by Guide to Writing and Planning an Essay
An essay is a type of writing that falls under the category of thought pieces in literature. A distinctive feature of essays is that they express thoughts in a sincere and understandable language, without the need to be assertive about any topic or prove the thoughts presented. The language of an essay is close and natural to everyday speech.
Essays are typically texts where the writer freely expresses their observations, experiences, and thoughts, without adhering to a rigid plan or evidence. Michel de Montaigne, a 16th-century French writer, is recognized as a pioneer of the essay form.
Planning for Essay Writing
Before starting to write an essay, it’s beneficial to make a plan. This plan usually consists of three parts:
- Introduction
- Development
- Conclusion
When planning, the topics to be discussed in these three sections, along with examples, metaphors, and quotations to be used, should be predetermined. This can often be done by identifying the topics for the introduction, development, and conclusion sections in the form of question sentences. To make a writing plan, there needs to be a topic that is suitable for discussion.
The choice of topic can be broad. If you aim to engage the reader, it is recommended to choose current or always relevant topics. The most crucial aspect is that your writing conveys a message. Writing without a main idea is like a fisherman forgetting to bait his hook.
Determining the Main Idea in an Essay
There are three ways to establish the main idea in an essay:
- Present the main idea in the introduction, then continue with details that support and elaborate on it.
- Start with supporting statements in the introduction and development sections, then present the main idea in the conclusion in a few sentences.
- Spread the main idea throughout the essay, leaving it open to the reader’s interpretation.
You can begin writing an essay by choosing one of these methods.
