Guide to Writing a Basic Essay

An essay can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the same no matter what. If you follow a few simple steps, you
will find that the essay almost writes itself. You will be responsible only for supplying ideas, which are the important part of
the essay anyway.
These simple steps will guide you through the essay writing process:
Decide on your topic. Write the sub points.
Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas. Elaborate on the sub points.
Write your thesis statement. Write the introduction.
Write the body. Write the conclusion.
Write the main points. 10.Add the finishing touches.
Choose a Topic for Your Essay
Topic Has Been Assigned
You may have no choice as to your topic. If this is the case, you still may not be ready to jump to the next step. Think about
the type of paper you are expected to produce. Should it be a general overview, or a specific analysis of the topic? If it
should be an overview, then you are probably ready to move to the next step. If it should be a specific analysis, make sure
your topic is fairly specific. If it is too general, you must choose a narrower subtopic to discuss. For example, the topic
"KENYA" is a general one. If your objective is to write an overview, this topic is suitable. If your objective is to write a
specific analysis, this topic is too general. You must narrow it to something like "Politics in Kenya" or "Kenya's Culture."
Once you have determined that your topic will be suitable, you can move on.
Organize Your Ideas
The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put your ideas about the topic on paper, in a moderately organized format. The
structure you create here may still change before the essay is complete, so don't agonize over this.
Diagram
1. Begin your diagram with a circle in the middle of the page.
2. Inside the circle, write your topic.
3. From your center circle, draw three or four lines out into the page. Be sure to spread them out.
4. At the end of each of these lines, draw another circle.
5. In each circle, write the main ideas that you have about your topic, or the main points that you want to make.
If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best arguments.
If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps that should be followed.
You will probably need to group these into categories. If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories, try using
Beginning, Middle, and End.
If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major categories into which your information can be divided.
6. From each of your main ideas, draw three or four lines out into the page.
7. At the end of each of these lines, draw another circle.
8. In each circle, write the facts or information that support that main idea.
When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essay and are ready to continue.
Outline
1. Begin your outline by writing your topic at the top of the page.
2. Next, write the Roman numerals I, II, and III, spread apart down the left side of the page.
3. Next to each Roman numeral, write the main ideas that you have about your topic, or the main points you want to make.
4. Under each Roman numeral, write A, B, and C down the left side of the page.
5. Next to each letter, write the facts or information that supports that main idea.
When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essay and are ready to continue.
Compose a Thesis Statement
Now that you have decided, at least tentatively, what information you plan to present in your essay, you are ready to write
your thesis statement. The thesis statement tells the reader what the essay will be about, and what point you, the author, will
be making. You know what the essay will be about. That was your topic. Now you must look at your outline or diagram and
decide what point you will be making. What do the main ideas and supporting ideas that you listed say about your topic?
Your thesis statement will have two parts.
The first part states the topic.
Kenya's Culture
Building a Model Train Set
Public Transportation
The second part states the point of the essay.
has a rich and varied history
takes time and patience
can solve some of our city's most persistent and pressing problems
Once you have formulated a thesis statement that fits this pattern and with which you are comfortable, you can continue.
Write the Body Paragraphs
In the body of the essay, all the preparation up to this point comes to fruition. The topic you have chosen must now be
explained, described, or argued. Each main idea that you wrote down in your diagram or outline will become one of the
body paragraphs. If you had three or four main ideas, you will have three or four body paragraphs.
Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure.
1. Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in sentence form.
If your main idea is "reduces freeway congestion," you might say this:
Public transportation reduces freeway congestion.
2. Next, write down each of your supporting points for that main idea, but leave four or five lines in between each point.
3. In the space under each point, write down some elaboration for that point.
Elaboration can be further description or explanation or discussion.
Supporting Point
Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public transportation rather than driving.
Elaboration
Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil changes.
Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well.
In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of riding public transportation.

Once you have fleshed out each of your body paragraphs, one for each main point, you are ready to continue.
Write the Introduction and Conclusion
These paragraphs will give the reader a point of entry to and a point of exit from your essay.
Introduction
The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give her an idea of the essay's focus.
1. Begin with an attention grabber.
The attention grabber you use is up to you, but here are some ideas:
Startling information
This information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't need to be totally new to your readers. It could simply be a
pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to make. If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with
a sentence or two of elaboration.
Anecdote
An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point. Be sure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant to your topic. This
can be a very effective opener for your essay, but use it carefully.
Summary Information
A few sentences explaining your topic in general terms can lead the reader gently to your thesis. Each sentence should
become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis.
2. If the attention grabber was only a sentence or two, add one or two more sentences that will lead the reader from your
opening to your thesis statement.
3. Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement.
Conclusion
The conclusion brings closure to the reader, summing up your points or providing a final perspective on your topic. All the
conclusion needs is three or four strong sentences which do not need to follow any set formula. Simply review the main
points (being careful not to restate them exactly) or briefly describe your feelings about the topic. Even an anecdote can end
your essay in a useful way. The introduction and conclusion complete the paragraphs of your essay.
Add the Finishing Touches
Check the order of your paragraphs.
Look at your paragraphs. Which one is the strongest? You might want to start with the strongest paragraph, end with the
second strongest, and put the weakest in the middle. Whatever order you decide on, be sure it makes sense. If your paper is
describing a process, you will probably need to stick to the order in which the steps must be completed.
Check the instructions for the assignment.
When you prepare a final draft, you must be sure to follow all of the instructions you have been given.
Check your writing.
Read and reread your paper.
Does it make logical sense?
Do the sentences flow smoothly from one another?
If not, try to add some words and phrases to help connect them. Transition words, such as "therefore" or "however,"
sometimes help. Also, you might refer in one sentence to a thought in the previous sentence.
This is especially useful when you move from one paragraph to another.
Once you have checked your work and perfected your formatting, your essay is finished.