Essay writing forms an important part of various competitive exams. Essay writing tests require you to understand the topic, evaluate its various aspects and justify your ideas about it. An essay reflects your attitude, knowledge, vision and opinion regarding the concerned topic. Examiners intend to gauge your analytical ability as well as knowledge quotient from your essay. The article intends to acquaint you with the points to keep in mind while writing an essay.
Do’s of effective essay writing:
Read the instructions and make sure that you understand them well before starting the essay.
Make sure that your outline of the essay covers every required dimension of the given topic.
Stick to the given word limit.
Ensure that each paragraph is in sync with the topic.
Get to the point soon after giving a broad overview of the topic.
Pay special attention to the first line and the first paragraph of the essay.
The strongest points should be stated in the starting and last paragraphs of the essay.
The concluding paragraph should be preferably in a summarizing and optimistic tone.
The solutions and suggestions in the concluding paragraph should follow from the points stated in the preceding body paragraphs.
Don’ts of effective essay writing:
Do not spend too much time on writing the introductory paragraph of the essay.
Do not go too far generalizing the topic at the start.
Refrain from narrating very long incidents or stories in the essay.
Do not use all capital letters in the heading.
Avoid writing very long sentences.
Short forms should be strictly avoided in the essay.
Do not use irrelevant facts or figures.
Avoid stating facts or figures if you are unsure about them.
Do not use more than 7-8 words for the title of essay.
Conclusion should not be forced; it should reflect the points stated in the rest of the essay.
Avoid introducing any new information or ideas in the concluding paragraph.
After you are done writing the essay, check for any possible changes or corrections. Proof-read your essay till it enforces the message you want to convey to the reader.
Keep the above points in mind to write a good essay. Also, update yourself with the latest issues and knowledge about diverse topics. It is best to practice writing essays on important topics before the actual exam.