Depending on the high school you attend or the state you live in, you may have to write a final essay or take the Regents exam. This book contains specific strategies to help you write good essays, no matter what type you write. Unlike basic writing guides that contain lots of information you don't need, How to Write Great Essays focuses on the topics that are most important to you now.
You won't find a comprehensive guide to mechanics here, but instead you'll get short but thorough lessons on the most common mistakes in grammar, spelling, usage, and how to avoid and correct them. Chapter 1 shows you how to organize your thoughts and ideas before you start writing, using techniques such as free writing, brainstorming, and sketching. The last three chapters of How to Write Great Essays will arm you with specific strategies for writing both timed (SAT, GED) and non-timed (college application, exit) essays.
Learn how to research your exam, familiarize yourself with possible subject choices, and budget your time during the writing process. You'll be able to see how a number of writers approached both timed and non-timed essay topics, and learn even more about how to write a great essay.
WRITE
GREAT
ESSAYS
HOW TO
FREEWRITING
It works well if you have some thoughts on a topic but can't envision them as an essay. The key is to keep writing without regard to grammar, spelling, or the dignity of ideas. Don't censor yourself; your freewriting will not be seen by others, so put every thought on paper.
Try the process again after focusing your subject; more ideas can be generated.
BRAINSTORMING OR LISTING
Your speed will help you not be able to edit or discard any ideas. As with free writing, don't edit or censor any ideas, and ignore the rules of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
CONCEPT MAPPING/ WEBBING
TAKING STOCK WITH THE 5 WS
READING GOOD WRITING
This kind of confusion can occur when a word has more than one possible meaning. The quarterback liked to address his issues is a better phrase, and is unlikely to be misunderstood. Because the sentence with the red sports car is in the wrong place, the meaning of the sentence is unclear. O One of the best ways to accurately convey your ideas in your essay is to choose the right words.
Hint: Imagine a parenthesis by the word that follows. "The book, which (incidentally) Joanne prefers, is her first novel," is incorrect. Profanity—the last thing you want to do is turn off or offend your reader. The first sentence uses the preposition to describe the spatial relationship between the box and the desk. The second sentence uses the preposition after to describe the time relationship between holiday and birthday.
Below are two examples of required prepositions—the preposition is italicized and the supported word is underlined. It is important to write to the best of your ability, within the guidelines of the essay. It is essential that you gather all the information you can about each requirement before starting your essay.
Take advantage of the fact that those who will grade your essay are right in your school. Feel free to use your imagination and realize that those who read this will not mind being entertained.” Seton Hall University puts it this way: "The application lists several topic suggestions, but feel free to write about any topic that you feel is relevant and will allow us to get to know you." The best way to write a compelling introduction is to wait to write it until you have completed the rough draft of the rest of your essay.
Summary of your essay. The biggest blunder is when the essay is short enough that you can expect your reader to remember what you wrote a few paragraphs ago. Compare "In today's society, people don't practice good manners often enough" with "Good manners are an essential part of a civil society." The problem with the first sentence is the first three words. "In today's society" is a clichéd opening, whereas the second sentence makes its point directly, without it. I clearly remember the first time I heard the poem "The Dash". I was still a boy, 8th grade, and I was in an elementary school where I practiced basketball with my travel team.
Maiden wrote: "People may forget your birth and death, but they will never forget your march." The dash represents people's lives, what they did in life. My dash is something I hold very close to my heart because I know it's the only thing I'll really care about in the end. The writer's use of language is sophisticated, especially in his or her use of vocabulary ("refined," "expressive," "taboo") that is intelligent without sounding "sophisticated." Varied sentence structure is also a sign of a solid understanding of writing skills.
He doesn't identify the specific genre, just calling them "stories." The writer provides specific details of both texts and credits both authors, although he misspells Angelou's name twice.
