Writing Article: How to Organize a College Essay

posted by ZekiYuro

f I had to identify the most important step in writing an essay, I would probably say it was the organization. Coming up with a thesis is a big part of essay writing, but it doesn’t mean anything if you do not have the proper support for it. That is where organization comes into play. If you can put your thoughts in the right order, you can get people to feel a certain way as they read your work. It’s like taking them on a journey through your mind.

Here are some tips to help you effectively organize your essays in the future.

The Pyramid Method
This is my favorite way to write essays, and I feel it is the most effective. You start by barely introducing what you are going to talk about, and then you build a pyramid of support from there. In the conclusion, you make your big, powerful assertion that makes people go “Wait, what just happened? I just got bitch slapped by brilliance!” This method is great for persuasive essays, but I use it for everything. It just makes sense.

The Inverted Pyramid Method
This is the exact opposite of the method above, where you start with a big idea and then support it afterward. I don’t like this because it lacks progression. It doesn’t keep people hooked. It may work well for a web article or a news story, but not a college essay. Nevertheless, some professors love this method, so you just have to test it out and see what they think.

The Sandwich Method
In this method, you start with something big, provide support, and end with something equally big. Basically you have a thesis at the beginning that poses a question or a problem, and then you have a conclusion that answers it. I have used this method a few times, and it has worked well. I would recommend using it at least once or two.

General Tips for Essay Organization
In the case of a compare and contrast essay, don’t do one paragraph for one story and then another paragraph for the other story. Try to mix the two together and compare them point by point. Each point would be an article all its own.

Try to talk about events in chronological order so your readers can follow them. If you jump all through a book or resource, you may lose track of your focus and fluidity.

Don’t be afraid to use small paragraphs if you have different topics in each of them. It is better to do that than to have a long paragraph that no one wants to read through.

If you follow my tips above for your next essay in college, you should be able to wow the professor and get your point across at the same time. Good luck!

Don't Protect Me: Chapter One

posted by Insight357

“Yes, that’s right,” I nodded my head. Trying to convince myself I was strong enough to do this. “I’m leaving you! You’re hateful and abuse me! I deserve better than you!” Kind of…
    “You’re really going to leave me, Erik? But what about all the fun we had together?” He took another step toward me. I cringed, stop being so afraid, I sternly told myself.
    “Fun for you maybe. All I’ve gained from this relationship was these,” I stuck out my arm and pointed to my face. He only looked at me and shook his head.
    “I...

More Than This Ch. 26 (Epilogue)

posted by para-scence

**4 years later...**

"Are we there yet?" Hollis asked.

"Almost," Blake said.

"You're excited to see Aunt Dezzie, aren't you?" I asked, turning around in the passenger seat of our car. Hollis grinned eagerly from the backseat. Even though Desiree is six years older than her, they still get along well. Desiree enjoys watching over Hollis, and playing with her niece.

We were driving out to Dad's house for Christmas. The whole town was covered in a thick blanket of snow, and it was still falling. We soon came up to the driveway. Blake got Hollis out of her car seat, and she ran up the sidewalk to Grandma...

More Than This Ch. 25

posted by para-scence

Hollis was definitely a handful. But I loved her anyways. I never thought I'd have kids. At all. When I was younger, I'd always thought kids were annoying, gross, whiny, and a bunch of other non-enjoyable things. Sure, it was kind of annoying that I could barely get any sleep, but it wasn't Hollis' fault. She was just a baby. Even when I was sixteen and Desiree had been born, sure I thought she was cute. But I could've never seen myself having kids of my own.

Things have changed.

Hollis is now my whole world, along with Blake. Blake is everything and anything I could ask for in a husband. Hollis...

Wands and Spells: Chapter 5

posted by Skitty_Love

Celeste's POV

Huff... Huff... I think... I lost her for good.. I sat exhausted on the fuchsia colored love seat in the living room. Thoughts raced through my mind that seemed like 800-mph! "Celeste? Honey, why do you look so pooped out?" I looked up, it was Aunt Natalie, with her mellow look. "Ah, yeah I.. Never-mind, i-its nothing!" She tilted her head, I guess I just made it more suspicious.. She came and sat down next to me. "C'mon sweetie, you can tell auntie anything!" She petted my head gently. Aunt Natalie was always a lot nicer than my mother, shes never too hard on me, and she really...

Wands and Spells: Chapter 4

posted by StarWarsFan7

Angel's POV

BAM!! I quickly shut the enchanted door to the wizard lair. My breath is running away from me as I did before. "Woah! Whas'up with you?" Not now Tyler!!! "Nothing! Absolutamente nada!" Did I just speak Spanish those two last words? "It seems like something is up. C'mon. Tell Tyler everything you know." Why is he trying to comfort me? I hug onto my month-older brother. "Well, I ran into a Witch in the for-" Tyler quickly pushes me very hard away from him. "YOU WHAT?!?" Do I have to repeat it? "I. Met. A. Witch. In. The. Woods." I think I clarified that enough! "I can't believe this!!...

Wands and Spells: Chapter 2

posted by StarWarsFan7

Angel's POV

All of my life, it's been pretty much very normal. With school, home, and learning some new spells. As a wizard myself, we have to keep our gift, a secret. There's nothing worse than confronting a witch. Ohh...! Just thinking about those ogres gives me the chills! The magical setting in our family wizard lair is deep in a closet. To tell you the truth, it's rather large! If you open my closet door (which is the entrance to the wizard lair) it will just be a normal clothing closet. But if you cast a certain spell on it, the closet is now the wizard lair. My dad, Miguel is the full...

More Than This Ch. 19

posted by para-scence

I brought Hera and Desiree home the next morning. Hera begged me not to tell Dad and Kara what really happened last night. For a moment, I considered just telling them the truth. At least they'd make sure it never happened again. But then I stopped. It was just one time, right?

"Only if you promise to never do it again," I warned. She nodded quickly.

"I won't. I promise."

"Fine," I sighed. "Besides, I'm not the one you'll need to convince to keep her mouth shut." Both of us turned to Desiree. She smiled evilly.

"Please, Dezzie. Don't say anything. I'll get you a My Little Pony if you do, ok?"...

Bang Bang - He'll shoot me down [[Chapter 1]]

posted by HattersMadGirl

**scroll down for translation**

Regen wusch die Gräue von den Fenstern und ließ sie über den Asphalt ergießen.
Klamm schien die Luft, die unter der Last des Nebels unangenehm warm war, einem Nebel, der die Stadt in ein Gewirr von Spinnweben und Unkenntlichkeit hüllte.
All das, und ein fortwährendes leises Gemurmel füllten den Hintergrund des Geschehens.
Im Mittelpunkt saß ein Mann, gebeugt, mit dem Rücken zur Fensterseite gedreht, auf einem feuchten Holzstuhl und ergab sich seiner introspektiven Wahrnehmung.
Obwohl er seinen Blick nicht hob, schien es ihm, als beobachte er die Menschenmassen,...

1

More Than This Ch. 1

posted by para-scence

I ran down the pathway, my long blond ponytail whipping me in the face each time I checked to see how far I was ahead of Brandon. He was still far away, and Mommy and Daddy were even farther behind.

"Irina! Mommy and Daddy said not to go too far!" Brandon complained. I stopped in my tracks, and groaned.

"We're not too far! I can still see 'em," I said. Brandon pouted, not satisfied. I sighed. "Fine. We'll wait for them." Finally, after waiting forever, Daddy and Mommy finally caught up to us. I ran up to them, and Dad put his arm on my shoulder. Brandon held Mommy's hand. Mommy smiled at the...

Teachers Betrayal Ch.1

posted by alexmswann

It was three o’clock on a Friday and the bell had finally rung for school to be out for the weekend. I hurriedly shoved my books in my book bag and headed for the door ready to be out of school.
“Oh wait, Alisa could you come here for a quick second,” my English teacher, Mrs. Thompson asked. I turned around wishing I could be out this school. She was a very tall and light skinned lady, in her mid-thirties. She had long stringy black hair and big brown eyes. You would probably think she was a retired model. I quickly went to her desk trying not to seem I was rushing her.
“Um I just wanted...

1

Nothing More Ch. 11

posted by para-scence

The next morning, despite being deprived of sleep, I was wide awake. Carmine was in the kitchen, Nikolai getting ready for work in his room. I frowned when I saw Carmine in his work uniform.

"I thought..." I began. He shook his head, his mouth full of cereal.

"I gotta work today. We'll go another day though, ok?" he said.

"When are you off...?" I asked.

"Next weekend," he answered. I groaned.

"Seriously?!"

"Sorry! You know, you could get a job too, y'know!" he shouted. I clamped my mouth shut. Carmine never yells at me. Ever. "Y'know, you complain about Nikolai all the time! You're just as bad!"...

1

Nothing More Ch. 7

posted by para-scence

The next week was spent somewhat like that first day. We went to the park almost everyday. It wasn't that bad actually. It was kind of funny to see Jezebel and and Aspen run around like psychos. I was actually starting to warm up to Scout as well. It was cool to just talk to someone my age that was a girl too. I never had the chance to do that at school or home. I really like Aspen too. She's very mature for her age, when she wants to be. She has no problem goofing around like a little kid. She likes to talk about a bunch of things. I've become very close with her too.

Then soon came the Sunday...

Psychoanalysis: Chapter 34

posted by Insight357

We went back to Alexander’s apartment after getting Lucy. Xander and Lucy had been sitting on the couch. He was fussing at her for running off.
    “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me where you were going,” Xander’s lip curled up.
    “I didn’t think you cared! You aren’t my damned guardian!” Lucy spat back defensively.
    “Maybe not, but I care about you Lucy. I love you,” Xander looked down. My eyes were open wide, but I pretended like I wasn’t there.
    “I-I love you, too,” Xander...

1

Save Me Ch. 9

posted by para-scence

A faint beeping noise entered my room of darkness. I squeezed my eyes shut even more, afraid to open my eyes again and see nothing. There was the noise again. And again. It sounded in a steady pattern. The more I comfheard it, the more it reminded me of where I was. Before, when it was complete silence, it felt surreal, like it was all a bad dream. Now it was a constant reminder that there was nothing left for me. I cried, and a wet tear rolled down my cheek. A tear? But when I died, I'd felt nothing. I couldn't feel or taste the blood that had been running down my lips. I couldn't feel the...

Who Am I? Ch.1

posted by itchygum

I sat in my bed, watching the minutes tick by on my clock. 10:51 . . . 10:52. I rolled on my side, thinking about the next day, the first day of school. I was a strait A student and also a bit of a badass. Where did I fit in? My eyelids became heavy, harder to open every time I blinked, until they didn't open.
I felt a nudge, my mom waking me up. "Get dressed," she whispered in my ear. I dragged to my dresser, pulling out my pink Aeropostale shirt and a pair of skinny jeans.
My mom dropped me off and kissed my forehead, so embarrassing, but typical mom. "Hey Ana-rebel!" Called Brooke, pretty...

the real life of Nikki goldman

posted by smartone123

We have looked deep into Nikki Goldmans life to find some supriseing stuff as i tell you her TRUE story.Well lets go back in time to her childhood,and suprise you with something un known to everyone but her family.Her real name is lea Gliden,and her mom is dead leaving her with her father who abuses her.Ok we'll skip to her 11th birthday,the day where she runs away

"get here you bastard child"he growels,a feet away from where i hide,squahed in like a bug,a cold hard wood bottom,the shelve enough to hide me,and for him not to notice.It was all ok until my nose was itchy so i quickly scrached...

Psychoanalysis: Chapter 20

posted by Insight357

“Yes, I am,” I said calmly. I felt sick to my stomach even as I said it.
    “Why?” asked Grey as if it were not obvious.
    “I love him,” I said.
    “I thought you loved me,” she said, tears in her eyes. Although I saw tears, I also saw hate and fire.
    “You were mistaken,” I said, it was cruel, but true. I loved Alexander more than her.
    “Why don’t you love me?” she asked.
    “You raped me, and I married you only because the baby,” I said....

1

Psychoanalysis: Chapter 17

posted by Insight357

It felt like I had been submerged under water. I was suffocating.
    “How could you leave her?” I managed to get the question out of my mouth.
    “Genette didn’t tell me she was pregnant. I didn’t even know about Lucy until she was five. By then I figured it was too late,” Alexander said a look of pain was in his face.
    “It’s never too late, Alexander,” I said, angered by the fact he would just give that magnificent child up.
    “It was at the time. I didn’t know where she was, and the...

Unforgivable Ch. 11

posted by para-scence

"It's ok, Kodi. I'm sure he doesn't still feel that way," Sicily assured me. "That was months ago! He was probably just hurt that you left." I shrugged.

"Well, it's not like you have anywhere else to go," Shiloh added. I pouted. They were right. There was no way I could go back to living in a car. Chance would definitely get sick again, only probably with something even worse.

"I'll think about it," I told them. I wanted to have time to think about my options. Just then, there was a knock on the door. I furrowed my eyebrows. Sicily pursed her lips to hide a smile. Shiloh shrugged.

"She insisted...

Psychoanalysis: Chapter 13

posted by Insight357

I sat on a black, leather couch, starring at the deep blue walls. I was in Alexander’s office, for my appointment. I’d come here straight from the cathedral. My hair was tangled, and messy. I still wore plaid pajama bottoms, and an old, gray tee shirt.
    I came to a realization last night. Today, I would make my move. I have done enough to hold my own. Now I could be happy…Maybe.
    I debated whether, or not I should tell Alexander about Lucy. Dr. Anozi would’ve liked the idea, but I’m not sure about Dr. Laveney.
    I also...