Writing a (Good) Essay:
The Essentials
THESIS: This is the most important part of any non-creative writing that you do (that’s why it’s in a
bigger font, underlined, and in bold). If you have a good, specific thesis, your writing will have
organization and direction. If you have no thesis, your writing will collapse like a spineless jellyfish run
over by a freight train.
Zut alors! What is a
thesis?
A thesis is a one-sentence statement of what
you are trying to argue—or prove—in your
writing.
Sample theses: (Yes, the plural really is theses. I promise.)
≥ Although it may not look like much, the Super Deluxe EZ Toast Wizard is sure to become the
new household standard in toasters.
≥ In his short story “Stop the Sun,” Gary Paulsen uses style, characterization, and imagery to
effectively portray the difficult issues facing families of Vietnam veterans.
≥ Studying Chinese culture teaches American teenagers respect for elders and the importance of
education.
Check yourself: Is your thesis…
Writing a good thesis:
One sentence?
≥ Keep it simple. Don’t try to use a whole lot of
Clear and direct?
 Specific?
words (especially big ones) to try to sound smarter
Using strong verbs?
or more educated. Your readers will see right
 Free of the words “I,” “me,” and “my”?
through you.
≥ Keep it specific. A narrower thesis gives both you
and your readers direction, whereas a vague thesis is almost impossible to prove.
o Weak: September 11 was the greatest tragedy to ever occur on American soil. (How on
earth is anyone supposed to prove that?)
o Better: September 11 shook America to its core, and the nation still feels the effects. (Now
you’ve set yourself up to talk about the various effects. You could be even more specific
and identify in your thesis the areas where effects are still felt—economics, security, etc.)
≥ Pack a lot of punch with well-chosen words. Avoid weak and overused words, especially forms
of to be. The stronger your words, the more forceful your argument.
INTRODUCTION: Let’s face it: the introduction is often where you make it or break it as a writer. Your
readers will only give you a short amount of space to demonstrate that you’ve got something worthwhile
to say. (How many books, stories, etc. have you put down after the first paragraph or so failed to interest
you? Don’t assume your readers will be more generous with you. They won’t.) Start with something
catchy, end your introduction with your thesis, and then dig in!
Get your readers to swallow your bait—hook, line, and sinker—right
at the beginning by offering them something to pique their interest.
Once you’ve got that, you can reel them in slowly in the rest of your
essay.
Techniques for writing a smashing introduction:
≥ Dig up some unusual or curious fact about your topic. People love weird and quirky stuff, so you
might as well use it to get them interested in what you have to say.
o Example: Scientists have always wondered why the flapping bobo’s poop is green, but it is
a mystery whose solution eludes them. Green poop isn’t the only thing that makes the
flapping bobo unique—it’s also the only animal that regularly loses and regenerates its
eyes. In order for scientists to unlock all the secrets of this amazing creature, funds must
be set aside for research and testing.
≥ Don’t be afraid to quote. Either use an important or intriguing passage from your text, if you’re
analyzing literature, from one of your sources, or from an expert on your topic. Just make sure it’s
a bang-up quote that says whatever it says in a unique way.
o Example: “The upside down room had frightened Winnie all her life long. And now she
had to face it. She remembered what Lionel had said to her just last night. It’s no use
running away from fear, Winnie. It always finds you in the end, and then you must do the
thing you’ve always been afraid of anyway. The only true way to avoid fear is to face it.”
Thus Dexter Felham introduces the theme he develops throughout his novel Two Handfuls
of Pudding. Again and again, his characters show that fear has only the power one gives it.
≥ Paint a vivid scenario for the reader, one that puts him or her in a situation relevant to your topic.
Use vivid descriptions to make it come to life.
o Example: The man has a knife to the woman’s throat—the sharp steel blade glints in the
light of the streetlamp. She is frozen, motionless, her eyes wide with terror, her mouth
open in an “o,” though no sound emerges. It is an eerie tableau, and you watch from
across the street, frozen in your own inability
Check yourself: Does your introduction…
to act. Do you rush to save the woman, or do
Begin with a quote, a vivid description, or
you continue walking, deciding just to call
an interesting fact?
the cops when you get home? The reality is
 End with your thesis?
that while most Americans would do almost
 Contain a sentence or phrase to connect
anything for their families, the situation
the two?
determines whether or not they would come
to the aid of a stranger.
TRANSITIONS: It will annoy the snot out of your readers if you jump from one idea to another, or from
one paragraph to another, without any rhyme or reason. The simple solution: use transitions. I know, I
know, you’ve probably been told to use these since second grade. But transitions don’t have to hit you
over the head. Instead of using the super old school ones, like “the first reason,” “second,” or “as you
can see,” jazz them up and use more subtle ones. Try more sophisticated transitions, like “Not only does
the Super Deluxe EZ Toast Wizard have room for twelve slices of toast, it also has a burn prevention
censor.”
Remember: The purpose of a transition is to connect what you said before with what you’re
getting ready to say next.
CONCLUSION: This is the capstone of your essay—your last chance to get your point across to your
reader and make a lasting impression! Briefly restate your argument, then try one of these techniques to
go out with a bang like the fireworks finale on the Fourth of July:
≥ End with a thought-provoking question.
≥ Apply your conclusion globally—how does it relate to society and the rest of the world?
≥ Give a final direct quotation.
≥ Make a prediction based on your thesis.