This is a guest post written by our friend Lucy Adams. She is a writer and blogger from Buzz Essay – a home for many talented essay writers. Lucy is a generalist able to cover a wide range of topics, from marketing to women themes. Feel free to contact Lucy and to check out Buzz Essay.

Writing an essay is a challenge for most students. If you haven’t yet honed the algorithm and applied some tricks, the information below is just for you!

If you want to write a great essay, prepare to rewrite it several times, try several approaches and make sure that each sentence conveys your message.

To begin, let’s get back to basics and consider the common types of essays:

Opinion Essay. In this type of essay, you express thoughts on a given topic, but one could argue that any work is an expression of thoughts. So, what’s the difference? Opinion essays, should not just reflect your point of view, but also look at the proposed topic from different perspectives. Consider all aspects of the question, write your personal opinion and be sure to confirm it with valid arguments. Here is the typical organization for this type of essay:
- Introduction, in which you state the problem.
- The main part, in which you bring arguments “for” and “against.”
- Conclusion, in which you express your attitude toward the subject.
For and Against. The name speaks for itself; you bring arguments “for” and “against” any phenomenon. As a rule, such essays are organized as follows:
- Introduction, in which you specify the subject.
- The main part, in which you express your opinion. Here you can also consider the opinion that is contrary to yours and explain to the reader why you do not share this view.
- Conclusion, in which you sum up your views on the topic.
Suggesting Solutions to the Problem. In this kind of essay, you consider a global problem or issue and try to find solutions. The plan for this type of essay is as follows:
- Introduction, in which you specify the problem along with its causes and consequences.
- The main part, in which you offer solutions to the problem and the possible consequences of such actions, clearly arguing why certain measures should be taken.
- Conclusion, in which you summarize your reasoning.

Now that you understand the basic types of essay formats, here are some tips that will help you create the perfect essay.

#1 Carefully Pick a Topic

Sometimes, the hardest part of the process is to pick the topic and start writing (of course, if you have your topic assigned, this is half the battle).

Once you have your topic, don’t rush to work. Even if you have collected a lot of material, you may face difficulties. Keep in mind the goal of the essay and the benefit you want to come of it.

Instead of wasting time on unnecessary thoughts, try the following exercise: set an alarm for 3 a.m. and ask yourself this question when you wake up. You will be surprised at how many interesting ideas come to your mind. Do this a few nights in a row and you’ll likely find a few interesting approaches to the question.

A few sleepless nights may be worth it!☺

#2 Prepare Sketches and Take Your Time

Before writing the first draft, decide what ideas you would like to reveal and match them with the information you’ve collected. You may need to do further research before sitting down to write the first draft.

Everyone works in a different way. For some, it’s easier to concentrate in the morning, while others do their best work at night. Some prefer to hand write the first draft on the paper, while for others, typing is easier. Make a plan based on how you work best.

On average, an essay takes about 40 working hours – that includes the time you need to write rough drafts, edit and proofread. Make sure you have allocated enough time to do your best work. It takes time to develop the perfect essay from a couple of interesting ideas.

#3 Write a Thesis Statement

To begin, write a few introductory sentences that will gently lead the reader to the main idea. Highlight the main issues and add a bit of intrigue.

Next, you need to formulate a thesis statement based on the proposed topic. The thesis is the basic idea that you wish to prove in the essay. This is a place for rigor and conciseness. Properly formulate the thesis, and you will push yourself to write a beautiful and structured piece.

#4 Body, Arguments, and Examples

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the proposed issues and solutions, you need to logically support your point of view. Therefore, try to explain your position by offering logical and consistent arguments. Don’t contradict yourself, even if you look at the problem from different angles.

Use examples that effectively highlight your opinions. Be sure these examples strengthen the basic idea. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box: music, art, sports, business and other spheres may bring you a perfect example to illustrate your thinking. Ultimately, it all depends on your ability to conduct a thorough search and connect the dots.

One word of caution: don’t overdo it. Excessive use of examples will distract the reader from the essence of the essay. Stick to the topic and know when to stop.

#5 Conclusion

Finally, you have to provide the reader with a concise conclusion. While the conclusion may be the smallest piece of the essay, it is often the most important. Don’t rush through this part of the process. Make sure you clearly state the conclusion and that it logically follows from the information you have provided.

Not all essays will require you to wrap up the ending so nicely, some topics may allow for an uncertain ending. This method can be an effective way to finish an essay on the abstract theme – leaving the reader the ability to make their own interpretation.

Bonus Tip:

You always want to arrange essays in a way that clearly presents the main idea and provides vivid images. One option for adding imagery is through quotations from other literary works. Epithets, metaphors, hyperboles are at your service! They will help you add interest to the essay, but, as mentioned above, you need to know when to stop. Sometimes, less is more.