HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY (published 3-13-2022; article #302)

 Introduction

Good Sunday afternoon, y'all! To East Tennessee readers, the blizzard of March 2022 is behind us. The weather is sunny and a balmy fortyish degrees!

The purpose of this essay is to help readers, who want to know how to write an essay. An essay is a concise article. I have 302 essays, on this website.

I have been writing, since grade school. I wrote poems at first. I have my poetic writings, saved in a notebook. This website journal started on 3/6/2006. I have an almost complete, but not yet published, book, “Light at the End of the Tunnel.” I write in English, but I have written in Russian – when Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I lived in Moscow (10/1/1994 to 9/30/1999).

The Three-Step Process

(or Three-Legged Stool)

A three-legged stool will hold weight. Your essay needs to be weighty!

Step One – Topic: a plethora of thoughts inspire a writer. The fullness of the writer's mind is the start. I had to write my article yesterday! The humor of spring snow on spring forward day had to be published!

Engage your mind! What interests you? Think about a topic. Your life experiences help. Research and study. A writer is a learner. Use sound and valid reasoning. (Well, some folks don't know what that is, as you know, if you keep up with “poly-tics!”)

Do you have your topic selected? Have you thought about it? Have you done your research (as needed)? Good! My topic today is on how to write an essay. I didn't need to research! I've been doing this a few decades!

Step Two – Proposition: narrow your focus. Many creeks flow to one river. The river is the topic. Unless you are writing a book, you must pick a creek, for an essay. The creek that you pick is your proposition. Organize your thoughts and research. Determine what you want to say.

Yesterday, my topic was weather. My proposition was the humor of spring snow on spring forward day! In logic, a proposition has an “if then” factor. For example, if the temperature drops enough, then the rain will turn to snow – on spring forward day!

Step Three – Body: not the human body! (I heard one or two make a joke!) Your essay needs an introduction, main point (or points), and conclusion. This essay is an example. Are you still reading? I thought so! We've been in the body section of this essay a while. (No jokes, please!)

The introduction catches the reader's attention and states the purpose of your essay. The reader is motivated to read further!

The main point (or points) contain what you want to say. Write about the creek you are on. Write as you speak (without those ugly words)! Be natural. Be yourself. Organizing your thoughts into words takes time. Don't rush! The words will flow, when they are ready in your mind. This “The Three-Step Process (or Three-Legged Stool)” section is the body of this essay.

The conclusion is your “wrap up” section. A conclusion can be a final summary of your main point(s). It can be a “call to action,” based on your main point(s). It confirms your introduction.

Conclusion

I hope this essay helped my readers learn how to write an essay! If so, then I am pleased.

For additional essay writing help, I suggest Scribbr (https://www.scribbr.com/). “The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples” has good information. This essay demonstrates paragraph structure, style, punctuation, and grammar. I had outstanding English teachers, in grade school and high school. They helped me develop my God-given talent, in public speaking and writing.

Do not look for essay writing services! I did a “Gaggle” search on that. If you pay folks, they will help you write, or write for you, your essays. That's lazy. An inspired writer does not want a essay writing service to “ghost write.”

A wise college professor told us “preacher boys:” ”reading makes an educated person, speaking makes a ready person, and writing makes an exact person.”

Write inspired and exacting essays out there, y'all! I hope that I have helped!