Essentials for English Essay Writing

Essentials for English Essay Writing

1. Research

• Read light sources, then thorough
• Write down quotations
• Take a little from a lot

2. Analysis

Identify the argument

Assess the reasoning
Does the writer commit any logical fallacies? Fallacies have commonly committed errors of reasoning. Being aware of these fallacies will help you see them more abundantly in the texts you read. Although there are probably at least a hundred different fallacies, the following six are the most common:

• Hasty Generalization
• Faulty Cause and Effect
• Fallacy of Authority
• Slippery Slope
• Non Sequitar
• Either/Or

3. Brainstorming

• Find an original idea
• Use different techniques
• Thesis
• Be specific
• Avoid lists

4. Outline

• Use an outline to plan
• Make your points brief
• Choose an appropriate arrangement

5. The Introduction

Get the reader's attention

The first goal in your introduction is to grab the reader's attention. Wake him or her up and generate some interest about the topic. To grab the reader's attention, you might present . . .

• an interesting fact
• a surprising piece of information
• an exciting quotation
• an intriguing paradox
• an explanation of an odd term
• a short narrative/anecdote (not fiction)
• a provocative question

Jump right into the Issue 



6. Paragraphs

Choose a singular focus
Begin with a topic sentence
Develop the idea

• illustrate your idea with examples
• give an authoritative quotation
• anticipate and respond to counterarguments
• back your ideas with more evidence
• offer another perspective to the idea
• brainstorm more insights about the idea
• elaborate on causes/effects, definitions, comparison/contrasts

7. The Conclusion

Recap your main idea

• giving a thought-provoking quotation
• describing a powerful image
• talking about consequences or implications
• stating what action needs to be done
• ending on an interesting twist of thought
• explaining why the topic is important

Keep it short

1. Ending on an image
2. Restating the thesis in a fresh way
3. Ending on an image
4. Ending on a quotation
5. Moving towards the general
6. Talking about implications or consequences