arguments. Ensure it’s insightful and not merely factual or commonplace.

2. Body Paragraphs

Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces a primary supporting idea.
- Your strongest argument should ideally be in the final body paragraph.
Develop your point with detailed supporting sentences, using concrete examples.
End with a transitional sentence to smoothly lead into the next paragraph.

3. Conclusion

Restate your thesis in different words.
Offer final thoughts, which may include:
- Addressing the broader implications (answering “So what?”).
- A call to action for the reader.
- Memorable concluding quotes.
- A thought-provoking rhetorical question.
- A succinct recap of the main points.
Avoid introducing new ideas or information.

And as an image:

five paragraph essay outline template example

Step 8: Compose Body Paragraphs

Start writing the “heart” of your essay by your outline. It will be much easier to draft the introduction and conclusion after finishing the main section. Depending on the essay type, each body paragraph will argue, explain, discuss, describe, compare, or narrate. Regardless of that, every paragraph should be based on only one main idea that you choose to include.

In most cases, the structure of the main paragraphs remains the same throughout the essay:

Topic sentence
Supporting evidence
Evidence analysis
Transition sentence

Developing Paragraphs:

Start with a clear topic sentence that encapsulates the paragraph’s main argument.
Expand on the topic sentence with detailed supporting statements, and strengthen your argument with a thorough analysis of the evidence.
Conclude with a sentence summarizing the point and hints at the following paragraph, maintaining a cohesive flow.

Note: It’s rarely specified by instructions, but all your paragraphs in the body part should be roughly the same in terms of word count.

If it’s a five-paragraph structure, your essay’s body will consist of three paragraphs. But, you may need to include more if the requirements state so. That said, fewer than three paragraphs are usually not accepted, so take that number as a minimum requirement.

Prioritize your arguments from strongest to weakest to maximize impact, adhering to the serial-position effect—readers often recall the first and last points most clearly.

Imagine an essay on the environmental impacts of urbanization. Here’s how the first body paragraph might look:

“The relentless sprawl of urban landscapes has directly contributed to the degradation of air quality in cities across the globe. [Topic sentence] A study by the World Health Organization estimates that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants, with urban areas being significantly affected due to emissions from vehicles and industry. [Supporting evidence] This pollution not only tarnishes the air we breathe but also escalates health risks, leading to an increase in respiratory ailments and chronic diseases among urban populations. [Evidence analysis] Acknowledging the gravity of this issue is the first step towards advocating for greener policies and practices. [Transition sentence]“

Step 9: Write the Introduction

Once you have the body section done, you can proceed to write the introduction. You can often find guides saying, “Your essay’s first paragraph must hook the reader and make them want to read your text to the end.” That is true if you’re writing an application essay or for a contest. If the only person reading it is your teacher or college professor, they’ll have no choice but to go through the whole thing. Just ensure your introductory paragraph makes sense and meets the requirements.

In your introduction, you acquaint the reader with the topic and provide a road map they can follow. So, make sure your opening section mentions every key idea discussed later in the body paragraphs. Also, a thesis statement would generally wrap the introduction and can serve as a logical transition to the body.

Note: The length of your introduction should typically be three to five sentences for short essays. For longer ones, make it no more than one page.

Here are some ways to start your essay:

An anecdote or a joke (an appropriate one)
One of the literary devices (e.g., a metaphor)
A topic-related story (simple and rather short)
Shocking statistics or facts from a credible source
A summary that goes from general to specific
A famous quote that ties to your topic

When deciding on how you want to begin your essay, make sure whatever you use has a clear connection with your thesis statement.

Let’s continue that essay on the environmental impacts of urbanization. Here’s how the introduction might look:

“In the heart of bustling cities, where skyscrapers overshadow dwindling green spaces, the narrative of urbanization is often told as a tale of progress. [Hook: a metaphor] Yet, beneath the concrete surface lies an untold story of environmental cost. [Introduction to the topic] This essay explores the multifaceted impact of city expansion on our natural world—from the gasping breath of polluted air to the silent sufferings of displaced wildlife. [road map] Through a critical examination of current research, it unfolds the complex relationship between urban growth and ecological change. While urban development is inevitable, sustainable practices are essential for the preservation of environmental integrity, [thesis statement] setting the stage for a discussion on the pivotal balance between advancement and conservation.[transition to body]“

Step 10: Write the Conclusion

The serial-position effect also applies here. The reader will remember that you failed the last part even if you nailed everything else. So, you must polish your essay conclusion to perfection to make sure the impression you make will be positive. This is where you have one last opportunity to influence your reader and create a sense of closure.

Note: Never present any new information in your concluding paragraph. Doing that contradicts the purpose of this section.

It must be about the same length as your introduction (3–5 sentences for short essays). But, it’s not just a summary of your major points, which is stated by numerous guides surprisingly often. Yes, repurposing your thesis statement is fine as long as you don’t copy-paste it. In shorter essays, you don’t need to restate all your main points.

Note: Don’t use phrases like “to sum up” or “in conclusion.” Those are suitable for speeches but must be avoided in essays.

Use a quote from one of your primary sources — choose one that strengthens your central points or shows them in a different light. End your discussion by showing it in a broader context. Consider the implications your argument or analysis has. All those ways will help you avoid turning your conclusion into a mere summary.

Let’s finish that essay on the environmental impacts of urbanization. Here’s how the conclusion might look:

“In the matrix of modern development, urbanization has been a double-edged sword, cutting into the very fabric of our environment while building up our skylines. [Recap] As Jane Jacobs once articulated, ‘Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.’ [Quote] This reflection brings us full circle, emphasizing the collective role in shaping the future of urban environments. [Closing thought] Our discussion has traversed the impacts of urban growth, setting forth a vision where sustainability and progress coexist harmoniously. [Rephrased thesis & broader context]“

Step 11: Include References

Remember we said you should write down all the sources you use? That’s because you might have to add a page to your essay with all those sources listed. If you do, you will have to format those using one of the standard styles, which is usually specified by your tutor. In fact, many online services can make it much easier for you. Here are some of them:

APA Citation Generator
Citation Machine
Cite This For Me

They also may contain guides on citation styles so that you learn how to manage the reference list and quotations.

Note: To find out more about essay formatting in terms of citations and overall structure, read our guidelines here: How to format an essay?

Step 12: Revise the Draft

You’re done writing the essay, and that’s great! But, don’t turn it in just yet. Moreover, you must never consider your first draft as the final version. If it’s not five hours before the deadline, you should put your essay away and take a break. Rest for a few hours or a day. After that, you’ll be able to evaluate your work from a different angle and with a clear mind.

When rereading the essay, this is what you must pay attention to and correct if needed.

Requirements

Get the assignment sheet in front of you and double-check your essay. It must meet every instruction your tutor gave you. You should check:

Formatting (margins, title page, spacing, etc.)
Length requirements (the number of pages or words)
Number of references that must be used

Logic

Does everything in your paper make sense?
Do you provide evidence everywhere it’s needed?
How well do you transition from one paragraph to another?

Grammar and Spelling

You should try using one of the many spell checkers out there. They won’t highlight every grammar mistake, but they can deal with the most obvious ones properly. You can also glance through a style guide to see if your punctuation is alright.

Vocabulary

Make sure your essay doesn’t contain too many repetitive and redundant words. Many phrases can be shortened quite a bit: “due to the fact that” can easily become “because.” Also, open a thesaurus and diversify your text. But, don’t use words that are too complex or the meaning of which you don’t understand. The wider the audience that can understand your essay, the better.

Note: Use active voice whenever possible because it’s much stronger when it comes to making an impression, prove an argument, or calling to action.

Any contractions like “aren’t” or “should’ve” should be avoided. Those are considered colloquialisms, so using them will make your essay less serious.

To learn more about word choice in essays, you can read our dedicated article: Words to Use in Essays

If you did everything described above, you can give the essay to your parents or a roommate and ask their opinion. A fresh look from the aside can help you find mistakes that have escaped you. Even reading the piece out loud can uncover some flaws you didn’t notice before.

And don’t be afraid of rewriting a paragraph or two. Sometimes, no matter how many minor changes you make, it will still bother you. In that case, the best thing is to redo the entire part from scratch.

Tips for Essay Writing

This final section contains even more tips on how to write a solid essay. Some of them also summarize the most important things to convey essential knowledge.

Begin writing your essay in advance. The more time you have, the better. You will have a better revision stage and will be able to develop all the ideas adequately.
Don’t beat the air. You should be on point and ensure your essay doesn’t sound like a paraphrased broken record.
Try always to use the most accurate words to express your thoughts. A vague language indicates that you think with generalities.
Stay on your topic’s track. It is sometimes so tantalizing to wander off into other subjects, but you must always keep the main essay question in mind.
Back every claim you make by substantial evidence. You can use facts, statistics, real-life examples, and quotes from trustworthy sources.
Don’t make your essay monotonous. Don’t start sentences with the same words and vary their length. You don’t want to turn your text into a droning marathon.
Follow the sequence we presented here step by step. This is the most efficient way of ordering your actions.
Avoid informal language (lemme, gotta, etc.), colloquialisms, and jargon. Use academic vocabulary and open a dictionary if needed.
Use cliches sparingly. Sometimes they are necessary to make your point, but too many of them will rain on your parade.
Cite all your sources properly. You wouldn’t want to be accused of plagiarism because the consequences can be serious.
Keep it plagiarism-free. Make sure to check your essay for plagiarism with the help of a free plagiarism checker that is reliable and capable of helping you spot duplication in your content. A unique essay will lead to a positive impression.
Avoid words that deprive you of authority. “Almost,” “rather,” “quite”: all these words scream that you lack confidence.
Don’t overuse quotes. After all, essays are meant to show what the student has to say not that dozen of people they cited.
Steer clear of sexist, racist, and any discriminative language.

On this final lucky-thirteen set of essay writing tips, our guide ends. If you didn’t find the answer to your question, try using the search bar on our website. EssayReply project is still WIP, so we will keep adding new pages to cover as many essay-related questions as possible. And if you find this article useful, make sure to click “yes” in the form below.

The list of references

Here, you may find some additional information on the topic:

Essay Writing: The Basics — The University of New South Wales
Basic Guide to Essay Writing by Kathy Livingston
Strategies for Essay Writing — Harvard University

Read for more insights:

Hyland, K. (2003). Second Language Writing. Cambridge University Press. This book discusses the challenges and strategies in writing for learners of English as a second language, making it a relevant resource for your introduction.
Bean, J. C. (2011). Engaging Ideas: The Professor’s Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom. Jossey-Bass. This book provides insights into how assignments are designed to enhance critical thinking and learning.
Bawarshi, A., & Reiff, M. J. (2010). Genre: An Introduction to History, Theory, Research, and Pedagogy. Parlor Press. This book offers an in-depth look at different writing genres, including various types of essays.
Ballenger, B. P. (2014). The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers. Pearson. This guide offers strategies for narrowing down and selecting a research topic, which is applicable to choosing essay topics.
Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2016). The Craft of Research. University of Chicago Press. This book explains the differences between primary and secondary sources and how to use them in academic research effectively.
Silvia, P. J. (2007). How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing. American Psychological Association. This guide discusses the importance of time management in the writing process.
Zinsser, W. (2006). On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. Harper Perennial. This book offers advice on clear and concise writing, which is essential for effective essay writing.

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