2torial #0888:
Learn2 Write a Formal Essay

Do the write thing

You need to write a formal essay, and it's due in just 3 weeks. You're wondering, what is a formal essay? Do I have to put on a tux or party dress to write it? Well, it's not as intimidating as it sounds, and you can wear anything you please.

A formal essay is typically a two- to ten-page nonfiction piece containing stories, quotes, and facts that all work to either support or rebut a particular assertion. There are infinite presentation styles to choose from, and each teacher, writer, and instructional guidebook may offer different models. We'll show you how to get started and give you a foundation to build upon.

Read essays by other writers to see what they wrote about and how their work was constructed. If you're writing your essay for a class, ask your teacher if he or she can give you essays from previous students to read. You can also check your local library or bookstore for books that contain essays or information about them. Since essays, like all writing forms, can cover any topic imaginable, it shouldn't be hard to track down a few that interest you.

Develop a topic

Sometimes the hardest part of writing is figuring out what to write about. What if an editor asks you to write an essay about anything you choose, or your teacher gives you a general subject to work within--political issues or contemporary society, for example. How do you develop a specific focus? Instead of staring at a blank sheet of paper hoping for an idea, here are a few activities to try:

Brainstorming. Get together with a classmate or another writer and trade ideas. The object is to toss out ideas without regard to their connections. Eventually an idea may interest you enough to develop into an essay.

Free writing. Write nonstop without worrying about spelling or grammar, letting each idea lead you to the next. Don't think too much about what you're writing or even lift your pen. If you don't know how to begin, write, "I'm stuck," and describe the feelings you're experiencing. Follow thought tangents wherever they take you, and eventually you could come up with a suitable topic. Or, show your free writing to your brainstorming partner, who may be able to help you find a kernel of usable material.

Reading. Look through magazines, newspapers, books, or class notes, and determine what issues, questions, and stories had the biggest effect on you. Does anything in your reading anger, inspire, or puzzle you? Why not use it as a topic for your essay?

Create a thesis statement

Once you've developed a strong idea, it's time to make a statement about it. This thesis statement is usually expressed in one or two sentences, and will give direction to the entire essay. It's not simply a narrowed topic, but rather a direct assertion about a topic. When developing a thesis statement:

Don't make it too obvious. If you merely state the obvious, you may lose your reader's attention. For example, if your topic is "class size in school," it's too easy to say, "Big classes make it harder to talk to the teacher."

Turn your topic into a question and then answer it. This will help you determine the central idea of your essay. For example, your thesis question could be, "Does class size affect the learning experience?" To form a thesis statement, thoroughly answer your own question: "Small classes foster the development of a more productive educational experience."

Limit the scope. Ask yourself if you can make your thesis statement more focused. For example, it may narrow the scope of your thesis, if you change it to, "Small classes in larger universities foster more productive learning in literature and writing classes."

Note: Once you have a statement, show it to your teacher, editor, or brainstorming partner before you begin to write your essay. This person can help you further refine and focus your thesis.

Do your research

The more information you collect about your thesis statement, the better able you'll be to focus the scope of your essay and prove its assertions. Reading about your subject matter before you begin the writing process will open you up to new ideas and arguments, which you can use to verify and strengthen your own assertions. Besides locating books at your local library or bookstore, here are some other ways to get this research started:

Electronic databases. Many libraries have computer databases listing articles from newspapers, magazines, and journals.

Field research. Through surveys, interviews, and other means of direct observation, you can add authenticity to your essay. For example, an essay on class size in schools would benefit greatly from personal interviews with several students and teachers.

The Internet. By typing the name of your essay topic, or other related words, into an Internet search engine, you may find useful information. Check 2torial #0623: Search the Internet Effectively for more information.

Note: Make sure your information sources are appropriate to your topic, current, and most important, reliable. Use your own judgment when evaluating a source, but if you're in doubt, check with someone whose opinion you trust.

Write an introduction

An essay's introduction (the first paragraph or two) should catch the reader's interest, establish voice and tone, and reveal your thesis. Although there are infinite ways to start an essay, here are some commonly used techniques:

The upside-down pyramid. Start with a general sentence, and then gradually become more and more specific. Think of the first paragraph as an upside-down pyramid or funnel, in which the top one or two sentences are broad, and each sentence thereafter gets closer and closer to your topic, eventually leading down to the narrow thesis statement at the bottom.

Pose a question. Start by answering a question. For example, you could begin by asking, "Does the size of the class affect the amount a student learns?" and then provide your answer.

Tell a story. An interesting anecdote often works to grab the reader's attention and introduce a topic.

Tell the opposite. Start by refuting your thesis statement, and then spend the rest of the essay disproving that assertion.

Support your thesis

The body of the essay should support your thesis statement, and prove to the reader why it's true. Depending on the essay's length, the body should be at least three paragraphs, but it could be a lot longer. To help organize the body, devote each paragraph or two to a different anecdote, quote, argument, or piece of information, each of which works to reinforce the validity of your thesis statement. There's no limit to what you can include in the body of an essay, but here are a few suggestions:

Tell a story. Sharing a personal story about your own (or somebody else's) interest in the subject is a good way to get the reader to empathize.

Refer to a famous or notable person. Quoting or paraphrasing a well-known figure or an expert in the field can grab the reader's attention, and strengthen your thesis.

Reveal statistics and facts. Is there any data to support your thesis? Numbers, research studies, results of experiments, and other facts and figures could add weight to your argument.

Share original research. Report your own observations, results of experiments you've completed, or first-hand interviews you've conducted.

Tell the other point of view. It will make your thesis stronger if you acknowledge and refute any opposing points of view.

Wrap it up

A great conclusion leaves the reader with something to think about without repeating what's already been said. It should be one to two paragraphs in length. Within it, never ignore the evidence put forth in your own paper, or apologize for not having done better. Here are some techniques you can try:

Reflect on the meaning of your evidence. Refer to the stories, quotes, facts, or other information you've presented in the body of the essay, and reflect on their deeper meaning.

Offer a solution. If your essay is probing a problem or unresolved situation, offer a solution. For example, "Since it's apparent that small classes foster a more productive learning experience, state governments should include more money in their budgets for education, so that schools can hire more teachers."

Predict the future. Hypothesize what might happen in the days, weeks, or years to come. For example, if schools do receive more state government money, or if they don't, what will the results be?

Use a quotation. If you can find a quote that sums up your essay, or adds a new meaning to your thesis, it may work in your conclusion, as long as you elaborate on it.

Tell a story. One final anecdote can leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Enlist a peer editor

After you've completed a draft of your essay, show it to a classmate, friend, or teacher. A peer editor can be anybody willing to read your essay and offer feedback. To make sure you get the most constructive feedback, give him or her a list of questions, such as:

Are there any spelling or grammatical mistakes or typos? Have the person circle these proofreading issues.

Does the introduction grab the reader's attention? If not, perhaps the peer editor can offer a suggestion, or say why it doesn't work.

Is the thesis statement clear? Ask the peer editor to underline what he or she believes to be the thesis statement. If he or she can't, identify the thesis and ask for advice on how to make it sharper.

Is there sufficient information to back up the thesis statement? Ask for feedback about what works and what doesn't. Are there any points that need more explanation? Have you answered all the questions or concerns put forth in your introduction?

Does the conclusion wrap up the essay? Does it summarize your main points without repeating them? Does it offer a final view of the topic that couldn't have been reached without the supporting evidence?

Are there any general comments to make the paper better? The peer editor should feel free to elaborate, and you should take what is said as constructive criticism.

Knowing the basics of writing a formal essay takes you one step ahead of the class. Keep in mind, though, that the greatest teacher is the writing process itself. The more essays you write, the better you'll get at it.

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