Step on planning Despite the fact that, as Shakespeare said, "the pen is mightier than the sword," the pen itself is not enough to make an effective writer. In fact, though we may all like to think of ourselves as the next Shakespeare, inspiration alone is not the key to effective essay writing. You see, the conventions of English essays are more formulaic than you might think and, in many ways, it can be as simple as counting to five. Steps to Writing an Essay Follow these 7 steps for the best results: Read and understand the prompt: Know exactly what is being asked of you. Its a good idea to dissect the prompt into parts. Plan: Brainstorming and organizing your ideas will make your life much easier when you go to write your essay. Its a good idea to make a web of your ideas and supporting details. Use and cite sources: Do your research. Use quotes and paraphrase from your sources, but NEVER plagiarize. Write a Draft: Ernest Hemingway once said, The first draft of anything is always crap. While the truth behind this statement is debatable, drafts are always a good place to get any of your crappy ideas out of the way and are often required by professors and instructors. Make a strong thesis: The thesis (main argument) of the essay is the most important thing youll write. Make it a strong point. Respond to the prompt: Once you have worked out any kinks in your draft, you can start writing the final draft of your essay. Proofread: Read your response carefully to make sure that there are no mistakes and that you didnt miss anything. Of course, every essay assignment is different and its important to be mindful of that. If one of these steps isnt applicable to the essay you are writing, skip it and move to the next one. sure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more Got it! InternationalStudent.com General Essay Writing Tips Despite the fact that, as Shakespeare said, "the pen is mightier than the sword," the pen itself is not enough to make an effective writer. In fact, though we may all like to think of ourselves as the next Shakespeare, inspiration alone is not the key to effective essay writing. You see, the conventions of English essays are more formulaic than you might think and, in many ways, it can be as simple as counting to five. Steps to Writing an Essay Follow these 7 steps for the best results: Read and understand the prompt: Know exactly what is being asked of you. Its a good idea to dissect the prompt into parts. Plan: Brainstorming and organizing your ideas will make your life much easier when you go to write your essay. Its a good idea to make a web of your ideas and supporting details. Use and cite sources: Do your research. Use quotes and paraphrase from your sources, but NEVER plagiarize. Write a Draft: Ernest Hemingway once said, The first draft of anything is always crap. While the truth behind this statement is debatable, drafts are always a good place to get any of your crappy ideas out