What is an Essay:
- The essay is “Any short composition in prose that undertakes to:
- discuss a matter,
- express a point of view, or
- persuade us to accept a thesis (main idea) on any subject.”
- An essay is an opportunity to find out about a topic of interest to you and to explain it to a reader.
- A variety of prerequisite skills—idea gathering, topic narrowing, topic sentence and paragraph writing, and more—are required.
- What an essay is not:
- An essay is not just five to seven paragraphs of prose writing on certain topic.
- An article- a longer piece found in a newspaper or magazine.
- a report- an account or a statement of facts
Planning the Essay
- Brainstorming: Take 5-10 minutes to bring out all the ideas, points, quotes and examples etc. which can be included in the essay.
- Creating and organizing scattergrams:
- write the topic in the middle of the page
- cover the page with every conceivable idea, thought, aspect of the topic, or possibility that comes to mind.
- Developing an outline:
- Creating an outline from the scattergrams.
- Now all of the information has been gathered and ordered, and is just waiting to be put into paragraph form.
- In an essay we can use:
- Facts, statistics and examples for the points you are making– Information that is truthful (a fact) or numerical data that has been collected (statistics) can make an argument more believable.
- Reasons: Tell the reader why, give some “because”s with specific details. e.g.
- If we had more recreational facilities we would have less crime. To begin with, young people would be busy having fun. They wouldn’t have a lot of time on their hands and be so bored that they would go looking for trouble.
- Quotes:
- Find someone who is knowledgeable about the topic and repeat exactly what he or she said to prove, explain, or clarify your point of view.
- Quote the most acceptable personalities like Gandhiji, Vivekananda, Tagore, M L King etc.
- Opinions:
- Give your own view, judgement, or outlook.
- e.g. We can’t solely blame the central or the state government government for the existing developmental issues. I think society as a whole is responsible for current situations.
- Experiences or anecdotes:
- Tell about something that has happened in your life, or describe an event that you know has happened to someone else. It could be a short story (anecdote) about an incident that supports your point of view.
- e.g. while discussing on racial/colour prejudices you can mention the incident about “Gandhi pushed out of a first-class compartment”.
- Tell about something that has happened in your life, or describe an event that you know has happened to someone else. It could be a short story (anecdote) about an incident that supports your point of view.
The Shape of the Essay:
- The introductory paragraph:
- It is the beginning and relatively short.
- The Introductory Paragraph should prepare the reader for what is to follow and arouse the reader’s interest in the topic.
- Following are the main types of introductory paragraphs:
- Hook: Gets the reader’s attention (captures his/her interest) and invites the reader to proceed.
- Personal Comment (can be an opinion) or Anecdote (statement about something that actually happened) can provide an excellent hook to catch the reader’s attention. This type of opening adds authenticity and offers the opportunity for the essay writer to involve the reader.
- An introductory paragraph can also ask questions that will interest the reader. Whenever possible, they should be sequenced so that they suggest the order of the paragraphs in the body of the essay. For example:
- Why would India want to join any power block? What are the possible benefits of joining such peace threatening power blocks? Have such power blocks ever been in interest of global peace in history? etc..
- Opposite View:
- To arouse interest, an essay can begin with the exact opposite of the popular belief, or of the writer’s real opinion. Afterwards, when the writer states his or her true point of view, the shock value can be an effective attention-getter.
- For example:
- Everyone knows that capital punishment, the death penalty, has been widely successful throughout the world. It has been performed by the most humane possible methods, it has deterred criminals from committing serious offences, and it is being adopted by more and more countries around the globe. Unfortunately, this is not the case. On the contrary, killing people for killing people doesn’t work.
- Quotation:
- An appropriate quote may offer an effective beginning.
- It can state, in just a few words, the essence of what is to follow.
- It is often already known by the readers so it helps make a connection with past experience.
- It is important to get students to understand that it’s the right quote in the right place that makes for an effective beginning.
- Almost always, the quote needs to be tied to the topic so that the reader understands the connection.
- If possible, a quote should be attributed to the person who made it.
- When using a quotation-based introductory paragraph, choosing the right length of quote is important. Remember, a short quote might need to be explained or elaborated, a medium-length quote may be just right, but a long one is likely to be just that—too long.
- An appropriate quote may offer an effective beginning.
- Startling Statement:
- Rock ’em, sock ’em, and shock ’em! Grab the reader’s attention with an outlandish statement. Surprise the reader with something out of the ordinary.
- Some shocking facts and statistics can also be used here. e.g. In India, 30 percent of women have experienced domestic violence at least once from when they were aged 15.
- Thesis: Tells the reader what to expect in the essay.
- The thesis is the main idea, a proposition or statement to be proved.
- The thesis for a given essay is the relatively specific topic that is being written about. i.e. The relatively specific main idea for the essay, a statement that encompasses the main ideas dealt with in the body paragraphs.
- It might come in the form of an opinion.
- e.g. thesis statement: Poverty is a problem right here in our city. I am convinced that we can provide some solutions.
- Here, we have narrowed the topic of “poverty” down to the more specific idea of “poverty in our city,” and suggest that the body paragraphs will deal with solutions that we can provide.
- It might come in the form of a statement about a theme.
- e.g. thesis statement: Hypocrisy in government is threatening the freedom of everyone in our country.
- A major theme of “hypocrisy” has been narrowed to “hypocrisy in government.” This particular essay will deal with how it is “threatening the freedom of the citizens.”
- It is usually shorter than the body paragraphs.
- Sometimes the introductory paragraph may consist of nothing more than a thesis statement. The Thesis Statement Alone opening has the advantage of brevity. A second advantage is clarity; there isn’t anything in the way to cause confusion or ambiguity.
- The Mix: You can weave an introductory paragraph from a blend of the techniques described above. With a little of this and little of that, the results should be creative, descriptive, interesting, and informative.
- With each of the techniques, other than the Thesis Statement Alone, it is possible (and probably advisable) to add a thesis statement to the introductory paragraph. The techniques should look like this:
- Personal Comment or Anecdote + Thesis Statement,
- Questions +Thesis Statement,
- Opposite View + Thesis Statement, etc.
- With each of the techniques, other than the Thesis Statement Alone, it is possible (and probably advisable) to add a thesis statement to the introductory paragraph. The techniques should look like this:
- The body paragraphs:
- These are longer than either the introduction or conclusion.
- Often begins with a topic sentence.
- Explains major points about the topic.
- Might contain reasons and examples.
- Might contain quotations and statistics.
- A paragraph is linked to its following paragraph.
- The last paragraph is often the most important point. The other paragraphs may have been building toward this one.
- The Topic Sentence of a paragraph:
- The “topic sentence” is the sentence in which the main idea (or the controlling idea) of the paragraph is stated. It is unquestionably the most important sentence in the paragraph.
- It is usually a one-sentence statement that indicates purpose, subject, or point of a paragraph. It lets the reader know what the paragraph will be about.
- The topic sentence must present an idea that will unify the rest of the paragraph while relating it back to the main thesis of the paper.
- An example of a topic sentence: Running provides many healthful benefits.
- The topic of this topic sentence is running. The controlling idea is healthful benefits.
- Thus, the reader also knows that the point of the paragraph will be to enumerate the healthful benefits of running. Any discussion within the paragraph must be within the parameters of the controlling idea.
- Placement of the Topic Sentence:
- The topic sentences can be the first sentence of every paragraph.
- It can also be the second sentence with the main idea following a sentence connecting it to the previous paragraph. For example, if two adjoining paragraphs were about the costs of tourism and the local opportunities, the second paragraph might start like this: .
- The facts are obvious; the affordable pricing of recreational activities is necessary in order to attract tourists. But an abundance of opportunities will provide immense economic benefits to the locals.
- Oomph! (or energetic and exciting):
- The use of synonymous terms and related adjectives to avoid making a sentences look boring.
- e.g. If the topic sentence is: Bihar can be transformed if it has enough money. Same can be written in more energetic way:
- Given enough money, Bihar could get a makeover that would shock the world.
- But don’t overdo it. Simple sentences are good enough for our examination purpose.
- Whether the sentences contained or lacked oomph, we double-underline the topic and single-underline the main idea in topic sentences whenever we can.
- The sequence of the ideas discussed in essay (Order):
- Making choices about order can begin with the scattergram. In the scattergram, numbering the ideas before writing them into sentences is often an efficient method
- Time (Chronological) Order
- Time or chronological order is often choice #1. e.g. If the topic is related to federalism then we may want discuss how it evolved post independence in India in different phases, chronologically.
- Reverse time order is another option: the writer goes from the present to the most recent event of the past, then the next most recent, and so on, dealing with incidents traveling back along a time line.
- Building Order of Importance:
- The author uses this technique to build toward a climax. This strategy can be used in ordering a paragraph or an entire essay. A good fact is followed by a better one, then an even better one, and finally the best one.
- Most Obvious to Least Obvious:
- This order looks at the Big Picture and then the details. Within a paragraph, if the topic sentence has come first, the reader knows the topic and the main idea of that paragraph. The author can then support the main idea with specific details. In an essay, a thesis statement can explain the author’s main idea or proposition and then support it with the most obvious arguments, followed by ones that are less so.
- Known-to-New:
- This method is a wise choice if the essay is persuasive in nature. The author may begin with familiar material that gets the reader in agreement mode. New information is gradually added to build on the known.
- Coherence:
- It is about being clear, intelligible, and joined smoothly; having everything together so that it makes sense.
- As we focus on coherence at the essay writing stage, it is crucial to demonstrate coherence between paragraphs. As the essay is divided into paragraphs, the main ideas of the paragraphs are different. At the same time, there must be some relationship. To display coherence, the writer must assist the reader in seeing this connection.
- Often a transitional word or phrase can aid in joining ideas, in creating a smooth flow.
- Joining/Transitional Words:
- The concluding paragraph:
- Usually begins with a word or phrase that signals the ending.
- Lets the reader know that the essay is over. If it is done well, the reader would never turn the page.
- In some cases, the conclusion can be even more than an effective and definite ending; it can suggest what should or could happen next.
- Is frequently shorter than the body paragraphs.
- The final paragraph may start with a word or phrase that signals that the end is near: In conclusion, Now, Finally, It should now be clear, etc.
- Just as there are many forms of the introductory paragraph, there are several techniques that can be used in an effective concluding paragraph.
- Restating the Main Points:
- It can restate the key ideas, but using different wording. The idea may be repetitive in a productive way, not a redundant one. The challenge is to say the same thing but not the same way. e.g.
- Introductory paragraph: It may be helpful to understand the steps that is required to boost the development process of Bihar/India. Of equal importance is a basic knowledge of the economic strengths of Bihar/India. Finally, it may be nice to know the challenges that needs to be addressed to realise the full potential of the development of Bihar/India.
- Concluding paragraph: To conclude, if we want to enjoy the fruits of the development, we should remember the action that needs to be taken, and the favourable areas of the Bihar’s/India’s economy. Lastly, we should keep in mind the difficulties that must be dealt with before we taste the true development of Bihar/India.
- It can restate the key ideas, but using different wording. The idea may be repetitive in a productive way, not a redundant one. The challenge is to say the same thing but not the same way. e.g.
- The Future/Suggestions for Action/Way forward:
- The end of an essay may be the most suitable time to discuss what should happen next. Depending on the topic, it may be appropriate for the essay writer to do some prognosticating (predicting) about what the future may bring, or to suggest that the reader, having acquired newfound knowledge offered in the essay, could seek even further information.
- Questions:
- Whether or not questions were used in the introduction, they can be used in the conclusion. If they were used in the introduction, more can be asked in the conclusion. If they were not used to start, the end is a perfect time for students to try this technique. Basically rhetorical in nature, questions serve a similar purpose to the previous technique. They offer a springboard for the reader to seek more information about the topic, or at least to think about what lies ahead.
- For example:
- In conclusion, it should be obvious that why we take risks, who is responsible for the results, and when it is reasonable to put our lives on the line is a very personal set of questions. The most important question of all remains: In that split second when a major decision is required, will you have the foresight and the will power to do what you know is the right thing to do? (from the essay “Risk Taking” by Andrew S.)
- Personal Comment or Anecdote:
- Once again, if this technique wasn’t used in the introductory paragraph it makes an effective conclusion. If the essay writer used it earlier, the comment or anecdote can be reworded.
- Example of such conclusion: As we saw at the outset, Jane Doe had a big decision—one that affected her life, her baby’s life, and the lives of countless others around her. In this case, Jane kept the baby. It has been a story of triumph, of tears, of hopes, of sacrifice, of loneliness, of joy, and it will continue to be a life of wondering. Did I make the right decision? (from the essay “Abortion” by Jillian K.)
- Cyclic Return:
- The cyclic return performs the function of returning to the beginning of the cycle.
- The essay writer reminds the reader where this particular journey began. The main points may be restated, questions asked initially may be answered, a story begun may be finished, a quote given may be followed up with a comment.
- Restating the Main Points:
