How you start an essay sets the pace for whether you will write a compelling essay or not. Your reader also decides whether to read your essay or not depending on how strongly the introduction captures him or her. However, starting an essay is more than just writing a captivating introduction. Here is a guide on how to start an essay.
Tips on how to start an essay
1. Determine Your Thesis Statement
The thesis statement sets the tone for everything that the essay will cover. A well-researched thesis statement is a spine that will maintain the flow of your thoughts in your entire essay. It is, therefore, important to take some time to create the best thesis statement possible.
A good thesis statement arises from a good understanding of the problem you wish to cover in the essay. The thesis statement should also challenge the reader to want to know how the essay will address this problem.
Layout the problem that you wish to address, and then experiment with different questions that you can ask in reference to the problem. Once you have done this, try to find the right mix of words that can illustrate this problem and how you wish to answer the thesis statement. Pick the one that you feel is most compelling.
2. Researching And Brainstorming
One of the main reasons why you may find yourself stalling when it comes to writing an essay is because you have not researched enough. Adequate research, brainstorming, and organizing of ideas are necessary for flawless writing.Â
To determine what method of research is necessary for your essay, first, you need to understand the type of data you need. This goes back to your thesis statement and what type of data is available on the same.
Primary data requires you to invest time in collecting and interpreting new data. For secondary data, you can refer to previous works in that field. Secondary data is more readily available and will involve spending a lot of time reading or reviewing other people’s work.Â
Once you know the type of data you want and what it takes to research that type of data. You need to get down to it and come up with a way of recording the data you have found. It is this data that you will then use to brainstorm on what goes into the essay and what does not.
You can do the brainstorming process alone, but for better results, it’s advisable to brainstorm with another person. In-depth brainstorming allows you to understand your thesis statement better. It also helps you to understand your research more and how you use it to best explain your point of view in the essay. Lastly, it also gives you the confidence to start writing because of the understanding you have of the topic at hand. Having an expert to guide you through the research process will make your work easier, we recommend getting an essay writing company to help you research and even guide you through writing the essay.
3. Outlining Your Essay
With a proper understanding of the format you will use for your essay, it helps you to start on it faster. Take the time to understand what is the standard format for the type of essay that you are writing.
Regardless of the type of essay you are writing, it will have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Plan your time on how you will tackle each one of these sections and get started on the one that presents the least challenge. Many people get stuck on trying to write an introduction. You don’t need to start with this part of the essay. You can choose to start with the body, write a conclusion and then get back to the introduction. Following this way of writing allows you to even write a better introduction because you will have understood your topic better as you write it.
4. Getting The Right Writing Prompts
It is advisable also to have writing prompts that get you to start writing your essay. Each writer will need a different writing prompt and you need to find one that works well for you. Setting aside a specific time to write your essay is highly recommended. Doing this allows your mind to settle on the idea of writing at a specific time. It also helps you to avoid any unnecessary distractions beforehand. You can also choose other writing techniques such as writing in sessions and taking breaks in between.
An example of how to start an essay
How to start a thesis
Below are simple steps you need to follow to start a thesis:
1. Choose a topic that you are familiar with and should be specific.
2. Know your audience and try to persuade them.
3. Your topic should be arguable
4. Your thesis should be able to give out the main idea of your essay.
How to start an article
Simple steps to follow to start an article
1. Choose a topic that you find interesting.
2. Know your audience.
3. Do thorough research while keeping track of your sources.
4. Draw a draft of your new findings.
5. Ensure your article is specific and not general.
6. Do a revision of your article after you’re done.
How to start a narrative
Great tips on how to start a narrative
1. Go through the assignment to identify all requirements needed.
2. Choose a topic for your assignment by brainstorming potential ideas.
3. Do a plan of the setting and plot of your story.
4. Write your introduction by engaging your audience and introduce the main characters.
