One of the things I battled with most in high school was essays. While I think I am currently a pretty good writer, as a teenager, I just didn’t get it! I managed OK with the spelling and grammar side of things, it was the lack of imagination and structure that I battled with! It was only when I started my tertiary studies that things started making a little more sense and I fell into the swing of things. Perhaps I didn’t have a good English teacher in high school, or maybe my brain hadn’t quite clicked into “English mode” at the time, whatever the reasoning, I do know one thing, the following pointers would have helped a ton!

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Tips On How To Write A Good Essay

 
1. Start with a topic. If you are not assigned a topic, then coming up with your own could possibly be the hardest part of your essay. But it is important to have your topic before you write your content, since it gives you an objective to work towards. Writing the essay and then coming up with a title is likely to leave your body and message confusing to your readers. So, title first, and then stick to the objective!
2. Draw! Yes, draw. Create a spider diagram or the likes, this will help give you purpose and direction. Center your title/topic in the middle and then draw lines to points you would like to mention and discuss. You can then divide these points into subtitles.
3. Write an introduction. An introduction is not only a piece of writing that encourages your readers to continue reading, it is also there for the writer to pick up momentum and get into the “swing” of things. And introduction should be limited to a paragraph or two and must include the intent of the essay.
4. Add the body. Do yourself a favor and use subtitles in your body. This keeps you from straying away from the essay's objectives. 
5. Don’t rush your conclusion. I used to do this all the time, and I would lose marks because of it! I’d get to the end and finish my work off in a rush. Not only did I make silly mistakes, but it would be a bit of an anti-climax, even if the rest of the writing was good. My advice to you is to take a break, and do the conclusion on its own, this way your mind is refreshed and you will take this part of the essay a bit more seriously.
6. Proof read. Go over your work at least twice, and then ask a family member of friend to revise it for you too. We make so many small and silly mistakes that often one pair of eyes is not enough to pick up the errors. 

To some, these simple steps might seem obvious, but if you are like how I was in school, these tips are what might just hit that “aha” switch. Essays might seem like a schlep to some, but this most likely because they don’t know how to do it right! 

Still not too sure how to compile a good read, or perhaps English is not your first language? Please contact one of the editors @blue-pencil for assistance. Or chat to me @sweetpea – together we can help your post receive more views and upvotes!

Much love - @sweetpea

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