Back To School Tips and Advice

ESSAYS

STORY TIME!!

So once upon a time last year I had to write a three page essay about how Buddhism and Judaism contrast and also how they're similar; it was the longest, most irritating thing I've ever had to do, so to say the least;

I. Freaking. Hate. Essays.

Although I think essays are mega irritating, I've also gotten increasingly better at them using the following guidelines!! (LAST YEAR I GOT A 100 ON MY FINALS ESSAY!!!)

Keeping it Concise. 

Getting an essay to stay straight forward is the most difficult thing to do. For me, I over explain everything in the essay, then have to edit it 10 billion times. To avoid doing this, write out a small guide like the one above!! (In the picture, sorry if it's blurry or unclear.)

Also try to avoid dragging things out. It's just as boring for you as it is for the readers!! It's also likely to pull points off because it's considered "boring," or "unrelated."

Arguments

The use of arguments is what makes an essay, an essay. You've gotta make sure that your point is very clear; state it; "I believe essays should be banned in schools because they're harmful to students, cause mass hysteria, and are a royal pain in the a*se." Not "Essays in school shouldn't be allowed because I don't like 'em, and they suck." Make sure the reader knows that you hate essays with a passion!!!  But of course make it work with your topic and not mine.

Things to avoid

Essays are a finicky subject. Most of the time you have to avoid using pronouns, like "me," "I," and "my." Also make sure to avoid addressing the reader as "you." That makes it feel like you're specifically targeting the person reading your essay.

USE YOUR BEST ENGLISH!!!

Don't say "Scout's a bad example of a main character 'cos she got a dudes name." (Idk)

"Jean-Louise is a poor example of a main character because she lacks the proper name, given to her by her parents, and instead is referred to as Scout." It's rather simple once you practice it!

Concluding statement 

Ending your essay with something memorable is what makes your teachers remember it. So, make sure it's worded very well, and that you pull in the three supporting facts/evidence and tie them together with your opinion.

So something like this:

"So, overall, essays in schools should be stopped because they cause detrimental affects to the students brains, causing temporary insanity, an intense stretch of anxiety and an uncomfortable deadline slowly creeping around the corner. All of which are proven by the American Board of Social Sciences to be bad for a developing teen, and hence the call for essays to be recalled."

It's easy as that!

Here are some quick fun facts:

- The word "essay" came from "essayer" which means "to attempt" and "to try" in French. So there's no 'right' way to write an essay.

- There are tons of different essay types: argumentative, informative and analytical are some of the most popular.

- It took me 3 1/2 years to master essay writing.

- It's much easier than you think.

- The picture above was made (by yours truly) for you to screenshot/save and to use at anytime.

- As I write this, I'm icing my calfs because they're swollen from a freaking sun burn. (7 hours outside, and they're cherry red.)

- If you ever need help with an essay, message me and I'll help you get started and organize your thoughts!!

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So, I'm exhausted from this week. Yet I've posted two chapters in one night! Yay me!

Anyways, what was the worst or best experience you've had writing an essay?

I forgot how to spell Buddhism and my laptop didn't correct the spelling so it was literally 'budhism' through the whole essay. I almost died laughing when my teacher circled every misspelled word!!

Shout out in the next chapter to the best essay story!!

Xx -M