9 Easy Steps for Starting an Essay
You’ve been assigned an essay for one of your classes, and you’re not sure where to begin. Or, you’re hoping to make things smoother than your last assignment so you’re trying to get a head start. You may be asking yourself: “What’s the best way to write an introduction paragraph?” “How can I organize this essay?” or, “How do I know when it’s time to start writing?”
We’re here to help you through it all. But first, here are some tips that just might make starting an essay easier:
Our Tips for Starting an Essay
1. Check in early
An UPchieve coach can help you with questions as soon as the essay has been assigned. Here are some things we might ask to get you started: Do you understand the assignment? Have you done the reading? What’s your first step?
This doesn’t have to be a long session, but getting a quick start will get you going in the right direction.
2. Read and re-read
If you’ve already done the necessary reading, take another look at it with the essay prompt in mind and use it as a study guide. Look for details or arguments you can include in your essay, and if you haven’t started reading yet, get right to that 😉.
3. Build an outline
The outline will work to highlight the main points that you want to include and touch on in your essay. This can look like chapter titles or even short descriptions. In some cases, your teacher will explain the main points that they want to see in the essay, and that can become your outline!
4. Starting point
It’s OK if you’re stumped about writing the introduction paragraph of your essay. Maybe your thesis statement is clear to you – so start with writing that! Build the essay section by section. The important thing to remember is that you’re making progress, and that makes everything easier!
Your teacher might have something specific they’re looking for in the introduction, but if not, here’s a tip: 💡Try to tell the reader who or what the paper is about, or where and when something took place. And, remember, everything in the intro leads you to the thesis statement.
5. UPchieve check-in!
You might have a question or two for an UPchieve tutor at this stage in your essay, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Make sure we know when the assignment is due, and maybe we can suggest what your next step should be.
6. Writing and writing and …
So now you’ve done the reading, outlined the essay and started to write. Even professional writers know you’ve reached the really hard part, but you can do this! Try writing the sections as best you can.
7. Wrapping it up
Your conclusion (unless your teacher suggests something different) should wrap up your argument or what you’ve learned from the essay. Try reading your concluding paragraph out loud, then write it down. What’s the main point of your essay? Your answer will be your conclusion.
8. Listen to your essay
Before you reach out an UPchieve tutor to read your completed essay, read your essay aloud from start to finish. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s another trick used by professional writers. And, it works!
9. Time to share
Now it’s ready for an UPchieve tutor to read. Make sure you say how many times you’ve already reached out on this assignment. They will be impressed!
Final Tips for Starting an Essay
That's it for our list! We hope this does help you go from start to finish when it comes to getting your essay ideas down on paper Remember, the most important part of the process is to have fun and persevere with whatever it is that you're working on.
If you need more tips and tricks for essay writing, chat with an UPchieve tutor or read our blog. And if you have any helpful techniques of your own that have helped improve your essay writing experience, we'd love to hear about them!