An essay is one of the freest creative critical and literary genres. At first glance, it can be written however you like and about anything you like.
But there are a number of college essays writers requirements for an essay. Features of writing an essay
How to Start Writing an Essay?
One of the defining features is the presence of one topic, the main direction that pierces the entire text and all reflections.
The author can go deep into history and science, looking for connections and parallels, but in the center will be one explicit theme, a thought.
On it, as a leading axis, everything is strung together. Also, the essay is characterized by the author’s vivid stamp, that is, the personality of the writer is in every word, every emotion, and every judgment.
The image of the author can have any emotional coloring – encouraging, condemning, despising, but this coloring should touch the reader, and awaken reciprocal emotions.
The essay calls for a dialogue, a response, otherwise it fails. The problem of the work has no limitations – philosophical, artistic, social, moral and ethical, and so on and so forth, up to the outwardly banal and common knowledge.
The most important thing – is to give a new fresh perspective, and personal assessment and to encourage reflection.
At the same time, there are a number of pitfalls. For example, there is no traditional plot in this genre, and all examples and references to one’s own experience must remain merely illustrative.
Also, the author’s opinion may have an extreme degree of subjectivity, without any limitation by authority or tradition.
What are the Requirements for Writing an Essay?
There are a few requirements in an essay, but they are the defining ones: The title of the paper can be completely outwardly unrelated to the content.
It participates in an intellectual game of words and images. It can be connected emotionally, and become a starting point of reasoning or even a conclusion that the author will come to.
The stated problem or point of view must be considered complete, that is, the author must convince the reader why he or she thinks so and how he or she arrived at it.
The purpose of the essay is precise to clarify one’s position in order to convince of its rightness or at least the right to exist.
Externally, the composition and structure may be completely free and not fit into any framework or scheme, but it should be constructed as proof of one’s own position.
The sentences may twist into an exotic lace and be filled with syllogisms and oppositions, but in the end, the reader must be interested and immersed in thinking about the stated problem.
The writing style should be recognizable and belong to the author, like a fingerprint or signature. The language can be colloquial, without a load of terms, complex constructions, and an abundance of quotations, but still, it is not allowed to use swear words, rude, and profanity.
Length requirements The length requirements are determined differently by each institution, but the average range is from 2 to 10 pages.
In this case, the total volume is not of any decisive importance, if the thought was manifested and disclosed on one page, then it may be enough.
Tips and Recommendations for Writing Essays
The first step is to choose a topic, and it can be a choice from a suggested list or floating on your own. The choice depends on the desire and goals of the teacher and the situation.
The topic should not be topical or popular, but necessarily close to the author and of interest. It is desirable that the author was familiar with at least the general concepts, events, and personalities of the chosen topic or issue.
In case this knowledge is not enough, and the problem is interesting, it is necessary to limit oneself to personal and strictly subjective estimations and reflections.
The main purpose – is to cause a dialogue, to stimulate thinking, to interest the reader, so here all means are good.
Allowed to use bright images, aphorisms, syllogisms, parallels, symbols, and metaphors. It is also possible to refer the reader to parables, fairy tales, and colorful personalities.
High interest is fueled by unexpected twists and conclusions, clutches, and transitions.
The first sentences, the so-called introduction, should hook the reader, and set him up for a dialogue. It is with them that the conversation begins.
The main part can be a whirl around the topic, a search for a new reading, or jumps from assertion to proof. It can be filled with depth or perspective.
The main thing is to choose a direction and keep going in it.
The conclusion must be – it can be a grand conclusion that pierces frozen theories, a flash of personal worldview, or a spark carved from the cornerstone of a theory.
The author must be sure that all facts, dates, and personalities used are correct and historically accurate. It is not acceptable to twist history or science. And if the image has been touched, one should not pass it off as wishful thinking.
All references and quotations must be taken from a readable and familiar source, not taken out of context. If a book or movie was mentioned, the author must be familiar enough with it.
All the arguments used, however vivid and surprising they may be, should serve one purpose – to lead the reader to the conclusions or reflections the author needs.
So, writing an essay may seem like a simple and straightforward task, but it is in it that there is an opportunity to reveal the author as a person and a thinking person, without cutting back on his individuality and freedom of creativity one bit.
