Useful Information Guidelines on Essay Writing
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Writing an essay in an art. Efficiency in it is acquired by practice. You cannot write a good essay by reading a few paragraphs on "how to write a good essay". But such reading will definitely give some useful information on essay writing.
The best way to learn a language is to hear it from those who speak it well. The best way to achieve proficiency in writing the essay is to read essays written by those who have written it well.
One of the earliest to set a style in essay-writing was a French man named Montaigne. Before writing essays he asked himself what he should write about. On cool reflection he came to know that he must know the topic very well before he ventures to write on it.
He chose to write only about himself because he knew himself very well. Though he wrote about only himself we read his essays with pleasure because what he wrote about himself applies to ourselves as well.
He did not keep any fixed norms. He started writing his essays from something about himself and then went on analysing his own nature for some length till he stopped writing suddenly.
As a result, his essays are loose in structure, lacking a compactness which we sometimes look for in an essay. Yet his essays are very entertaining and help as in understanding human nature.
We learn from him a very important thing about essay writing. We must know the topic well before writing an essay on it.
Another great name in essay writing which comes to our mind is Bacon's. Though he wrote his essays about four hundred years ago, their newness surprises us He has written on a variety of topics.
His essay on Truth is still regarded as one of the best essays written in the world. He could write with confidence on common place topics like gardening and also on mature topics like death, love, truth etc.
His sentences are generally short. But they are compact, Writing on parent-children relationship he writes how children mitigate the sorrows of death.
Like the couplets written by the great Sanskrit scholar and politician Chanakya, Bacon's generalizations on human nature are witty and full of worldly wisdom. From a study of his essays we learn many things on essay-writing.
The first thing to bear in mind about it is that the essay should be informative, It must reveal something. Secondly the essay need not be long. It can be impressive and useful even in a shorter frame.
The sentences can hide layers of meaning behind them even when they are short. In other words, we learn from Bacon the economy in the use of words.
Each word used in a sentence, and each sentence in a paragraph serves a useful purpose.
The reader has to read between the lines to make out sense if every word in the essay is purposefully used.
To be acquainted with different styles of essay writing, we can go through the essays of Addison, Goldsmith, Charles Lamb, Hazlitt and Stevenson.
Among the writers of the twentieth century, we should read some essays of Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, E. M. Forster, A. G. Gardiner, Robert Lynd, Jawaharlal Nehru. S. Radhakrishnan and a few others to acquaint ourselves with new trends in essay-writing.
Practical Guide-lines:
Writing an essay for assessment, for award of marks demands immediate attention to the directive. If you are asked to write an essay in about four hundred words do not write more beacuse you know more about it.
If you are under the impression that the more you write, the more the examiner will be pleased, you are totally wrong. It is also not desirable to write an essay which falls short of the prescribed number of words by fifty or hundred words or more.
Increasing the length is as much a disqualification as decreasing it. If you are asked to write in about four hundred Going words, you can use fifteen to twenty words more or less. beyond it will be risky.
If in the directive there are suggested outlines, you should build up your content along them. For example, if in an essay on Newspapers, the first suggested outline is "our daily need", you need not write anything else other than how the newspaper is needed by us everyday.
If you write a paragraph on, suppose, the history of newspapers, it may be very informative; but the examiner need not count it for marking because you were not asked to write it.
If there is no suggested outline, you are certainly free to develop your own outlines and arrange your content accordingly. But when outlines are supplied think and write only on what is suggested.
In the grading of an essay, besides other things, two things which are taken into account for awarding good marks are: content and style. Content Includes proper co-ordination in presented matter.
How can a student present properly co-ordinated matter in an essay in the examination hall if he starts writing immediately on the topic without giving any time to think on it? That is what most of our students do.
That is why they secure very low marks in essay. Hence give some time to think and plan out your essay before you start writing. After the planning Is made, one should start writing forthwith.
How much time you will give to plan out the essay and how much time to write it should be borne in- mind. If you give all the time to write and no time to think, the matter which you will present in your essay may remain un co-ordinated, It will fail to reflect a unity in your thought process, Specific guide lines are suggested below point-wise for your ready reference ;
1. First you have to choose which of the topics set in the examination suits you best. Think of the content value of each topic before taking your choice, Think out the subject matter covering the respective topic.
Also consider your ability to express your ideas under the respective topic. For example, if there are three topics namely, Failure in Examinarions, The Coconut Tree, National Integration, you will have to ask your- self these questions :
(a) On which of these topics my information is adequate?(b) Can I freely express what I know on that topic ?(c) If I cannot which is the next alternative topic on which I have just enough information and I can also freely express my ideas?
You may be knowing more about The Coconut Tree but not knowing the exact words relating to the growth and production of coconuts. So you may have to choose the second alternative i. e., National Integration or Failure in Examination which suits you better.
2. After having made your choice finally, give some time to the planning of your essay. Think what you are going to write under each suggested outline You can use a page of your answer book for rough work.
Note down the ideas that strike your mind under each of the suggested outlines. Refer to it while writing the essay. After completing the essay, the rough work should be scored through.
3. Use simple and purposeful sentences for expressing your ideas. The use of very long sentences has now become out-of-date. Besides, in very long sentences, you may lose control over the structure. Use only such words and phrases on the use of which you have perfect control.
4. Don't exceed the prescribed word limit. Ten to fifteen words more or less will not matter. But going beyond that is likely to be penalised.
5. Revise your eassy after completing it. This will help you to get rid of certain mistakes which you yourself will detect while going through it.
6. Divide your essay into separate paragraphs, Devote a paragraph to each suggested outline but don't write the suggested line to indicate a heading.
7. Leave a margin and above all write legibly. Why should any one care to read what you have written if it is not legible?
📘 Essay Writing Cheat Sheet
🔹 Before You Write
✅ Choose a topic you:
- Know well
- Can express ideas clearly on
✅ Read the question carefully.
✅ Use rough space to jot down ideas under outlines (if provided).
✅ Allocate time:
Planning: 10–15%
Writing: 70–80%
Revising: 10–15%
🔹 While Writing
✅ Follow the given outline (if any).
✅ Stick to the word limit (±15–20 words allowed).
✅ Use simple, clear, and purposeful sentences.
✅ Keep paragraphs focused—one idea per paragraph.
✅ Avoid jargon or words you don’t fully understand.
✅ Avoid irrelevant content—even if interesting.
🔹 After Writing
✅ Revise:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Flow of ideas
✅ Ensure legibility:
- Neat handwriting
- Proper spacing and margins
📌 Key Principles
| Feature | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Structure : | Introduction, Body (para-wise), Conclusion |
| Clarity : | Be direct; avoid rambling or long-winded sentences |
| Brevity : | Short, impactful sentences preferred |
| Coherence : | Ideas should logically follow each other |
| Style : | Your own voice, but inspired by good authors |
Final Tips
- Good essays combine content and style effectively.
- Start writing only after clear thinking and planning.
- Reading quality essays helps develop your own tone and technique.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions About Essay Writing
1. What is the best way to improve essay writing skills?
The most effective way to improve essay writing is through regular practice and reading well-written essays. Focus on structure, clarity, and grammar while developing your own voice.
2. How do I choose a topic for essay writing in exams?
Choose a topic you are familiar with and can confidently write about. Think about what you know best, and whether you can clearly express your ideas within the word limit.
3. Why is planning important before writing an essay?
Planning helps organize your thoughts and ensures that your essay has a logical structure. It prevents repetition and saves time during writing.
4. Who are some famous essayists worth studying?
Great essayists include Montaigne, Francis Bacon, Charles Lamb, George Orwell, and Jawaharlal Nehru. Their writing styles can teach clarity, depth, and expression.
5. What are the key rules for writing a good essay?
Stick to the topic, maintain proper structure (introduction, body, conclusion), use clear language, and stay within the word limit. Always revise your work.
6. Is exceeding the word limit in essay writing a good idea?
No. Writing significantly more or less than the prescribed word count can reduce your score. Try to stay within 10–15 words of the given limit.
7. How can I avoid common essay writing mistakes?
Avoid starting without a plan, using overly complex sentences, ignoring outlines, or neglecting revision. Clear, simple writing with a logical flow works best.
8. Can I skip the suggested outline in an exam essay?
No. If an outline is given, follow it closely. Writing off-topic, even if well-written, may not earn marks if it doesn’t follow the required structure.
9. What makes a good essay structure?
A good essay has a clear introduction, focused body paragraphs with one idea each, and a strong conclusion. Transitions between paragraphs should be smooth.
10. What are some practical tips for revising an essay?
Re-read your essay after completing it. Check for spelling, grammar, sentence clarity, and logical flow. Editing improves your final impression.