I do well with English (spelling, grammar), but I haven’t had to write essays.
What are the basics? I’ll be doing a history essay soon. As far as I understand, in the first paragraph I summarize what I’m going to be telling the reader, and in the middle paragraphs I go into further detail on those points. In the last paragraph, I summarize what I’ve already told the reader.
Is that correct? What else should I know?
Also, any good links to tell me how to properly reference sources?
Thanks!
@icor1031 that depends on the topic, intent (summary, argumentative, presenting original research etc.), and desired length of your essay. But in general, it helps to keep your essay organized without sidetracking. Maybe separate your essay into sections or subsections if needed.
Typically for the last paragraph/section, I don’t really like summarizing what I’ve already told as it can make the essay unnecessarily repetitive. There are several nice ways to conclude an essay. Many math or science papers might conclude their research by introducing new hypotheses, for example.
OWL at Purdue.
Here’s my assignment:
“Essay Question: Historian Alfred Crosby argues that Columbus and other European explorers re-knit the torn “seams of Pangaea.” Exactly what does he mean? What were the most significant achievements and liabilities each continent introduced to the other? Why did the ecological factors surrounding the re-connecting of the continents favor the Old World? Is there any irony in this? What if the pattern of exploration was reversed? What if the “New World” discovered and attempted to colonize the “Old?” Assuming they had the technology to launch this effort, could the people of the western hemisphere have succeeded in such an attempt? Why or why not? DUE BY 11:59 September 11!”
@icor1031 well it seems like you have plenty to talk about.
It also helps greatly to outline your essay (not sure if your teacher talked about outlines) before starting the actual writing/typing.
@MITer94 My teacher is almost completely absent, which I like. The course mostly is self-paced, he just has certain regulations to follow.
I can e-mail him if I have questions, but it’s otherwise rather silent.
Like this outline?
https://www.google.com/search?q=outlining+essay&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjL_YmGiOXOAhVR72MKHfonCVcQ_AUICCgB&biw=2560&bih=1349#imgrc=uxT_RykPtgLaXM%3A
@icor1031 yes, pretty much.