how to write a question for an essay

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The Writing Guide

• The First Thing
• Step 1: Understanding the essay question

Identify task, content & limiting words in the essay question

Words, words, words..., academic writing webinar part 1.

• Step 2: Critical note-taking
• Step 3: Planning your assignment
• Step 4a: Effective writing
• Step 4b: Summarizing & paraphrasing
• Step 4c: Academic language
• Step 5: Editing and reviewing
• Getting started with research
• Working with keywords
• Evaluating sources
• Research file
• Reading Smarter
• Sample Essay
• What, why, where, when, who?
• Referencing styles
• Writing Resources
• Exams and Essay Questions

Essay topics contain key words that explain what information is required and how it is to be presented.  Using the essay question below indentify task content & limiting words.  Regardless of your topic or discipline, if you can identify these words in your essay topic, you can begin to consider what you will need to do to answer the question.

Task words : These are words that tell you what to do, for example “compare”, “discuss”, “critically evaluate”, “explain” etc.

Content words : These words in the essay topic will tell you which ideas and concepts should form the knowledge base of the assignment. Refer to subject specific dictionary or glossary.

Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays. Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.

Before you scroll down to the next box, what can you unpack from this topic? What are you actually going to look for in a search tool like One Search? What are you supposed to do?

• Content Words
• Limiting Words
• Context Words

Task words are usually verbs and they tell you what to do to complete your assignment.

You need to identify these words, because you will need to follow these instructions to pass the assignment.  As you research and write your assignment, check these words occasionally to make sure you are still doing what you have been asked to do.

Here are some definitions of different academic task words.  Make sure you know exactly what you need to do for your assignment.

Don't try to use them in your research - they aren't things to find, only things to do.

The task words from our sample question are:

Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays. Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.

• Discuss means to "consider and offer an interpretation or evaluation of something; or give a judgment on the value of arguments for and against something"
• Examine means to inspect something in detail and investigate the implications

So, you would need to give a short description of what essay writing is all about, and then offer an evaluation of the essay structure and the way it presents content.

• Task Words Here are some definitions of different academic task words. Make sure you know exactly what you need to do for your assignment.

The content words are the "meat" of the question - these are things you can research.

Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays . Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content .

You will often be asked to talk about "the role" something plays or "processes", "importance", "methods" or "implementations" - but you can't really research these things just by looking for those words.

You need to find the keywords - the most concrete concepts - and search for those.  The information you find about the concrete terms will tell you about the "roles" and "methods", the "process" or the "importance", but they probably won't use those words exactly.

One of the core skills of academic research is learning to extrapolate :  to find the connections in the information you can find that will help you answer the questions which don't have clear, cut-and-dry answers in the books and articles.

So, the core keywords/concepts to research are:

• "academic writing"
• "higher education"
• structure and content

Limiting words keep you focused on a particular area, and stop you from trying to research everything in the history of mankind.

They could limit you by:

• Time (you may be asked to focus on the last 5 years, or the late 20th Century, for example)
• Place (you may be asked to focus on Australia, or Queensland, or South-East Asia)
• People groups (such as "women over the age of 50" or "people from low socio-economic backgrounds" or "Australians of Asian descent")
• Extent (you are only to look at a particular area, or the details you believe are most relevant or appropriate).

In this example, you have two limits:

• "higher education" is the industry focus. This could be expanded to include the tertiary or university sector.
• Essays - we are concentrating on essay writing as the aspect of communication.  Note that this is also a content word. There can be (and usually is) some crossover.

Sometimes it can help to add your own limits .  With health sciences, you almost always limit your research to the last five or six years. Social sciences  are not as strict with the date range but it's still a good idea to keep it recent.  You could specifically look at the Australian context.  You may decide to focus on the private sector within that industry.

With the question above you could limit yourself to only looking at first year university students.

Sometimes an assignment task will give you phrases or sentences that aren't part of the task at all:  they exist to give you some context .

These can be ignored when you do your research, but you should read over them occasionally as you are writing your assignment.  They help you know what the lecturer was thinking about (and wanted you to think about) when they set that task.

Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays . Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.

You don't have to do anything with the first sentence of this question - but it does get you to think specifically about the "using essays to communicate knoweldge" - something that isn't mentioned in the task itself.

Obviously, whoever wrote the task wants you to think about the assignments as a form of writing and communication.

It is easy to get distracted and go off on tangents when doing your research .  Use the context words to  help you keep your focus where it should be.

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• Next: Step 2: Critical note-taking >>
• Last Updated: Jul 12, 2024 4:02 PM
• URL: https://libguides.jcu.edu.au/writing

Essay Exams

What this handout is about.

At some time in your undergraduate career, you’re going to have to write an essay exam. This thought can inspire a fair amount of fear: we struggle enough with essays when they aren’t timed events based on unknown questions. The goal of this handout is to give you some easy and effective strategies that will help you take control of the situation and do your best.

Why do instructors give essay exams?

Essay exams are a useful tool for finding out if you can sort through a large body of information, figure out what is important, and explain why it is important. Essay exams challenge you to come up with key course ideas and put them in your own words and to use the interpretive or analytical skills you’ve practiced in the course. Instructors want to see whether:

• You understand concepts that provide the basis for the course
• You can use those concepts to interpret specific materials
• You can make connections, see relationships, draw comparisons and contrasts
• You can synthesize diverse information in support of an original assertion
• You can justify your own evaluations based on appropriate criteria
• You can argue your own opinions with convincing evidence
• You can think critically and analytically about a subject

What essay questions require

Exam questions can reach pretty far into the course materials, so you cannot hope to do well on them if you do not keep up with the readings and assignments from the beginning of the course. The most successful essay exam takers are prepared for anything reasonable, and they probably have some intelligent guesses about the content of the exam before they take it. How can you be a prepared exam taker? Try some of the following suggestions during the semester:

• Do the reading as the syllabus dictates; keeping up with the reading while the related concepts are being discussed in class saves you double the effort later.
• Go to lectures (and put away your phone, the newspaper, and that crossword puzzle!).
• Take careful notes that you’ll understand months later. If this is not your strong suit or the conventions for a particular discipline are different from what you are used to, ask your TA or the Learning Center for advice.
• Participate in your discussion sections; this will help you absorb the material better so you don’t have to study as hard.
• Organize small study groups with classmates to explore and review course materials throughout the semester. Others will catch things you might miss even when paying attention. This is not cheating. As long as what you write on the essay is your own work, formulating ideas and sharing notes is okay. In fact, it is a big part of the learning process.
• As an exam approaches, find out what you can about the form it will take. This will help you forecast the questions that will be on the exam, and prepare for them.

These suggestions will save you lots of time and misery later. Remember that you can’t cram weeks of information into a single day or night of study. So why put yourself in that position?

Now let’s focus on studying for the exam. You’ll notice the following suggestions are all based on organizing your study materials into manageable chunks of related material. If you have a plan of attack, you’ll feel more confident and your answers will be more clear. Here are some tips: 

• Don’t just memorize aimlessly; clarify the important issues of the course and use these issues to focus your understanding of specific facts and particular readings.
• Try to organize and prioritize the information into a thematic pattern. Look at what you’ve studied and find a way to put things into related groups. Find the fundamental ideas that have been emphasized throughout the course and organize your notes into broad categories. Think about how different categories relate to each other.
• Find out what you don’t know, but need to know, by making up test questions and trying to answer them. Studying in groups helps as well.

Taking the exam

Read the exam carefully.

• If you are given the entire exam at once and can determine your approach on your own, read the entire exam before you get started.
• Look at how many points each part earns you, and find hints for how long your answers should be.
• Figure out how much time you have and how best to use it. Write down the actual clock time that you expect to take in each section, and stick to it. This will help you avoid spending all your time on only one section. One strategy is to divide the available time according to percentage worth of the question. You don’t want to spend half of your time on something that is only worth one tenth of the total points.
• As you read, make tentative choices of the questions you will answer (if you have a choice). Don’t just answer the first essay question you encounter. Instead, read through all of the options. Jot down really brief ideas for each question before deciding.
• Remember that the easiest-looking question is not always as easy as it looks. Focus your attention on questions for which you can explain your answer most thoroughly, rather than settle on questions where you know the answer but can’t say why.

Analyze the questions

• Decide what you are being asked to do. If you skim the question to find the main “topic” and then rush to grasp any related ideas you can recall, you may become flustered, lose concentration, and even go blank. Try looking closely at what the question is directing you to do, and try to understand the sort of writing that will be required.
• Focus on what you do know about the question, not on what you don’t.
• Look at the active verbs in the assignment—they tell you what you should be doing. We’ve included some of these below, with some suggestions on what they might mean. (For help with this sort of detective work, see the Writing Center handout titled Reading Assignments.)

Information words, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject. Information words may include:

• define—give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning.
• explain why/how—give reasons why or examples of how something happened.
• illustrate—give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject.
• summarize—briefly cover the important ideas you learned about the subject.
• trace—outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form.
• research—gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you’ve found.

Relation words ask you to demonstrate how things are connected. Relation words may include:

• compare—show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different).
• contrast—show how two or more things are dissimilar.
• apply—use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation.
• cause—show how one event or series of events made something else happen.
• relate—show or describe the connections between things.

Interpretation words ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Don’t see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation. Interpretation words may include:

• prove, justify—give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth.
• evaluate, respond, assess—state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons (you may want to compare your subject to something else).
• support—give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe).
• synthesize—put two or more things together that haven’t been put together before; don’t just summarize one and then the other, and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together (as opposed to compare and contrast—see above).
• analyze—look closely at the components of something to figure out how it works, what it might mean, or why it is important.
• argue—take a side and defend it (with proof) against the other side.

Plan your answers

Think about your time again. How much planning time you should take depends on how much time you have for each question and how many points each question is worth. Here are some general guidelines: 

• For short-answer definitions and identifications, just take a few seconds. Skip over any you don’t recognize fairly quickly, and come back to them when another question jogs your memory.
• For answers that require a paragraph or two, jot down several important ideas or specific examples that help to focus your thoughts.
• For longer answers, you will need to develop a much more definite strategy of organization. You only have time for one draft, so allow a reasonable amount of time—as much as a quarter of the time you’ve allotted for the question—for making notes, determining a thesis, and developing an outline.
• For questions with several parts (different requests or directions, a sequence of questions), make a list of the parts so that you do not miss or minimize one part. One way to be sure you answer them all is to number them in the question and in your outline.
• You may have to try two or three outlines or clusters before you hit on a workable plan. But be realistic—you want a plan you can develop within the limited time allotted for your answer. Your outline will have to be selective—not everything you know, but what you know that you can state clearly and keep to the point in the time available.

Again, focus on what you do know about the question, not on what you don’t.

Writing your answers

As with planning, your strategy for writing depends on the length of your answer:

• For short identifications and definitions, it is usually best to start with a general identifying statement and then move on to describe specific applications or explanations. Two sentences will almost always suffice, but make sure they are complete sentences. Find out whether the instructor wants definition alone, or definition and significance. Why is the identification term or object important?
• For longer answers, begin by stating your forecasting statement or thesis clearly and explicitly. Strive for focus, simplicity, and clarity. In stating your point and developing your answers, you may want to use important course vocabulary words from the question. For example, if the question is, “How does wisteria function as a representation of memory in Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom?” you may want to use the words wisteria, representation, memory, and Faulkner) in your thesis statement and answer. Use these important words or concepts throughout the answer.
• If you have devised a promising outline for your answer, then you will be able to forecast your overall plan and its subpoints in your opening sentence. Forecasting impresses readers and has the very practical advantage of making your answer easier to read. Also, if you don’t finish writing, it tells your reader what you would have said if you had finished (and may get you partial points).
• You might want to use briefer paragraphs than you ordinarily do and signal clear relations between paragraphs with transition phrases or sentences.
• As you move ahead with the writing, you may think of new subpoints or ideas to include in the essay. Stop briefly to make a note of these on your original outline. If they are most appropriately inserted in a section you’ve already written, write them neatly in the margin, at the top of the page, or on the last page, with arrows or marks to alert the reader to where they fit in your answer. Be as neat and clear as possible.
• Don’t pad your answer with irrelevancies and repetitions just to fill up space. Within the time available, write a comprehensive, specific answer.
• Watch the clock carefully to ensure that you do not spend too much time on one answer. You must be realistic about the time constraints of an essay exam. If you write one dazzling answer on an exam with three equally-weighted required questions, you earn only 33 points—not enough to pass at most colleges. This may seem unfair, but keep in mind that instructors plan exams to be reasonably comprehensive. They want you to write about the course materials in two or three or more ways, not just one way. Hint: if you finish a half-hour essay in 10 minutes, you may need to develop some of your ideas more fully.
• If you run out of time when you are writing an answer, jot down the remaining main ideas from your outline, just to show that you know the material and with more time could have continued your exposition.
• Double-space to leave room for additions, and strike through errors or changes with one straight line (avoid erasing or scribbling over). Keep things as clean as possible. You never know what will earn you partial credit.
• Write legibly and proofread. Remember that your instructor will likely be reading a large pile of exams. The more difficult they are to read, the more exasperated the instructor might become. Your instructor also cannot give you credit for what they cannot understand. A few minutes of careful proofreading can improve your grade.

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind in writing essay exams is that you have a limited amount of time and space in which to get across the knowledge you have acquired and your ability to use it. Essay exams are not the place to be subtle or vague. It’s okay to have an obvious structure, even the five-paragraph essay format you may have been taught in high school. Introduce your main idea, have several paragraphs of support—each with a single point defended by specific examples, and conclude with a restatement of your main point and its significance.

Some physiological tips

Just think—we expect athletes to practice constantly and use everything in their abilities and situations in order to achieve success. Yet, somehow many students are convinced that one day’s worth of studying, no sleep, and some well-placed compliments (“Gee, Dr. So-and-so, I really enjoyed your last lecture”) are good preparation for a test. Essay exams are like any other testing situation in life: you’ll do best if you are prepared for what is expected of you, have practiced doing it before, and have arrived in the best shape to do it. You may not want to believe this, but it’s true: a good night’s sleep and a relaxed mind and body can do as much or more for you as any last-minute cram session. Colleges abound with tales of woe about students who slept through exams because they stayed up all night, wrote an essay on the wrong topic, forgot everything they studied, or freaked out in the exam and hyperventilated. If you are rested, breathing normally, and have brought along some healthy, energy-boosting snacks that you can eat or drink quietly, you are in a much better position to do a good job on the test. You aren’t going to write a good essay on something you figured out at 4 a.m. that morning. If you prepare yourself well throughout the semester, you don’t risk your whole grade on an overloaded, undernourished brain.

If for some reason you get yourself into this situation, take a minute every once in a while during the test to breathe deeply, stretch, and clear your brain. You need to be especially aware of the likelihood of errors, so check your essays thoroughly before you hand them in to make sure they answer the right questions and don’t have big oversights or mistakes (like saying “Hitler” when you really mean “Churchill”).

If you tend to go blank during exams, try studying in the same classroom in which the test will be given. Some research suggests that people attach ideas to their surroundings, so it might jog your memory to see the same things you were looking at while you studied.

Try good luck charms. Bring in something you associate with success or the support of your loved ones, and use it as a psychological boost.

Take all of the time you’ve been allotted. Reread, rework, and rethink your answers if you have extra time at the end, rather than giving up and handing the exam in the minute you’ve written your last sentence. Use every advantage you are given.

Remember that instructors do not want to see you trip up—they want to see you do well. With this in mind, try to relax and just do the best you can. The more you panic, the more mistakes you are liable to make. Put the test in perspective: will you die from a poor performance? Will you lose all of your friends? Will your entire future be destroyed? Remember: it’s just a test.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. 2016. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing , 11th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Fowler, Ramsay H., and Jane E. Aaron. 2016. The Little, Brown Handbook , 13th ed. Boston: Pearson.

Gefvert, Constance J. 1988. The Confident Writer: A Norton Handbook , 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Kirszner, Laurie G. 1988. Writing: A College Rhetoric , 2nd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Woodman, Leonara, and Thomas P. Adler. 1988. The Writer’s Choices , 2nd ed. Northbrook, Illinois: Scott Foresman.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Writing Essays for Exams

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What is a well written answer to an essay question?

Well Focused

Be sure to answer the question completely, that is, answer all parts of the question. Avoid "padding." A lot of rambling and ranting is a sure sign that the writer doesn't really know what the right answer is and hopes that somehow, something in that overgrown jungle of words was the correct answer.

Well Organized

Don't write in a haphazard "think-as-you-go" manner. Do some planning and be sure that what you write has a clearly marked introduction which both states the point(s) you are going to make and also, if possible, how you are going to proceed. In addition, the essay should have a clearly indicated conclusion which summarizes the material covered and emphasizes your thesis or main point.

Well Supported

Do not just assert something is true, prove it. What facts, figures, examples, tests, etc. prove your point? In many cases, the difference between an A and a B as a grade is due to the effective use of supporting evidence.

Well Packaged

People who do not use conventions of language are thought of by their readers as less competent and less educated. If you need help with these or other writing skills, come to the Writing Lab

How do you write an effective essay exam?

• Read through all the questions carefully.
• Budget your time and decide which question(s) you will answer first.
• Underline the key word(s) which tell you what to do for each question.
• Choose an organizational pattern appropriate for each key word and plan your answers on scratch paper or in the margins.
• Write your answers as quickly and as legibly as you can; do not take the time to recopy.
• Begin each answer with one or two sentence thesis which summarizes your answer. If possible, phrase the statement so that it rephrases the question's essential terms into a statement (which therefore directly answers the essay question).
• Support your thesis with specific references to the material you have studied.
• Proofread your answer and correct errors in spelling and mechanics.

Specific organizational patterns and "key words"

Most essay questions will have one or more "key words" that indicate which organizational pattern you should use in your answer. The six most common organizational patterns for essay exams are definition, analysis, cause and effect, comparison/contrast, process analysis, and thesis-support.

Typical questions

• "Define X."
• "What is an X?"
• "Choose N terms from the following list and define them."

Q: "What is a fanzine?"

A: A fanzine is a magazine written, mimeographed, and distributed by and for science fiction or comic strip enthusiasts.

Avoid constructions such as "An encounter group is where ..." and "General semantics is when ... ."

• State the term to be defined.
• State the class of objects or concepts to which the term belongs.
• Differentiate the term from other members of the class by listing the term's distinguishing characteristics.

Tools you can use

• Details which describe the term
• Examples and incidents
• Comparisons to familiar terms
• Negation to state what the term is not
• Classification (i.e., break it down into parts)
• Examination of origins or causes
• Examination of results, effects, or uses

Analysis involves breaking something down into its components and discovering the parts that make up the whole.

• "Analyze X."
• "What are the components of X?"
• "What are the five different kinds of X?"
• "Discuss the different types of X."

Q: "Discuss the different services a junior college offers a community."

A: Thesis: A junior college offers the community at least three main types of educational services: vocational education for young people, continuing education for older people, and personal development for all individuals.

Outline for supporting details and examples. For example, if you were answering the example question, an outline might include:

• Vocational education
• Continuing education
• Personal development

Write the essay, describing each part or component and making transitions between each of your descriptions. Some useful transition words include:

• first, second, third, etc.
• in addition

Conclude the essay by emphasizing how each part you have described makes up the whole you have been asked to analyze.

Cause and Effect

Cause and effect involves tracing probable or known effects of a certain cause or examining one or more effects and discussing the reasonable or known cause(s).

Typical questions:

• "What are the causes of X?"
• "What led to X?"
• "Why did X occur?"
• "Why does X happen?"
• "What would be the effects of X?"

Q: "Define recession and discuss the probable effects a recession would have on today's society."

A: Thesis: A recession, which is a nationwide lull in business activity, would be detrimental to society in the following ways: it would .......A......., it would .......B......., and it would .......C....... .

The rest of the answer would explain, in some detail, the three effects: A, B, and C.

Useful transition words:

• consequently
• for this reason
• as a result

Comparison-Contrast

• "How does X differ from Y?"
• "Compare X and Y."
• "What are the advantages and disadvantages of X and Y?"

Q: "Which would you rather own—a compact car or a full-sized car?"

A: Thesis: I would own a compact car rather than a full-sized car for the following reasons: .......A......., .......B......., .......C......., and .......D....... .

Two patterns of development:

• Full-sized car

Disadvantages

• Compact car

Useful transition words

• on the other hand
• unlike A, B ...
• in the same way
• while both A and B are ..., only B ..
• nevertheless
• on the contrary
• while A is ..., B is ...
• "Describe how X is accomplished."
• "List the steps involved in X."
• "Explain what happened in X."
• "What is the procedure involved in X?"

Process (sometimes called process analysis)

This involves giving directions or telling the reader how to do something. It may involve discussing some complex procedure as a series of discrete steps. The organization is almost always chronological.

Q: "According to Richard Bolles' What Color Is Your Parachute?, what is the best procedure for finding a job?"

A: In What Color Is Your Parachute?, Richard Bolles lists seven steps that all job-hunters should follow: .....A....., .....B....., .....C....., .....D....., .....E....., .....F....., and .....G..... .

The remainder of the answer should discuss each of these seven steps in some detail.

• following this
• after, afterwards, after this
• subsequently
• simultaneously, concurrently

Thesis and Support

• "Discuss X."
• "A noted authority has said X. Do you agree or disagree?"
• "Defend or refute X."
• "Do you think that X is valid? Defend your position."

Thesis and support involves stating a clearly worded opinion or interpretation and then defending it with all the data, examples, facts, and so on that you can draw from the material you have studied.

Q: "Despite criticism, television is useful because it aids in the socializing process of our children."

A: Television hinders rather than helps in the socializing process of our children because .......A......., .......B......., and .......C....... .

The rest of the answer is devoted to developing arguments A, B, and C.

• it follows that

A. Which of the following two answers is the better one? Why?

Question: Discuss the contribution of William Morris to book design, using as an example his edition of the works of Chaucer.

a. William Morris's Chaucer was his masterpiece. It shows his interest in the Middle Ages. The type is based on medieval manuscript writing, and the decoration around the edges of the pages is like that used in medieval books. The large initial letters are typical of medieval design. Those letters were printed from woodcuts, which was the medieval way of printing. The illustrations were by Burn-Jones, one of the best artists in England at the time. Morris was able to get the most competent people to help him because he was so famous as a poet and a designer (the Morris chair) and wallpaper and other decorative items for the home. He designed the furnishings for his own home, which was widely admired among the sort of people he associated with. In this way he started the arts and crafts movement.

b. Morris's contribution to book design was to approach the problem as an artist or fine craftsman, rather than a mere printer who reproduced texts. He wanted to raise the standards of printing, which had fallen to a low point, by showing that truly beautiful books could be produced. His Chaucer was designed as a unified work of art or high craft. Since Chaucer lived in the Middle Ages, Morris decided to design a new type based on medieval script and to imitate the format of a medieval manuscript. This involved elaborate letters and large initials at the beginnings of verses, as well as wide borders of intertwined vines with leaves, fruit, and flowers in strong colors. The effect was so unusual that the book caused great excitement and inspired other printers to design beautiful rather than purely utilitarian books.

From James M. McCrimmon, Writing with a Purpose , 7th ed. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980), pp. 261-263.

B. How would you plan the structure of the answers to these essay exam questions?

1. Was the X Act a continuation of earlier government policies or did it represent a departure from prior philosophies?

2. What seems to be the source of aggression in human beings? What can be done to lower the level of aggression in our society?

3. Choose one character from Novel X and, with specific references to the work, show how he or she functions as an "existential hero."

4. Define briefly the systems approach to business management. Illustrate how this differs from the traditional approach.

5. What is the cosmological argument? Does it prove that God exists?

6. Civil War historian Andy Bellum once wrote, "Blahblahblah blahed a blahblah, but of course if blahblah blahblahblahed the blah, then blahblahs are not blah but blahblah." To what extent and in what ways is the statement true? How is it false?

For more information on writing exam essays for the GED, please visit our Engagement area and go to the Community Writing and Education Station (CWEST) resources.

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22 Essay Question Words You Must Understand to Prepare a Well-Structured Essay

(Last updated: 3 June 2024)

Since 2006, Oxbridge Essays has been the UK’s leading paid essay-writing and dissertation service

We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.

Now, we may be experts in best essay writing , but we’re also the first to admit that tackling essay questions can be, well, a bit of a challenge. Essays first require copious amounts of background reading and research so you can include accurate facts in your writing. You then have to figure out how to present those facts in a convincing and systematic argument. No mean feat.

But the silver lining here is that presenting your argument doesn’t have to be stressful. This goes even if you’re a new student without much experience and ability. To write a coherent and well-structured essay , you just have to really understand the requirements of the question. And to understand the requirements of the question, you need to have a good hold on all the different question words. For example, 'justify', 'examine', and 'discuss', to name a few.

Lacking this understanding is a pitfall many students tumble into. But our guide on essay question words below should keep you firmly above on safe, essay-acing ground.

Definition of Question Words with Examples

No matter their nature, question words are key and must always be adhered to. And yet, many students often overlook them and therefore answer their essay questions incorrectly. You may be a font of all knowledge in your subject area, but if you misinterpret the question words in your essay title, your essay writing could be completely irrelevant and score poorly.

For example, if you are asked to compare the French and British upper houses of parliament, you won’t get many points by simply highlighting the differences between the two parliamentary systems.

So, what should you do? We advise you start by reading this guide – we’ve divided the question words either by ‘critical’ or ‘descriptive’ depending on their nature, which should help you identify the type of response your essay requires.

Question Words that Require a Critical Approach

Once you have done this, it’s also important that you critically (more on this word later) examine each part. You need to use important debates and evidence to look in depth at the arguments for and against, as well as how the parts interconnect. What does the evidence suggest? Use it to adopt a stance in your essay, ensuring you don’t simply give a narration on the key debates in the literature. Make your position known and tie this to the literature.

2. Evaluate

It is essential to provide information on both sides of the debate using evidence from a wide range of academic sources. Then you must state your position basing your arguments on the evidence that informed you in arriving at your position.

Also, you may want to consider arguments that are contrary to your position before stating a conclusion to your arguments. This will help present a balanced argument and demonstrate wide knowledge of the literature. Here, a critical approach becomes crucial. You need to explain why other possible arguments are unsatisfactory as well as why your own particular argument is preferable.

4. Critically evaluate

The key to tackling these question words is providing ample evidence to support your claims. Ensure that your analysis is balanced by shedding light on, and presenting a critique of, alternative perspectives. It is also important that you present extensive evidence taken from a varying range of sources.

State your conclusion clearly and state the reasons for this conclusion, drawing on factors and evidence that informed your perspective. Also try to justify your position in order to present a convincing argument to the reader.

Put another way, ‘review’ questions entail offering your opinion on the validity of the essay question. For example, you may be asked to review the literature on electoral reform in Great Britain. You'll need to give an overview of the literature. and any major arguments or issues that arose from it. You then need to comment logically and analytically on this material. What do you agree or disagree with? What have other scholars said about the subject? Are there any views that contrast with yours? What evidence are you using to support your assessment? Don’t forget to state your position clearly.

Review answers should not be purely descriptive; they must demonstrate a high level of analytical skill. The aim is not simply to regurgitate the works of other scholars, but rather to critically analyse these works.

However, when assessing a particular argument or topic, it is important that your thoughts on its significance are made clear. This must be supported by evidence, and secondary sources in the literature are a great start. Essentially, you need to convince the reader about the strength of your argument, using research to back up your assessment of the topic is essential. Highlight any limitations to your argument and remember to mention any counterarguments to your position.

Give a detailed examination of the topic by including knowledge of the various perspectives put forward by other scholars in relation to it. What are your thoughts on the subject based on the general debates in the literature? Remember to clearly state your position based on all the evidence you present.

You should also try to provide some context on why the issues and facts that you have closely examined are important. Have these issues and facts been examined differently by other scholars? If so, make a note of this. How did they differ in their approach and what are the factors that account for these alternative approaches?

‘Examine’ questions are less exploratory and discursive than some other types of question. They focus instead on asking you to critically examine particular pieces of evidence or facts to inform your analysis.

9. To what extent

Such questions require that you display the extent of your knowledge on a given subject and that you also adopt an analytical style in stating your position. This means that you must consider both sides of the argument, by present contrasting pieces of evidence. But ultimately, you must show why a particular set of evidence, or piece of information, is more valid for supporting your answer.

Question Words that Require a Descriptive Response

It is important that you provide more than one meaning if there are several of them as it shows that you are very familiar with the literature.

2. Demonstrate

Make sure you assert your position with these types of questions. It's even more important that you support your arguments with valid evidence in order to establish a strong case.

3. Describe

‘Describe’ question words focus less on the basic meaning of something, therefore, and more on its particular characteristics. These characteristics should form the building blocks of your answer.

4. Elaborate

In addition, always remember to back any claims with academic research. In explanatory answers it is important that you demonstrate a clear understanding of a research topic or argument. This comes across most convincingly if you present a clear interpretation of the subject or argument to the reader. Keep in mind any ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions as this will help you to structure a clear and logically coherent response. Coherence is extremely important in providing explanatory answers.

A somewhat detached, dispassionate tone can be particularly effective, in contrast to the more assertive, argumentative tone you might adopt for other types of essay question. Just remember that the key objective here is to give a nuanced account of a research topic or argument by examining its composite parts.

7. Identify

8. illustrate, 10. summarise, 11. clarify.

Such questions require you to shed light on a topic or, in some instances, break down a complex subject into simple parts. Coherence is very important for acing such questions, remembering to present your answer in a systematic manner.

12. Compare

Furthermore, you may also want to emphasise any differences, although the focus of your essay should be on establishing similarities.

13. Contrast

How to Strategically Structure Essay Based on Question Words

Understanding how to structure an essay based on question words is crucial for producing clear, focused, and compelling academic writing. The question words we analised above guide the direction of your response and dictate the type of content required. Recognising the demands of each question word allows you to strategically organise your essay, ensuring that your arguments are relevant and comprehensive. By mastering this approach, you can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing, making your academic work more persuasive and effective.

Here are a few more handy tips to bear in mind when addressing your essay questions:

When you first get your essay question, always try to understand exactly what the question means and what it is asking you to do. Look at the question word(s) and think about their meaning before you launch into planning what to write. Hopefully, our guide has shown you how to do this expertly.

Remember to read the question several times and consider any underlying assumptions behind the question. Highlight the key words and if possible, make a very basic draft outline of your response. This outline does not have to be detailed. But if you follow it as you write, it will help keep your response coherent and systematic.

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How to Write an Essay

Last Updated: April 2, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 7,966,396 times.

An essay is a common type of academic writing that you'll likely be asked to do in multiple classes. Before you start writing your essay, make sure you understand the details of the assignment so that you know how to approach the essay and what your focus should be. Once you've chosen a topic, do some research and narrow down the main argument(s) you'd like to make. From there, you'll need to write an outline and flesh out your essay, which should consist of an introduction, body, and conclusion. After your essay is drafted, spend some time revising it to ensure your writing is as strong as possible.

Understanding Your Assignment

• The compare/contrast essay , which focuses on analyzing the similarities and differences between 2 things, such as ideas, people, events, places, or works of art.
• The narrative essay , which tells a story.
• The argumentative essay , in which the writer uses evidence and examples to convince the reader of their point of view.
• The critical or analytical essay, which examines something (such as a text or work of art) in detail. This type of essay may attempt to answer specific questions about the subject or focus more generally on its meaning.
• The informative essay , that educates the reader about a topic.

• How long your essay should be
• Which citation style to use
• Formatting requirements, such as margin size , line spacing, and font size and type

Christopher Taylor, PhD

Christopher Taylor, Professor of English, tells us: "Most essays will contain an introduction, a body or discussion portion, and a conclusion. When assigned a college essay, make sure to check the specific structural conventions related to your essay genre , your field of study, and your professor's expectations."

• If you're doing a research-based essay , you might find some inspiration from reading through some of the major sources on the subject.
• For a critical essay, you might choose to focus on a particular theme in the work you're discussing, or analyze the meaning of a specific passage.

• If you're having trouble narrowing down your topic, your instructor might be able to provide guidance or inspiration.

Planning and Organizing Your Essay

• Academic books and journals tend to be good sources of information. In addition to print sources, you may be able to find reliable information in scholarly databases such as JSTOR and Google Scholar.
• You can also look for primary source documents, such as letters, eyewitness accounts, and photographs.
• Always evaluate your sources critically. Even research papers by reputable academics can contain hidden biases, outdated information, and simple errors or faulty logic.

Tip: In general, Wikipedia articles are not considered appropriate sources for academic writing. However, you may be able to find useful sources in the “References” section at the end of the article.

• You might find it helpful to write your notes down on individual note cards or enter them into a text document on your computer so you can easily copy, paste , and rearrange them however you like.
• Try organizing your notes into different categories so you can identify specific ideas you'd like to focus on. For example, if you're analyzing a short story , you might put all your notes on a particular theme or character together.

• For example, if your essay is about the factors that led to the end of the Bronze Age in the ancient Middle East, you might focus on the question, “What role did natural disasters play in the collapse of Late Bronze Age society?”

• One easy way to come up with a thesis statement is to briefly answer the main question you would like to address.
• For example, if the question is “What role did natural disasters play in the collapse of Late Bronze Age society?” then your thesis might be, “Natural disasters during the Late Bronze Age destabilized local economies across the region. This set in motion a series of mass migrations of different peoples, creating widespread conflict that contributed to the collapse of several major Bronze Age political centers.”

• When you write the outline, think about how you would like to organize your essay. For example, you might start with your strongest arguments and then move to the weakest ones. Or, you could begin with a general overview of the source you're analyzing and then move on to addressing the major themes, tone, and style of the work.
• Introduction
• Point 1, with supporting examples
• Point 2, with supporting examples
• Point 3, with supporting examples
• Major counter-argument(s) to your thesis
• Your rebuttals to the counter-argument(s)

Drafting the Essay

• For example, if you're writing a critical essay about a work of art, your introduction might start with some basic information about the work, such as who created it, when and where it was created, and a brief description of the work itself. From there, introduce the question(s) about the work you'd like to address and present your thesis.
• A strong introduction should also contain a brief transitional sentence that creates a link to the first point or argument you would like to make. For example, if you're discussing the use of color in a work of art, lead-in by saying you'd like to start with an overview of symbolic color use in contemporary works by other artists.

Tip: Some writers find it helpful to write the introduction after they've written the rest of the essay. Once you've written out your main points, it's easier to summarize the gist of your essay in a few introductory sentences.

• For example, your topic sentence might be something like, “Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories are among the many literary influences apparent in P. G. Wodehouse's Jeeves novels.” You could then back this up by quoting a passage that contains a reference to Sherlock Holmes.
• Try to show how the arguments in each paragraph link back to the main thesis of your essay.

• When creating transitions, transitional phrases can be helpful. For example, use words and phrases such as “In addition,” “Therefore,” “Similarly,” “Subsequently,” or “As a result.”
• For example, if you've just discussed the use of color to create contrast in a work of art, you might start the next paragraph with, “In addition to color, the artist also uses different line weights to distinguish between the more static and dynamic figures in the scene.”

• For example, if you're arguing that a particular kind of shrimp decorates its shell with red algae to attract a mate, you'll need to address the counterargument that the shell decoration is a warning to predators. You might do this by presenting evidence that the red shrimp are, in fact, more likely to get eaten than shrimp with undecorated shells.

• The way you cite your sources will vary depending on the citation style you're using. Typically, you'll need to include the name of the author, the title and publication date of the source, and location information such as the page number on which the information appears.
• In general, you don't need to cite common knowledge. For example, if you say, “A zebra is a type of mammal,” you probably won't need to cite a source.
• If you've cited any sources in the essay, you'll need to include a list of works cited (or a bibliography ) at the end.

• Keep your conclusion brief. While the appropriate length will vary based on the length of the essay, it should typically be no longer than 1-2 paragraphs.
• For example, if you're writing a 1,000-word essay, your conclusion should be about 4-5 sentences long. [16] X Research source

Revising the Essay

• If you don't have time to spend a couple of days away from your essay, at least take a few hours to relax or work on something else.

• Excessive wordiness
• Points that aren't explained enough
• Tangents or unnecessary information
• Unclear transitions or illogical organization
• Spelling , grammar , style, and formatting problems
• Inappropriate language or tone (e.g., slang or informal language in an academic essay)

• You might have to cut material from your essay in some places and add new material to others.
• You might also end up reordering some of the content of the essay if you think that helps it flow better.

• Read over each line slowly and carefully. It may be helpful to read each sentence out loud to yourself.

Tip: If possible, have someone else check your work. When you've been looking at your writing for too long, your brain begins to fill in what it expects to see rather than what's there, making it harder for you to spot mistakes.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/essay-types
• ↑ https://students.unimelb.edu.au/academic-skills/resources/essay-writing/six-top-tips-for-writing-a-great-essay
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/research_papers/choosing_a_topic.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/tips-reading-assignment-prompt
• ↑ https://library.unr.edu/help/quick-how-tos/writing/integrating-sources-into-your-paper
• ↑ https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/notes-from-research/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/developing-thesis
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/outlining
• ↑ https://lsa.umich.edu/sweetland/undergraduates/writing-guides/how-do-i-write-an-intro--conclusion----body-paragraph.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/argumentative_essays.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/
• ↑ https://lsa.umich.edu/sweetland/undergraduates/writing-guides/how-do-i-incorporate-a-counter-argument.html
• ↑ https://www.plagiarism.org/article/how-do-i-cite-sources
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• ↑ https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/twc/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.twc/files/resource-files/Intros-Conclusions.pdf
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html
• ↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/8-4-revising-and-editing/
• ↑ https://writing.ku.edu/writing-process

About This Article

If you need to write an essay, start by gathering information from reputable sources, like books from the library or scholarly journals online. Take detailed notes and keep track of which facts come from which sources. As you're taking notes, look for a central theme that you're interested in writing about to create your thesis statement. Then, organize your notes into an outline that supports and explains your thesis statement. Working from your outline, write an introduction and subsequent paragraphs to address each major point. Start every paragraph with a topic sentence that briefly explains the main point of that paragraph. Finally, finish your paper with a strong conclusion that sums up the most important points. For tips from our English Professor co-author on helpful revision techniques, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Course: college admissions   >   unit 4.

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How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps (Examples Included)

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• Tags: Academic Writing , Essay , Essay Writing

Knowing how to write an essay can help you out significantly in both, your academic and professional life. An essay is a highly versatile nonfiction piece of writing that not only tests your knowledge of a topic but also your literary and argumentative skills.     

Each essay requires the same basic process of planning, writing, and editing. Naturally, we’ve used these stages to group our steps on how to write an essay. So w ithout further ado, let’s get into it! Here are the eight steps to write an essay:

Stage 1: Planning

1. Pick an appropriate research topic

In certain cases, your teacher or professor may assign you a topic. However, in many cases, students have the freedom to select a topic of their choice. Make sure you choose a topic that you’re well versed in and have significant knowledge of. 

Having prior knowledge of the topic will help you determine the subsequent steps to write an essay. It will also make your research process considerably easier.

2. Form an appropriate thesis statement

A thesis statement is the central idea or premise your essay is based on. It is usually a sentence or two long and is included in the introduction of the essay. The scope of your thesis statement depends on the type of your essay and its length.

For instance, the scope of the thesis statement for a 500–1000 word school essay will be narrower than a 1000–5000 word college essay. A rule of thumb is that your essay topic should be broad enough to gather enough information, but narrow enough to address specific points and not be vague. Here’s an example: 

The invention of the airplane by the Wright Brothers in 1903 revolutionized transportation and paved the way for modern aviation. It represents a monumental achievement in human history that forever changed the course of human civilization.

3. Create an essay outline

Creating a well-organized essay outline not only gives structure and flow to your essay but also makes it more impactful and easy to understand. The idea is to collect the main points of information that support or elaborate on your thesis statement. You can also include references or examples under these main points. 

For example, if your thesis statement revolves around the invention of the airplane, your main points will include travel before the invention of the airplane, how it was invented, and its effects on modern-day travel. Take a look:

The Wright Brothers’ invention had a massive impact on modern-day travel. The subsequent growth of the aviation industry led to increased accessibility of air travel to the general public.

Stage 2: Writing

4. Write a comprehensive introduction

After creating the basic outline, it is important to know how to write an essay. Begin your essay by introducing your voice and point of view to the reader. An introduction is usually a paragraph or two long and consists of three main parts:

• Background information
• Thesis statement

Let’s better understand this with the help of an example:

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane in 1903 revolutionized the way humans travel and explore the world. Prior to this invention, transportation relied on trains, boats, and cars, which limited the distance and speed of travel. However, the airplane made air travel a reality, allowing people to reach far-off destinations in mere hours. This breakthrough paved the way for modern-day air travel, transforming the world into a smaller, more connected place. In this essay, we will explore the impact of the Wright Brothers’ invention on modern-day travel, including the growth of the aviation industry, increased accessibility of air travel to the general public, and the economic and cultural benefits of air travel.

Let’s understand how to construct each of these sections in more detail.

A. Construct an attractive hook

The opening sentence of an essay, also known as the hook, should include a powerful or startling statement that captures the reader’s attention. Depending on the type of your essay, it can be an interesting fact, a surprising statistic, or an engaging anecdote. 

B. Provide relevant background information

While writing the introduction, it’s important to provide context or background information before including the thesis statement. The background information may include the time before a groundbreaking invention, the pros and cons of a significant discovery, or the short- and long-term effects of an event.

C. Edit the thesis statement

If you’ve constructed your thesis statement during the outlining stage, it’s time to edit it based on the background information you’ve provided. Observe the slight changes we’ve made to the scope of the thesis statement in the example above. This accommodates the bits of information we’ve provided in the background history.

5. Form relevant body paragraphs

Body paragraphs play a crucial role in supporting and expanding the central argument presented in the thesis statement. The number of body paragraphs depends on the type of essay as well as the scope of the thesis statement.

Most school-level essays contain three body paragraphs while college-level essays can vary in length depending on the assignment.

A well-crafted body paragraph consists of the following parts:

• A topic sentence
• Supporting information
• An analysis of the information
• A smooth transition to the next paragraph

Let’s understand this with the help of an example. 

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane revolutionized air travel. They achieved the first-ever successful powered flight with the Wright Flyer in 1903, after years of conducting experiments and studying flight principles. Despite their first flight lasting only 12 seconds, it was a significant milestone that paved the way for modern aviation. The Wright Brothers’ success can be attributed to their systematic approach to problem-solving, which included numerous experiments with gliders, the development of a wind tunnel to test their designs, and meticulous analysis and recording of their results. Their dedication and ingenuity forever changed the way we travel, making modern aviation possible.

Here’s a detailed overview of how to construct each of these sections.

A. Construct appropriate topic sentences

A topic sentence is the title of the body paragraph that elaborates on the thesis statement. It is the main idea on which the body paragraph is developed. Ensure that each topic sentence is relevant to the thesis statement and makes the essay flow seamlessly. 

The order of topic sentences is key in creating an impactful essay. This order varies depending on the type of essay you choose to write. These sentences may be arranged chronologically, in the order of importance, or in a cause-and-effect format.

B. Provide supporting information

It is necessary to provide relevant supporting information and evidence to validate your topic statement. This may include examples, relevant statistics, history, or even personal anecdotes.

You should also remember to cite your sources wherever you use them to substantiate your arguments. Always give researchers and authors credit for their work!

C. Analyze the supporting information

After presenting the appropriate evidence, the next step is to conduct an in-depth analysis. Establish connections and provide additional details to strengthen the link between your topic sentence and the supporting information. 

Depending on the type of essay, this step may also involve sharing your subjective opinions and key takeaways.

D. Create a smooth transition

In case you plan to create multiple body paragraphs, it is crucial to create a seamless transition between them. Transitional statements not only make the essay less jarring to read but also guide the reader in the right direction.

However, these statements need not be too lengthy and complicated. Use words such as “however”, “in addition to”, and “therefore” to convey transitions.

6. Construct an impactful conclusion

An impactful conclusion creates a lasting impression on the mind of the reader. Although it varies in length depending on the specific essay, the conclusion is typically a paragraph long.

It consists of

• A restated thesis statement
• Summary of the main points
• The broader implications of the thesis statement

Here’s an example of a well-structured conclusion:

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane forever changed history by paving the way for modern aviation and countless aerospace advancements. Their persistence, innovation, and dedication to problem-solving led to the first successful powered flight in 1903, sparking a revolution in transportation that transformed the world. Today, air travel remains an integral part of our globalized society, highlighting the undeniable impact of the Wright Brothers’ contribution to human civilization.  

Let’s take a closer look at how to construct each of these sections.

A. Restate the thesis statement

Your conclusion should call back to your original argument or thesis statement.

However, this does not mean repeating the thesis statement as is. The essence of your argument should remain the same, but it should also be modified and evolved as per the information presented in your essay.

B. Summarize important points

A powerful conclusion not only lingers in the reader’s mind but also provokes thought. You can create a strong impression on the reader by highlighting the most impactful points of your essay.

C. State the greater implications

End your essay with the most powerful and impactful part: the larger perspective. This can‌ include a question you’d like to leave the reader with, the broader implications and impact of your thesis statement, or the long-term, lingering effects of your experience. 

Make sure to include no new evidence or arguments, or to undermine your findings in any way. 

Stage 3: Editing

7. Review your essay

Knowing how to write an essay is just one part of essay writing. Properly reviewing and editing your essay is just as important. Make sure to spend enough time going over your essay and adding any bits of information that you’ve missed. 

This is also a good time to make minor structural changes in your essay.

8. Thoroughly proofread your essay

After making the necessary structural changes, recheck your essay word by word. It is important to not only correct major grammatical and spelling errors but also minor errors regarding the phrasing or tone of voice.

You can either choose to do this by yourself, ask a friend for assistance, or hire an essay proofreading service to go over your writing. To construct a fool-proof, error-free essay, it is helpful to have a trained pair of eyes go over it. Professional proofreaders can spot errors that are not visible to most people and set the right tone for your essay. 

Now that you know the basics of how to write an essay, it’s time to learn about the specifics. Feel free to dig into the articles below and keep reading!

• How to Write an Essay Header in 4 Steps
• How to Write an Essay Outline
• What is an Expository Essay?
• How to Start an Essay

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to Write an Academic Paragraph (Step-by-Step Guide)

Unlike creative writing or day-to-day writing, academic writing is highly focused on critical analysis, is typically based on research, and adheres to strict academic conventions. In academic writing, every paragraph seeks to serve the purpose of discussing and sharing information on scientific or scholarly topics with a focused academic community. That is why it is important that each sentence within a paragraph should be relevant and flow in a logically correct and engaging narrative.    

There are different elements that constitute an academic paragraph. Each of these elements works together to present concepts, ideas, and innovative new developments in a coherent manner. Let’s take a look at how to craft an impactful academic paragraph.   

How to write an academic paragraph?  

Any academic writing is centered on a well-formulated main idea or argument. This main idea needs to be developed further, or a research question needs to be answered in a systematic and logical manner. Such a process entails identifying and building points along with relevant supporting evidence to support the main idea.   

In academic writing, the discussion of each of these points is done in separate paragraphs. To aid this process, an outline of your academic assignment can be prepared that helps organize your thoughts and ideas and list the various points or topic sentences to build your argument. A well-articulated and strong paragraph can be developed by ensuring that it contains certain key elements, as discussed below.   

Topic sentence

Each paragraph can have a topic sentence at or near its start. The topic sentence is basically the main point that you will be focusing on in the paragraph. The scope of the topic sentence should be such that it can be discussed and developed in a single paragraph. In reading the topic sentence, the reader should get an idea of the focus of the paragraph.    

Significance

The significance of the point that is being discussed in the paragraph should come out clearly in the ensuing body sentences. This allows readers to understand how it relates to the overall article, thesis, or dissertation.   

What you state in the topic sentence should be backed by evidence. This will depend on your topic, discipline, and nature of the assignment. Evidence can include information drawn from primary sources, such as surveys or interviews that were conducted as part of the study, while secondary sources typically include personal experience based on practice, such as education. You must assess how much evidence needs to be provided to substantiate and prove your point.   

In the rest of the body sentences, the focus should be on your interpretation and analysis of the data and evidence, how these support your argument and the main thesis, and how it is building up to your conclusion. The paragraph can be wrapped up in a concluding sentence that underlines the implications of the evidence.   

4 strategies to enhance academic paragraphs     

In order to achieve clarity and coherence, every paragraph must advance the reader’s understanding of the topic, provide evidence or support for the main argument, and establish connections between ideas. Without this deliberate organization and structure, academic writing can become disjointed, confusing, and less persuasive.   

Using the right transition words

The main purpose of paragraphs is to provide logical sequencing to your ideas and main points. Hence, in moving from one point to another through paragraphs, the use of transition sentences helps in linking ideas presented in one paragraph to the next and previous ones. Transition sentences are usually used either at the beginning or the end of a paragraph.    

Adding citations and references

Where supporting evidence is provided from secondary sources, it is crucial to provide citations and references to acknowledge original sources and avoid the risk of plagiarism.    

Ensuring cohesion and flow

Each sentence in the paragraph should be relevant to the point you are conveying. Hence, while writing a paragraph, make sure that you have a topic sentence, body sentences which develop the ideas and provide evidence and interpretation, a linking sentence that links the point to the overall thesis of the assignment, and appropriate transitions. Then, evaluate whether these provide a cohesive whole and logical flow.   

Ideal length

The ideal length of a paragraph varies between 200 and 300 words, but it can be more. Ensure that a paragraph is neither too long nor too short and that there are sufficient explanations and analysis. Overly lengthy paragraphs with huge volumes of information tend to distract and confuse readers from the main argument.   

Once the paragraph has been written, a close reading is needed to assess whether the core idea is being communicated logically and if there is sufficient evidence and analysis. Each paragraph must link seamlessly with the previous ones using transitions. See that each sentence is conveyed coherently and relevant and that the thread of the argument is flowing clearly. By following the basic structure and key elements of academic paragraphs and implementing strategies to enhance clarity, cohesion, and flow, writers can effectively communicate their ideas and engage with scholarly discourse.  

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Home > Blog > How To Write an Expository Essay

How To Write an Expository Essay

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Updated: July 18, 2024
• Student Guide for Writing

There are many different types of essays that students need to write, and one of them is an expository essay. In this kind of essay, you must present factual information clearly and logically, making it easier for your audience to understand the topic.

Want to learn how to write an expository essay that will impress? This guide will teach you all the tricks and tips to help you write an expository essay through detailed step-by-step instructions. Let’s get started!

An Introduction to Expository Essays

Expository essays provide a structured way to present information, ensuring that readers can grasp complex ideas through a logical and organized format. They essentially focus on explaining a particular subject. 

This type of essay is most common in educational settings, where it serves as a tool to assess students’ understanding of a topic. It provides an opportunity for students to showcase their ability to communicate that understanding clearly.

For professionals, the ability to write clear and concise expository essays can enhance their communication and essay-writing skills that may be required for their job role. They can make it easier to convey technical information or explain processes in a straightforward manner. 

According to a paper published in the Journal of Technology and Science Education regarding students’ thoughts about their essay-writing skills, 50% of students claimed to have a fair ability when composing essays. Hence, it is important to understand how to write a good essay if you want to enhance your ability past fair.

What Is an Expository Essay?

Expository essays explain a topic or concept using facts and evidence, hence the expository essay definition is not too complex to grasp. Unlike persuasive or argumentative essays, expository essays do not aim to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint. Instead, they provide a balanced and comprehensive explanation of the subject.

An expository essay is all about clarity and detail. Complex topics are broken down and hence become more accessible to the reader. Expository essays are used in academic settings to test students’ understanding of a subject and their ability to convey information clearly. 

Now that you know what is an expository essay, we can look at the various forms these essays come in, each serving a unique purpose. Here are some of the more common types of expository essays: 

• Definition essays: A definition essay defines a specific term or concept. They go beyond dictionary definitions, providing a deeper understanding by exploring the term’s significance and context. 
• Classification essays: These essays categorize subjects into different groups or types. Each category is explained with its distinct characteristics and how it fits within the broader subject.
• Process essays: Also known as “how-to” essays, provide step-by-step instructions on how to complete a particular task or process. A process essay is practical and straightforward and aims to guide the reader through a series of actions to achieve a specific outcome.
• Compare-and-contrast essays : These types of essays take a deep dive into the similarities and differences between different subjects. A compare-and-contrast essay will help readers understand the subjects in relation to each other and highlight key points of comparison and contrast.
• Cause and effect essays: When writing this kind of essay you thoroughly explore the connections between events or phenomena. They explain how one event leads to another and detail the causes and effects in a logical sequence.

By focusing on factual information and logical structure, expository essays enable writers to present a thorough analysis of their subject. This approach helps readers gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the topic being discussed.

The Purpose of Expository Writing

While expository writing may be used to entertain or persuade a reader, it mainly serves to provide information. A well-crafted expository essay demonstrates the writer’s expertise on the topic and explains the subject in detail.

The main objective of expository writing is to convey information concisely. As previously discussed, expository essays can serve a valuable purpose for both academics and professionals. Here are some key purposes of expository writing:

• Informing: Expository essays provide readers with essential information about a topic. This could include scientific processes or technical procedures. The goal is to enhance the reader’s knowledge and understanding of the subject.
• Explaining: Expository writing breaks down complex ideas into simpler, more manageable components. By explaining how things work or why certain events occur, these essays make difficult concepts more accessible to the reader.
• Clarifying: Sometimes, topics can be misunderstood or misrepresented. Expository essays aim to clarify such topics by presenting accurate facts and logical explanations. This helps dispel misconceptions and provides a clear, unbiased perspective.
• Describing: Expository essays can also describe a particular process or phenomenon in detail. This includes outlining the steps involved and their significance.
• Analyzing: Expository writing often involves analyzing information to uncover deeper insights. Such as examining data and exploring relationships between variables. 

By focusing on these purposes, expository essays can help readers gain a thorough and accurate understanding of the topic at hand. 

If you are describing a technical process, the goal is to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the subject. In this case, you must also ensure your essay has a good writing flow . By the end of the essay, the reader’s knowledge and understanding of the subject should be significantly better. 

6 Essential Steps to Follow When Writing an Expository Essay

A clear understanding of expository essay structure helps organize your writing, ensuring a logical flow from the introduction to the conclusion. These are the steps you should consider when compiling an expository essay.

Step 1: Choose an Appropriate Topic

Select a topic that is both interesting and manageable. Ensure it is specific enough to cover in detail but broad enough to provide ample information.

Step 2: Conduct Thorough Research

Gather reliable sources to support your essay. Use academic journals and books to find factual information. Take notes, organize your research, and reference them. 

Step 3: Create an Expository Essay Outline

An outline will help you structure your essay logically. It typically includes three parts: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Step 4: Write the Introduction

The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on the topic. It should end with a clear thesis statement that outlines the main points of the essay.

Step 5: Develop Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should focus on a single point related to the thesis statement. Begin with a topic sentence, provide supporting evidence, and explain how it relates to the thesis. Use transition words to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs.

Step 6: Write the Conclusion

The point of the conclusion is to offer a summary of the main points presented in the essay. A good conclusion should also provide a final thought or call to action for the reader.

To help you get a better idea of how to craft different parts for these types of essays, we have included some expository essay examples below.

How To Write an Introduction for an Expository Essay

Imagine you’re writing an expository essay on the impact of social media on mental health. Your introductory paragraph should look like this:

“Social media has become an integral part of modern life, influencing how we communicate, share information, and perceive the world. While having its benefits, such as connecting people and providing a platform for self-expression, it also has significant effects on mental health. This essay will explore all impacts of social media on mental health and examine how it affects self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.”

The above is a good expository essay example if you want to write an introduction to engage your readers.

How To Write a Body Paragraph for an Expository Essay

Each body paragraph when you write expository essays should provide a detailed examination of one aspect of the topic. For example, if your essay is about social media’s impact on mental health, you might have paragraphs on:

• Self-esteem: Discuss how social media influences self-esteem, both positively and negatively.
• Anxiety: Explore the connection between social media usage and anxiety levels.
• Depression: Analyze how social media can contribute to depression and offer potential solutions.

For example:

“One of the most significant impacts of social media on mental health is its effect on self-esteem. Studies have shown that frequent use of social media platforms can lead to increased feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. This is often due to the tendency to compare oneself to others, who may present an idealized version of their lives online. However, social media can also boost self-esteem by providing a platform for positive feedback and support from peers.”

How To Write a Conclusion for an Expository Essay

The conclusion should summarize the main points and leave the reader with a lasting impression.

Below is an example of how to write a conclusion for an expository essay that will engage the reader:

“In conclusion, social media has a profound impact on mental health, affecting self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression. While it provides opportunities for connection and self-expression, it also has some significant risks. By understanding these effects and promoting healthy social media habits, we can mitigate its negative impact and harness its benefits.”

How To Write a Thesis for an Expository Essay

A thesis statement for an expository essay will be placed near the end of your intro. It is one of the most challenging aspects of an expository essay, and that is why we included a separate section in our article for it.

When using thesis statements, you should be able to explain your topic thoroughly and concisely to provide an answer to your research question. At this point, your communication skills and the ability to describe complex concepts in an articulate way should be pretty good.

Below we include a step-by-step process on how to write a thesis for an expository essay:

• Select your topic.
• Think about an interesting question to engage your readers.
• Answer the question based on what you have discovered in your essay but ensure to make it sound interesting to entice your reader to check out the rest of your essay.

Remember to be concise when writing thesis statements for expository essays. You don’t need to overexplain as this may tire the reader and put them off from reading your essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of an expository essay.

The main purpose of an expository essay is to explain or describe a particular topic using factual information. It aims to inform the reader without expressing personal opinions.

How do I choose a topic for my expository essay?

Choose a topic that interests you and has sufficient information available. Ensure it is specific enough to cover in detail but broad enough to provide ample content.

What is a thesis statement in an expository essay?

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main points of your essay. It should be clear and specific, outlining the essay’s purpose and the points you will cover.

What types of evidence should I use in my expository essay?

Use factual evidence from reliable sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Avoid using personal opinions or anecdotal evidence.

Enhance Your Essays With Smodin 

Writing an expository essay is a valuable skill that can benefit students and professionals alike. By focusing on clear and logical presentation of factual information, expository essays allow writers to convey complex topics in an accessible and comprehensible manner. 

Expository essays serve a range of purposes, from informing and explaining to clarifying and analyzing. Regardless of the specific focus, the overarching goal remains the same: to enhance the reader’s understanding of the subject.  

Ready to impress your readers with your expository essay? Enhance your writing skills and create a compelling essay with Smodin’s AI writing tool. Join Smodin now and take your essay writing to the next level.

A strong analytical question

• speaks to a genuine dilemma presented by your sources . In other words, the question focuses on a real confusion, problem, ambiguity, or gray area, about which readers will conceivably have different reactions, opinions, or ideas.  
• yields an answer that is not obvious . If you ask, "What did this author say about this topic?” there’s nothing to explore because any reader of that text would answer that question in the same way. But if you ask, “how can we reconcile point A and point B in this text,” readers will want to see how you solve that inconsistency in your essay.  
• suggests an answer complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of discussion. If the question is too vague, it won't suggest a line of argument. The question should elicit reflection and argument rather than summary or description.  
• can be explored using the sources you have available for the assignment , rather than by generalizations or by research beyond the scope of your assignment.  

How to come up with an analytical question  

One useful starting point when you’re trying to identify an analytical question is to look for points of tension in your sources, either within one source or among sources. It can be helpful to think of those points of tension as the moments where you need to stop and think before you can move forward. Here are some examples of where you may find points of tension:

• You may read a published view that doesn’t seem convincing to you, and you may want to ask a question about what’s missing or about how the evidence might be reconsidered.  
• You may notice an inconsistency, gap, or ambiguity in the evidence, and you may want to explore how that changes your understanding of something.  
• You may identify an unexpected wrinkle that you think deserves more attention, and you may want to ask a question about it.  
• You may notice an unexpected conclusion that you think doesn’t quite add up, and you may want to ask how the authors of a source reached that conclusion.  
• You may identify a controversy that you think needs to be addressed, and you may want to ask a question about how it might be resolved.  
• You may notice a problem that you think has been ignored, and you may want to try to solve it or consider why it has been ignored.  
• You may encounter a piece of evidence that you think warrants a closer look, and you may raise questions about it.  

Once you’ve identified a point of tension and raised a question about it, you will try to answer that question in your essay. Your main idea or claim in answer to that question will be your thesis.

• "How" and "why" questions generally require more analysis than "who/ what/when/where” questions.  
• Good analytical questions can highlight patterns/connections, or contradictions/dilemmas/problems.  
• Good analytical questions establish the scope of an argument, allowing you to focus on a manageable part of a broad topic or a collection of sources.  
• Good analytical questions can also address implications or consequences of your analysis.
• picture_as_pdf Asking Analytical Questions

how to write essay "describe an engineering problem that impacts your local community. this could be your school, neighborhood, town, region, or a group you identify with. describe one to three things you might do as an engineer to solve the problem."?

The problem is presented and the student's position on why it should be addressed clearly in the sample essay.

They then give us a glimpse of what the world may be like if we were to find a solution to this issue and outline a few potential ways that engineering (and CS) might be utilized to help us get there.

Concentrating on the one or two things that thrill you the most could be beneficial . A: Describe an engineering issue that affects your neighborhood. It might be a group you associate problem , your school, neighborhood, town, or area. Give one to three possible engineering solutions for the issue. Choose something that has actually shaped your educational and professional aspirations.

To learn more about problem please click on below link

https://brainly.com/question/11240316

Related Questions

What form of informative writing uses sensory details to expose the reader to new information?

Description essays is the form of informative writing uses sensory details to expose the reader to new information .

Usually, sensory elements are used in description essays to describe a person, a place, or an object. A descriptive essay's framework is more adaptable than some of the other rhetorical forms.

Metaphor , simile, sensory writing, hyperbole, personification, and onomatopoeia are just a few of the unique writing strategies that authors use when writing descriptively . You should be aware of the distinction between a description and a descriptive essay when writing this kind of work .

Thus, it is Description essays.

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One of the first lessons every salesperson learns is that objections to a product should not be taken personally as confrontation or insults. True or False.

Explanation:

It is important for salespeople to understand that objections to a product are not personal attacks on them as individuals, but rather the customer expressing concerns or questions about the product. It is important for salespeople to remain professional and not take objections personally, but rather address the customer's concerns and try to overcome the objections in a respectful and helpful manner.

we believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? what are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

I agree with my family and close friends on the big important things, such as the importance of family and loyalty, while having meaningful conversations and being open to different perspectives on topics such as religion, politics, and finances.

We frequently have intriguing conversations regarding social and political topics since my close friends and family are folks I trust and respect. Even if we don't always agree on everything, we still respect one another and are willing to hear one another out. For instance, there have been discussions regarding the morality of particular laws, such the death sentence, and the justice system's fairness. We discuss the effects of technology on our daily lives, the environment, and the future of work, as well as the effects of automation on employment.

We have also discussed the importance of taking action to create a more equitable society, but we do not always agree on the most effective ways to do that. For instance, we have disagreed about how best to combat climate change, whether through individual action or collective action, and how to reduce income inequality. We have also discussed how to address racism and sexism in society, with some advocating for structural changes while others focus on individual behavior.

No matter what, we leave our chats with a deeper appreciation for our shared ideals and a better knowledge of one another's points of view. Even if we can disagree on some topics, our chats are centered around the large, critical matters that we do agree on .

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In the book Women in the Window by A.J. Finn what are Figurative Language examples

In the book, Women in the Window by A.J. Finn, one prominent Figurative Language used is imagery as the writer writes details vividly so the reader is able to grasp the idea in a more graphic manner./

This refers to the way of expressing ideas through the use of words or phrases that are not meant to be taken literally. It is used to create vivid and imaginative expressions and to add depth and complexity to writing. Some common examples of f igurative language include similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and synecdoche.

Hence, it can be seen that the author uses imagery to create mental pictures and help readers or listeners to visualize and experience a scene or idea more vividly.

Imagery can be found in literature, music, and other forms of art, and is often used to add depth and emotional impac t to a work.

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In the fall of the house of usher, how does fear drive action? discuss the consequences of roderick's fear and paranoia. cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.

Characters in The Fall of the House of Usher behave irrationally because of dread or fear , which moves the story along by making them act incongruently.

What is The Fall of The House of Usher?

The short tale "The Fall of the House of Usher " was written by American author Edgar Allan Poe and was originally published in Burton's Gentleman's Magazine in 1839. It was then included in the anthology Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque in 1840. The short tale, a piece of Gothic literature, touches with issues like lunacy, family, loneliness, and metaphysical identities.

Roderick is only afraid of fear ; he does not have any specific worries. By the end of the story , the narrator comes dangerously close to being just as fearful and paranoid as Roderick. He worries that the doctors could opt to take her body out of the house to study it because her condition was so strange to them.

Characters behave inconsistently as a result of acting irrationally out of fear , which furthers the storyline .

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In the fall of the house of usher, how does fear drive action? discuss the consequences of roderick's fear

and paranoia. cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history

in your answer.

What animal is sacrificed in the fourth stanza of Ode on a Grecian Urn?

Cow is sacrificed in the fourth stanza of Ode on a Grecian Urn.

"To what green altar , O mysterious priest,

Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,

And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?"

Hey, where are you going? asks our speaker as he continues to converse with the priest perched atop the urn .

He inquires as to "what green altar " the cow will be taken ("heifer").

An altar was used for sacrifices in classical times, and this one is covered with leaves and other vegetation to give it a verdant appearance. The sad cow must be aware of what is about to happen since it "lows" or moans towards the sky.

Its sides, or "flanks," are adorned with a floral garland or string. This cow is a sacred item that belongs with the gods.

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0000 The tone of an email to a good friend would probably be: formal and structured. entertaining and academic. casual and informal. None of the choices are correct.

Explanation: You may be as casual as you like with friends, breaking all the grammar and punctuation rules you want. But, that isn't true for communicating with clients and colleagues. Business correspondence should be professional. In an email, professional translates into conversational - not too casual and not too formal.

(Hope this helps, and a Happy New Year!)

What is Orwell's moral in Animal Farm?

The fundamental theme of Animal Farm is how long the average individual can continue to believe in a revolutio n that has been completely abandoned .

What point does Animal Farm make in the end?

Through George Orwell , the animals communicate their understanding that the pig farmers are now just as oppressive and cruel as human ones in the final graphic of the book. The conclusion also makes the point that political power always remains the same, regardless of who controls it and what ideology is used to sustain it.

The novel Animal Farm serves as a metaphor for the 1917 Russian Revolution . Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky, Josef Stalin, Napoleon, Squealer, and Boxer are all represented by Old Major, while all Russian laborers and workers are represented by Boxer.

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take a look at the diamond model that lists porter’s attributes of national competitive advantage. roll over each numbered example listed on the left to read a description. then drag each example into the correct attribute on the model. some attributes may have more than one example.

The Diamond Model , also known as the Porter Diamond Model or the National Diamond Model, is a framework developed by economist Michael Porter that explains the factors that contribute to the competitiveness of a nation in a global market. The model consists of four attributes:

1. Examples of factor conditions might include:

2. Examples of demand conditions might include:

3. Examples of related and supporting industries might include:

4. Examples of firm structure , strategy, and rivalry might include:

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Read the excerpt from an argumentative essay about voting. it does not seem like one vote can make a difference. every eligible person should vote. which revision offers the most improvement in sentence fluency?

According to an argumentative essay , every qualified voter should cast a ballot, even though it might not seem like it would make a difference.

In order to write an argumentative essay, a student must research a subject, gather, create, and assess supporting information , and succinctly present their stance.

In the example sentence, the independent clauses "It does not seem like one vote can make a difference" and "Every eligible individual should vote" indicate two opposing concepts . In order to increase sentence fluency, we must correctly connect these parts.

Hence/Therefore,

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What is step 3 of the writing process?

Drafting is step 3 of the writing process which is followed  by revising.

Drafting is the morning of “ jotting ” your paper. It's important to flash back that in drafting you should formerly have a thesis idea to guide your jotting. Without a thesis, your jotting will be prone to drift, making it harder to frame after the fact.

Revising allows the pen to consider the content, quality, and clarity of his or her composition. When scholars revise their work, they should look at the editing suggestions made by their preceptors and peers, and that they themselves arrived at during tone- editing, to determine how the edits and commentary can help to ameliorate their papers.

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How you could write a quadratic function in factored form?

Factored Form of Quadratic Function :

y = a ( x − r₁) ( x − r₂)

We factor the equation from standard form, just as it sounds, to arrive at factored form. We may also predict end behavior in the factored form of a quadratic using the value of aa. We know there are just two components, making the degree two, even though it is not as obvious. Finding the function's zeros, or xx-intercepts is another advantage of the factored form. Both r₁ and r₂ are zeros, or what is referred to as "solutions," of the quadratic function.

The factored form may not always be appropriate because not all quadratics have "real" zeros; some quadratics require imaginary integers as their zeros.

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Why are some mice light colored and some mice dark colored does fur color provide any selective advantage or disadvantage?

Mice with light-colored fur are camouflaged and less visible to predators on a light-colored substrate. Mice with dark fur blend in and are better able to avoid predation on a dark substrate . Mice with light-colored fur are easily identified by predators .

Substance is an amorphous gel-like compound in the extracellular fluid that contains all ECM proteins components except fibrous materials like collagen and elastin .

Ground substance is involved in tissue development, movement, and proliferation, as well as metabolism . On a light-colored substrate, mice with light-colored fur are camouflaged and less visible to predators .

Therefore, mice with dark fur blend in and can avoid predation better on a dark substrate. Predators can easily identify mice with light-colored fur.

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Who can defeat Sasuke?

Jigen is the strongest and most powerful character in Boruto's world, as he is able to face both Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha at the same time. Therefore, he has the skills and ability to defeat Sasuke.

Jigen and his ability to take on Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha at the same time and emerge victorious demonstrates Jigen's supremacy in the world of Boruto. This supremacy is mainly due to his special abilities .

Jigen possesses an ability called Kāma, which allows him to absorb and control the power of others. This ability makes him incredibly powerful, as it allows him to increase his strength and stamina at will . This allowed him to take on Naruto and Sasuke equally and eventually defeat them both.

In addition, Jigen was also able to use the Kāma to absorb the energy of the two jōnin and channel it into a lethal offense.

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Why are scholarships important for community?

Scholarships are an important part of the community because they provide students with the opportunity to pursue higher education and gain valuable knowledge and skills .

This can then be applied to their everyday lives, helping them to become more successful and productive members of society. Scholarships also help to increase access to higher education for students who may not have had the financial means to pursue it without assistance.

Receiving a scholarship can make the difference between students being able to afford college and not being able to attend. Scholarships also provide a sense of pride and accomplishment to students, as well as a feeling of being valued by the community.

Finally, scholarships can also help to bring diversity to the college experience, as they provide access to qualified students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

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From june to october, heavy seasonal rains cause flooding throughout a large portion of bangladesh. traveling becomes difficult or impossible. architect mohammed rezwan decided that if students could not travel to school, he needed to find a way to bring education to the students. he decided to turn boats into floating schools that could travel through flooded areas. rezwan began with one boat, but his fleet grew to over fifty boats. the boats now offer more than classes. they also serve as libraries, health clinics, and sources of electricity.

Mohammed Rezwan will discover the remedy. Based on the book, a large area of Bangladesh remains under water between June to October .

This is a result of recent heavy rains . The students are not able to commute to school as a result.Mohammed Rezwan devised a method to allow the children to continue their learning despite the pressing circumstance .He came up with a plan to help the students by enabling teachers to communicate with students using boats.He subsequently turned many boats into a sort of floating school. The notion of floating schools, which Rezwan first proposed, eventually expanded to include floating libraries, clinics, and other amenities that benefited Bangladeshi society.

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Why did the bird reject?

The independence and pleasure of flying in the open air are for the bird much more enjoyable than any other pleasures in her life, hence she refused to take all the numerous comforts the youngster provided.

She didn't want to give the youngster the cage in exchange for the child's hedonistic gifts.

She turned down the chance to become a work of art and made do with being a free bird that soars wherever she wants.

A parrot will often behave differently toward its owner if it feels uneasy around them. The parrot's response to its caretaker has changed as a result of anything confusing that transpired. The individual's attitude toward the parrot then alters as a result of this.

The cage was not something she was willing to accept in exchange for the child's materialistic gifts. Princess September pledged to take the bird outside each day so he could view the trees, the fields, and the lake. She offered, but the bird declined.

Full freedom was what he wanted. From within the cage, he claimed, viewing the sky and the fields was not the same as viewing them from a free location.

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What literary device is used to represent objects actions and ideas that appeals to physical senses?

The use of figurative language to convey thoughts, activities, and objects in a way that engages our senses is known as imagery .

If you've written creatively or studied it, you've probably heard the saying "create a picture with words." This is referred to as imagery in poetry and literature : the use of figurative language to arouse the reader's senses.

An allusion is a literary device that, in essence, alludes to external individuals, occasions, or objects, such as those found in the actual world or in another story . Remembering the definition of an allusion is simple if you have the verb "allude" in mind. When you make an allusion, you are making a reference to another idea.

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What is the meaning of mood in a poem?

The mood describes how word choice, subject matter, and the author's tone convey an overall feeling that characterizes the emotional landscape of a poem for readers.

why should greek gods not doing punish the mortals in the odyssey

the relationship between the Greek gods and the mortals have always been complicated. the gods can be generous and supportive but also harsh and destructive

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word. JOVIAL a. Judgmental b. Jeering c. Jealous d. Joyous

Was the day of infamy speech effective?

The day of infamy speech, delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 8th, 1941, has gone down in history as one of the most powerful, emotive, and effective speeches of all time.

In this address to the U.S. Congress and the American people, Roosevelt declared war on Japan for the attack on Pearl Harbor , which had taken place earlier that day. With his moving words, Roosevelt sought to galvanize the nation into action and to rally the public for the war effort.

The speech begins with an emotional appeal to the nation’s collective grief and outrage at the attack. Roosevelt poignantly states, “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” Through this direct and stark statement, he draws attention to the tragedy and makes it clear that the U.S. is under attack.

The speech then moves on to detail the events of the attack, emphasizing the destruction and the casualties. The facts are presented in a straightforward, unemotional manner, conveying the gravity of the situation. Roosevelt also outlines his intent to seek a declaration of war from Congress, and makes it clear that the U.S. is prepared to take decisive action in defense of its homeland.

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Identify which side of "The Penny Debate" you think will most influence you, and briefly explain why you chose this side

The side of " The Penny Debate " that influences me most is the financial arguments side. As a chartered accountant , I can easily identify with this financial arguments side instead of the sentimental arguments side, which are based mainly on intuition.

The penny, a one-cent coin , is a topic of discussion within the US government and American culture at large. It is believed that the penny should no longer be used as a form of payment in the country. The seigniorage is negative, which means that the government loses money on every penny produced since it costs more to manufacture a penny than it is worth in terms of one cent.

There were many legislation that would have stopped the manufacturing of pennies in the US Congress , but none of them were passed. With such notes, the nickel , which is worth five cents, would become the lowest-value coin ever produced in the US.

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PLEASE HELP!! which statement best describes how the connotation of the word Giants affects the passages meaning? Brad gulped. The chess match would be between him, a weekend player, and Harvey, on of the biggest giants of the game. A. The connotation suggests that Harvey already knows Brad plays. B. The connotation suggests that Harvey is much older than Brad. C.The connotation suggests that Harvey has a reputation for being good at chess. D. The connotation suggests that Harvey studies chess full-time in school.

The connotation suggests that Harvey has a reputation for being good at chess, which best describes how the word Giants affects the meaning of the passage. Thus, option C is correct.

A connotation is used to commonly understood cultural or emotional association that any given word or passage carries. A connotation is frequently described as either positive or negative in terms of the emotional connection it evokes .

From the given information, the connotation implies that Harvey is well-known for his chess skills , which best describes that the word Giants influences the meaning of the passage.

Therefore, option C is correct, that the connotation implies that Harvey is well-known for his chess skills .

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when does singer use the pronoun we? when does he use you? how does this shift reflect and contribute to appeals of ethos and pathos?

Singer uses "we" eight times in the first paragraphs. By dramatizing this predicament, Singer appeals to the reader's morals and, more crucially, their ethos and pathos .

The writer's personality is drawn to ethos. Ethos can also be said as the author's position inside an argument and the strength of the writer's case. In addition to the established beliefs and values, pathos appeals to human emotions and the sympathetic imagination.

Pathos, often recognised as the appeal to emotions, is a literary device used to persuade or convince readers by deliberately arousing particular feelings in them to produce the desired emotional response in them.

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What kind of animal is Ruby?

Ruby was a small baby elephant in the novel one and only evan.

Ruby was a baby elephan t that just arrived at the mall. Ruby recently lost her mother and is untrained in circus tricks. Mack's treatment of Ruby ultimately drives Ivan to find a way to save her. She can also tell when people are lying.

The caregiver from the African elephant orphanage where Ruby grew up now lives in a wildlife sanctuary . When she sees him again, she is flooded with happy and sad memories of her life before the circus, and she tells Ivan and Bob of her time spent in the African savannah .

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What do you mean by point mutation?

Point mutations are changes in the genetic sequence that take place at a precise location along the DNA strand, unlike certain mutations that affect huge regions of DNA .

Any alteration to the DNA's nucleotide sequence is referred to as a mutation. Different mutations have varying degrees of severity. For instance, chromosome mutations affect significant chunks of DNA or even whole chromosomes. Changes in the genetic sequence that take place at a particular location along the DNA strand are known as point mutations. There are numerous methods by which a point mutation might occur. They result from random errors that happen as a DNA sequence is being constructed. Rarely can point mutations affect more than one nucleotide. They often entail one nucleotide being added, removed , or swapped out for another. Base substitutions, insertions and deletions are the fundamental subtypes of point mutations. 

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Is stress a tone word?

The stress,or prominence at the prosodic word level,is performed on the first syllable of a root.Thus,stress and tone usually occur on the same syllable.

Ashamed feel self-conscious or uncomfortable enraged.make extremely angry rage infuriate they only separate from each other when the negative prefix causes the movement of the tone to the initial syllable,leaving a second syllable stressed but without ton enthusiastic excited There are a number of tones that can convey motivation in someone. A fairly common tone that you are likely to see in someone who is motivated is positive. When someone is motivated ,they are likely to use more positive language and tone throughout.You should also be able to sense some trust in them. The mood is the atmosphere of the story, and the tone is the author's attitude towards the subject.We can identify both by looking at the setting, characters,details,and word choices.Doing so will help us find meaning in the story or passage and help us feel more connected to the writing.

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Read the following passage about Queen Anne, who ruled England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1702-1707. Then, answer the question that follows. The women, instead of tempering the animosities of the time, blew up the flame of discord. Based on the use of "blew up" as an antonym context clue, what can you inter the word tempering means in this passage?

B. To calm or lessen

Based on the use of "blew up" as an antonym c ontext clue, it can be inferred that the word " tempering " in this passage means to calm or lessen th e animosities of the time.

Anne backed the 1707 Acts of Union, which combined the thrones of Scotland and England into one nation . The UK was established. Also, she skillfully paved the way for George I to replace her, never allowing him to come to England while she was in charge out of concern that his presence may undermine her authority.

The final Stuart monarch, Queen Anne, passed away. Sophia of Hanover had only recently passed away; as a result, George, E lector of Hanover, became George I of Great Britain .

A word that means the exact opposite of another word is called an antonym. When a writer uses a term (or a phrase) that has a differen t meaning from one you might not understand, antonyms are employed as context cues.

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How would you describe Gilgamesh as a hero?

Gilgamesh was consid-ered a hero because he had many great qual-ities, such as loyalty , persev-erance, and heroism . Although the-se are heroic traits, he also had his fl-aws and was self-righteous, selfish, and pride-ful . Gilgamesh was a gr-eat man and was seen as flaw-less and “perfect in strength”.

Gilgamesh 's circum-stances are consistent with tho-se of most epic heroes: He is himself part divine, he inter-acts with gods and god-desses, and his story invo-lves a series of adventures and super-human victories. During his adventures, Gilga-mesh is on a quest to find the sec-rets of immortality.

Gilgamesh is port-rayed as a true hero thr-ough his skill , intelligence, willing-ness to die, reverence , and his res-pect for death.

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How to Write the RPI Supplemental Essays 2023–2024

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is known for their rigorous engineering program , vibrant campus community , and 200-year history of research advancements. Their accomplished alumni include astronaut Jack Swigert, ARPANET originator Raymond Tomlinson, and Nobel Prize-winner Ivar Giaever, among many others. Hoping to follow in their footsteps? First you’ll need to nail your RPI supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

RPI 2023-2024 Prompts

The following prompts are required only for applicants to specific programs. If you are applying to the Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program , the Architecture (ARCH) program, the Electronic Arts (EART) program, the Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS) program, or the Music (MUSC) program, you’ll need to write the respective essay. If not, you’re off the hook!

Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program: State your reasons for aspiring to a career in medicine. (500-750 words)

Architecture (arch): state your reasons for choosing architecture as your profession (1–2 pages) ., electronic arts (eart): discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts, and state how this is reflected in your portfolio, if one has been submitted (1–2 pages) ., games and simulation arts and sciences (gsas): state your reasons for choosing the field of games and simulation arts and sciences, making reference to your portfolio if one has been submitted (1–2 pages)., music (musc): describe your interest in the music major and your goals. please include completed course work in music, private music instruction, musical performance and production experience, or completed independent projects (1–2 pages) ..

General Tips

The RPI supplemental essays all have word limits higher than the average college essay, leading to one of the biggest challenges students have in writing successful essays: organization.

An organized essay not only communicates nuanced ideas to the reader, but it does so in a logical fashion. The reader shouldn’t sense that certain topics receive undue attention while others leave unanswered questions. In addition, the essay has a clear introduction and conclusion. In other words, the reader doesn’t see the conclusion as a restatement of the introduction, even if the ideas both parts of the essay espouse are similar. Instead, the reader can follow the progression of ideas in the essay from the beginning to the end.

What does an organized essay look like in practice? Put simply, it’s easy to compose an outline for an organized essay. Although some students find that writing outlines is a helpful tactic, others find it to be a stifling exercise. If that sounds like you, no problem. Yes, an outline is very useful, but it doesn’t need to be written before you’ve drafted your essay. Instead, you can compose a draft via your usual writing process, and then compose a “reverse outline.” Go through each paragraph and write down its main idea. There, you’ve got a reverse outline.

Once you’ve composed your outline (or reverse outline), consider it from a more macro-level. Does each idea build upon the prior one? Do you address each part of the prompt in your essay? Do any of your paragraphs not relate to the prompt (if so, consider removing them)? Does any idea receive undue attention while other ideas receive cursory attention? Do any paragraphs pack in too many ideas? Or do any paragraphs not fully address any ideas? Lastly, is there anything crucial missing?

After considering all of the questions above, the necessary edits to your essay outline (and, by extension, your essay) should be clear. If not, though, feel free to reach out to our College Essay Review service for personalized help!

RPI Short Essay Questions

This prompt is simple, but difficult. Writing 500-750 words about your chosen career path may sound intimidating, but there are a few strategies you can implement to make the process easier.

For instance, if you have experienced a particular critical moment in your life that inspired you to pursue this career, or multiple moments, you can also consider writing this narrative/these narratives into your essay. For instance, was there an occasion when you witnessed a healthcare professional doing their job and felt inspired to follow in their footsteps? If so, recounting this experience could help make your essay more vivid and personal. That said, narrative(s) should not be the sole basis for your essay. Most important is that your essay genuinely represents your reasoning

You may also want start with composing a list of your reasons for pursuing a medical career. This can be a casual list, and your reasons can range from “stable future salary” to “it’s what my parents want for me” to a generic “helping people.” At this stage, the list is just for you. What’s most important is getting everything on the page for yourself.

Then, once you’ve got your list down, pick 2-4 specific reasons that you’d like to focus on in your essay. The rest of the reasons can manifest as smaller points or just remain in the back of your mind as more subtle influences in your writing process. Why is it best to whittle your list down and not try to pack every reason into your essay? In most cases, a long list of reasons will make for an unfocused, abstract essay. Ideally, your essay describes concrete reasons and moves between each point with clear transitions. That way, your reader will understand the nuances of each reason and how each reason applies uniquely to you.

This prompt requires you to consider your past, present, and future—all in 1–2 pages! Of course, this isn’t easy to implement. Let’s discuss some strategies to make writing this essay a little bit more straightforward.

First, you may want to start with a list of reasons that drive you to pursue the architectural profession. For instance, what experiences in your past led you to consider the field of architecture? What research, internships, projects, etc. are you pursuing currently that solidify your passion for the field? And how do you envision your future in an architectural career?

Given that “architecture” is a broad field, you may want to indicate to the reader what you hope to specialize in. If your drive to pursue architecture is propelled by your visions of a greener future, then perhaps you can explain why environmental protection is one of your reasons for pursuing architecture, as well as being the sub-field that most interests you. This strategy allows your essay to do double-duty by sharing more about your academic interests while still answering the question.

This essay prompt seeks to understand your interests, your portfolio (ideally, one has been submitted), and, if possible, what you hope to do with these interests in the future. On their webpage, the RPI EART program lists “videographers, art directors, graphic designers, audio engineers, musicians, gallery artists, animators, storyboard artists, and more” as careers for their alumni. If one or more of these careers speaks to you, then diving into that career here could help clarify your interests in the electronics arts field for the reader.

If you’re having trouble gaining inspiration for this essay, consider the projects, opportunities, etc. that you’ve pursued in the electronic arts field. Alternatively, consider your favorite artists or other creators and how they inspire you to follow in their footsteps—or forge your own path over the foundation they’ve built! Describing your influences and past experiences in the field of electronic arts will help demonstrate to the reader the depth of your interests and engagement.

Don’t forget to discuss how your portfolio reflect your interests. Focus on the works whose influences or messages might not be clear if the portfolio is evaluated in isolation. In other words, you may want to say the most about the works that are most likely to confuse the admissions team evaluating them.

Alternatively, you can focus on the works that reflect the interdisciplinary nature of your interests, the social justice message underpinning them, or the artistic vision driving them, to name a few directions this essay could take. Most crucial is that the interests you choose to discuss in this essay are clearly named and defined for the reader. Write authentically and in direct response to the prompt, and you’ll do fine.

This prompt might look simple, but many students will find it difficult. If it’s helpful, consider writing an outline to guide your essay draft. You can write a chronological outline that starts with your inspiration, moves onto how you pursue your field today, before describing how you envision your career.

Alternatively, you can try writing up a list of reasons you wish to pursue games and simulation arts and sciences. In your brainstorming process, think broadly with the interests you choose to put on this list. Remember, this exercise is just to get you thinking. If one of your reasons feels too personal or unnecessary for the admissions team to know, you have no obligation to include it in your essay. That said, your list might surprise you. At least in the brainstorming stage, don’t hold back.

This essay should provide specific details and remain focused throughout. In most cases, this means writing thoughtfully and thoroughly about just a few of your reasons.

If you’re unsure which reasons to focus on, try free-writing about the ones you’re deciding between. Give yourself 150 words, maximum, per reason in this exercise. Write until you’ve used up your 150 words. Try to write without lifting your pen from the page (or your fingers from the keyboard)! Hopefully, this process will show you which reasons provide the most room for fruitful discussion.

Lastly, you will ideally submit a portfolio and discuss it in this essay. If a particular work reflects one or more of your reasons, then you can (and should) bring it up in this essay. Remember, your reasons can be as simple as “I enjoy X” or “Y fulfills my creative side.” Whatever reasons you pick, though, you’ll need to explain with detail and examples, if applicable.

This essay should have three parts:

• Your interest in the music major.
• Your goals as a result of pursuing the music major.
• Your musical history.

Your college application might already cover some of these topics (particularly the third point listed above). You’re still expected to rehash them here, even if in brief. When addressing this third part, you can tie your response to the first and/or second part(s). For instance, you can describe a particular course you took and how it inspired your interest in the music field. Alternatively, you can express how a specific project you completed brought you closer to your goals.

This essay response, more than the other RPI supplemental essays, also provides you with the opportunity to express why RPI is the right school for you. You’re not asked to describe your interest in music, but rather in “the music major.” Thus, conducting some research into RPI’s music offerings could help you build a more effective essay. For instance, mentioning how a particular professor, course, club, or other opportunity at RPI attracts you will help you answer the question about your interest in the music major.

Describing your goals could sound like an intimidating task. However, you should see it as a good opportunity to define what RPI experience you’d most like to have. Entering college with defined goals—whether career, personal, or academic—can help you choose courses with intention, pursue extracurriculars purposefully, and overall get more out of your undergraduate experience. Although your goals may evolve throughout your undergraduate years, starting out with defined, yet dynamic goals can only help.

Regardless, you’ll need to indicate some of these goals in this essay. It can be helpful to visualize yourself in five years. Where are you working? What knowledge do you possess? How have you changed as a person? And, most importantly (for this essay, not in general), how has RPI’s music major helped you become that person you see in your future? If you can answer this question, you’re well on your way to a successful essay.

If you need help polishing up your RPI supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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Application Prompts for 2024-2025

Your essay and short answer responses help us get to know you.

We’ve selected the following prompts for the UNC-specific portion for the first-year and transfer applications for 2024-2025. We’re proud of the Carolina community and how each student makes us better through their excellence, intellect, and character. In reading your responses, we hope to learn what being a part of the Carolina community would mean to you.

Short answer prompts

We’d like to know how you’d contribute to the Carolina community and ask that you respond to each prompt in up to 250 words.

• Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. This could be your current community or another community you have engaged.
• Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college.

Common Application essay

You’ll choose one Common Essay prompt to respond to in 250-650 words. These prompts are common to all schools who accept the Common Application, and you can view the prompts here. Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so. The Common Application also has an optional section where you’ll have the opportunity to write about how COVID-19 has affected you.

Your responses will be evaluated not only for admission, but also for possible selection for scholarships and other special opportunities. We look forward to learning more about you!

Advice for Your Application

First-year application, transfer application.

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• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

• Catch your reader’s attention.
• Give background on your topic.
• Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

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Table of contents

Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

• Braille was an extremely important invention.
• The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly  why the topic is important.

• The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
• The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

• Mary Shelley’s  Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

• Historical, geographical, or social context
• An outline of the debate you’re addressing
• A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
• Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A  good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

• Argumentative
• Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

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Dr. sanjay gupta: it’s time for president biden to undergo detailed cognitive and neurological testing and share his results.

When the 46th President of the United States took the debate stage a week ago, it became apparent, even from his first answer, that this would not be the performance he hoped for.

For me as a brain specialist, it was concerning to watch President Joe Biden, and it quickly became clear that I was not alone in my reaction. Over the past week, I received more than a dozen calls, texts and emails from medical colleagues who, like me, specialize in the brain. It wasn’t that what we noticed was necessarily new but that it was particularly pronounced, and right from the start of the debate.

Related article Biden facing intense scrutiny as campaign ramps up unscripted events

From a neurological standpoint, we were concerned with his confused rambling; sudden loss of concentration in the middle of a sentence; halting speech and absence of facial animation, resulting at times in a flat, open-mouthed expression. To be clear, these are only observations, not in any way diagnostic of something deeper, and none of these doctors wished to suggest that was the case.

The consensus from the doctors reaching out to me, however, was that the president should be encouraged to undergo detailed cognitive and movement disorder testing, and those results should be made available to the public.

Over the past five years, I have reported extensively on the advances in the world of treating and reducing risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia. For the documentary “The Last Alzheimer’s Patient,” I even went through extensive cognitive testing to demonstrate what it entailed and determine whether I had problems with executive functioning, judgment or memory lapses, as well as blood tests to determine things like the level of abnormal proteins that may be present in my brain and my B12 levels. My sense of smell and my genetic risk factors were checked. This type of testing is not necessary for most people as a matter of routine, but every one of the brain doctors I spoke to recommended that level of examination for Biden.

Biden’s health history

The last official report in February was a health summary which concluded that the president was “fit for duty.” The White House said a team of 20 doctors, including a neurologist, participated in completing his physical. An “extremely detailed” neurologic exam found nothing consistent with neurological disorders, the summary said. It also found no evidence of Parkinson’s disease that might explain his stiff gait and decreased expression in his face. Although Parkinson’s disease is the most common cause of parkinsonism - a set of movement symptoms such as stiffness and tremor – there are other causes as well, and it was not clear in the medical report that those had been investigated. They did find evidence of neuropathy and arthritis in his feet, which can cause numbness, weakness and pain. There was no mention of any sort of cognitive testing .

Biden was examined by his physician after the debate to check on a cold, the White House said, but it was a “brief check” and not a physical. When White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked this week whether Biden should receive and release the results of any kind of cognitive test, she replied that his medical team has said it’s “not necessary.”

Related article I have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. I wanted to understand my own risk

It’s true that the trajectory of aging varies from person to person. Biden is 81, and former President Donald Trump is 78. Both have already lived longer than the average American male lifespan of 74.8 years. This isn’t necessarily surprising, as both men have access to high-quality health care, and they don’t drink or smoke. Biden’s medical team has previously disclosed that he had two separate brain operations for aneurysms, including one that ruptured on the left side of his brain, in 1988, and there is some evidence that this type of hemorrhage may increase the risk of delayed cognitive problems later in life. Trump’s father died of Alzheimer’s disease at 93. Neither man has any other known risk factors for cognitive decline.

Trump does at times display some of these same signs as Biden, including nonsensical rants as well as confusing names and current events. He said he’d undergone the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, known as MoCA, in the past. According to his medical team, he received a perfect score when he took the test in 2018. Trump said he took a second cognitive test for his last physical exam at the end of 2023 and “aced it.” In a note at the end of last year, Dr. Bruce Aronwald wrote that Trump’s cognitive exams “were exceptional.” Trump has not released his actual medical records, and memos about his health that were previously released have at times used hyperbolic language, unusual for medical documentation.

The MoCA isn’t the same level of cognitive testing the medical experts I spoke to would like to see Biden do, but it could serve as an initial screening tool for cognitive decline. For Trump, this might be considered either a screening test or a baseline to understand how his cognition might be changing. It’s not clear that Biden has ever had such a baseline examination for comparison.

An ‘episode’ or a ‘condition’?

To be clear, there are aspects of aging that can be beneficial to the job of the presidency. Older people may “have something called crystalized intelligence, which is the accumulated wisdom associated with the passage of time,” according to Jay Olshansky, professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois-Chicago. This is our knowledge that comes from learning and experiences.

Related article White House now says Biden was seen by his doctor days after debate

On the other hand, there are definitely aspects of cognition that decline as we age — especially fluid abilities like processing speed, attention span and memory. This is normal and expected and doesn’t necessarily stand in the way of someone’s ability to do their job. But for a minority of us, that decline is steeper and can lead to dementia. Think of this as the difference between forgetting where you put your keys and not understanding what your keys are for.

Still, determining a diagnosis of dementia is not as straightforward as many believe, and there are many other things that could account for the clinical observations I described above. A poor night’s sleep or low blood sugar can have an impact. A viral illness or the medications used to treat those symptoms can result in temporary brain fog.

Biden and his aides have said it was a “bad night.” The White House press team said Biden had a cold but did not take any medications to treat symptoms. After the debate, Jean-Pierre added that he had jet lag following overseas travel earlier in the month and worked late doing his presidential duties as well as preparing for the debate. According to three sources briefed on these comments, Biden told Democratic governors during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday that he will stop scheduling events after 8 p.m. so he can get more sleep. The debate started at 9 p.m. Eastern.

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“It’s a legitimate question” whether Biden’s debate performance was an “episode” or a “condition,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during an MSNBC interview Tuesday.

That is precisely why detailed testing is important. It can help determine whether there is a simpler explanation for the symptoms displayed or if there is something more concerning. As a doctor, I would want to understand the possibility of underlying dementia because, over the past several years, we have learned that there are medical treatments and lifestyle changes that can delay and, in some cases, even reverse the symptoms of the disease. These are hopeful days when it comes to dementia, and early diagnosis and treatment is better than it has ever been.

Seeking answers

With an election looming in November, we don’t have answers about Biden.

The White House has rejected requests from the press to release more medical records and question Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor. Biden’s press secretary said O’Connor watched the debate and had no concerns afterward.

Elected officials, like anyone else, are entitled to some level of privacy, and under federal health-care laws, there is no ability for someone to obtain personal medical information on an individual unless authorized, even the president. There is also no requirement for the president or candidates to disclose that information. Most do not. In fact, in the 23 years I have been reporting on these topics, only Sen. John McCain — one of the oldest presidential candidates in US history — shared all of his records with me and the American public.

We often hear that observing a candidate on the campaign trail is the best assessment of the individual’s physical and cognitive health. Back in 2020, Biden said he was “constantly tested” by the work of running for president. “All you’ve got to do is watch me,” he said then.

The country is watching now, and that assessment gives cause for concern — and a need for transparent testing.

CNN’s Amanda Sealy contributed to this report

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Sarah Lawrence College takes swipe at the Supreme Court, inviting students to write their application essay about the court's ruling that tossed affirmative action

• Sarah Lawrence College is inviting undergrad applicants to write about how the Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action is impacting their lives. 
• In June, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to consider race in college applications. 
• But Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that students can still, in essays, write about how race has affected their lives. 

Sarah Lawrence College has a unique response to the Supreme Court's June decision to overturn affirmative action : encourage college applicants to make it the topic of their essay.

Sarah Lawrence's admissions website says prospective students applying to be undergraduates at the small liberal arts college in Yonkers, New York, for the 2023-2024 school year should use the Common App.

As a supplement to that, "there may be more you want to tell us that just didn't quite fit into the rest of the application," the admissions site says. Students are then invited to choose from three additional essay prompts to aid their application materials.

Sarah Lawrence's Dean of Admissions Kevin McKenna told Insider that one of the optional essay prompts typically "asked students to reflect on the values of diversity and inclusivity within a community like ours."

"It felt a little disingenuous to simply re-use the same prompt this year in light of such a major ruling around race in admissions," McKenna told Insider.

"So we developed this new prompt in that spirit of still trying to foreground important attributes of our learning community, of which we identified two: first, that we ask our students to take on tough questions and challenging real-world topics head-on, with intellectual rigor and thoughtfulness; and secondly, that as a community that values diversity and equity in education as part of its mission, the current national conversations around race are of the utmost importance to us," he added.

The third prompt points directly to the Supreme Court and its decision.

It specifically calls out Chief Justice John Roberts' written opinion, which states that although colleges and universities shouldn't consider race as it stands alone, they can consider how race has affected an applicant's life.

"In a 2023 majority decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, 'Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affected the applicant's life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university,'" Sarah Lawrence's essay prompt reads.

The prompt continues: "Drawing upon examples from your life, a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability you possess, describe how you believe your goals for a college education might be impacted, influenced, or affected by the Court's decision."

Instead of doing as Roberts suggested by asking applicants to write about how race has affected their lives, Sarah Lawrence is instead inviting students to write about how their lives — and their futures — might be affected by the Court's decision to abolish affirmative action.

McKenna said that "in the discussion of how this prompt came to be, that it is not intended to set any expectations that an applicant should feel that they need to address past traumas or injustices in order to gain admission to the college."

"Like many institutions and organizations working in higher education, our admissions office is concerned about the added anxiety this year that students (particularly black, brown, or indigenous students, but also students who may identify as LGBTQ) are going to feel forced into relaying narratives that they wouldn't otherwise choose to share with colleges," he added.

Instead, McKenna said that with the addition of the new third prompt, the school is "hoping to provide a space for students (if they choose) to address a challenging topic in society, and one that could directly impact the make-up of the student bodies of the colleges to which they are applying."

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"The ability to deftly weave one's personal background, their goals for college, and their thoughtful reflections on a major societal issue into a cohesive statement or argument would speak very well to their ability to do the kind of work a liberal arts college like SLC demands of our students," McKenna added.

The Supreme Court's decision led by the conservative justices found that affirmative action policies, which allowed schools to account for a student's race in order to accept more diverse applicants, were discriminatory.

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