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!
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!
~ Chapter 1: Dreams
Love. Unconditional and pure love was there, found in their hearts. Feelings, pure and strong lived from day to day.
But the days were cold. Cold wind froze their dreams.
A child was born.
Dreams, spreading its roots, now slowly fade.
But still live and last in the hearts of the dreamers.
A child wasn't a part of a dream, though.
It wasn't. But love was still there, although destroyed by many issues, it started fading slowly like a smothered flame.
Mother's eyes was full of hope and heart full of love, so pure, so gentle.
She knew. Life won't be milk and honey, though she must be strong.
Looking at her baby girl, happy and sad in the same time, so many thoughts were flying through her head.
So many questions, perhaps a small dose of regret.
She felt sadness inside.
Love was still there, that pure love that kept them alive, though these dreams they both had were somehow far and unreal.
A flame of love was still burning...
Love. Unconditional and pure love was there, found in their hearts. Feelings, pure and strong lived from day to day.
But the days were cold. Cold wind froze their dreams.
A child was born.
Dreams, spreading its roots, now slowly fade.
But still live and last in the hearts of the dreamers.
A child wasn't a part of a dream, though.
It wasn't. But love was still there, although destroyed by many issues, it started fading slowly like a smothered flame.
Mother's eyes was full of hope and heart full of love, so pure, so gentle.
She knew. Life won't be milk and honey, though she must be strong.
Looking at her baby girl, happy and sad in the same time, so many thoughts were flying through her head.
So many questions, perhaps a small dose of regret.
She felt sadness inside.
Love was still there, that pure love that kept them alive, though these dreams they both had were somehow far and unreal.
A flame of love was still burning...
Texas Rancho Viejo 1942
Bonnie's POV
I walked quickly down the dusty dirt road, I kicked and scrapped pebbels, It was hot and dry today, another great thing when your isolated! *CRASH* I gasped, I slowed to a stop and carfully and slowwly turned around. Behind me stood a man. He had wild brown hair and blue piercing eyes, He held a gun and a charcol covered teddy bear. He smiled and inchined twords me. "Whoa pardner, who are you?" I asked in my thick texian accent. "I am a friend" He said kindly. I suspiciously eyed him up and down. I reached into my back pocket and gripped my fingers around a gun I found. "Dont be afraid i'll make it all better" He moved closer to me, I panicked.Is this the phantom murder? I thought. I pulled out my gun and aimed it at him. "I dont think you will"
I said sweetly, then I triggered it and shot him, he fell to the ground stunned. I smiled. When your isolated in texas you cant trust anyone. and i mean ANYONE.
Bonnie's POV
I walked quickly down the dusty dirt road, I kicked and scrapped pebbels, It was hot and dry today, another great thing when your isolated! *CRASH* I gasped, I slowed to a stop and carfully and slowwly turned around. Behind me stood a man. He had wild brown hair and blue piercing eyes, He held a gun and a charcol covered teddy bear. He smiled and inchined twords me. "Whoa pardner, who are you?" I asked in my thick texian accent. "I am a friend" He said kindly. I suspiciously eyed him up and down. I reached into my back pocket and gripped my fingers around a gun I found. "Dont be afraid i'll make it all better" He moved closer to me, I panicked.Is this the phantom murder? I thought. I pulled out my gun and aimed it at him. "I dont think you will"
I said sweetly, then I triggered it and shot him, he fell to the ground stunned. I smiled. When your isolated in texas you cant trust anyone. and i mean ANYONE.
Always running
All the time,
Chasing a dream
As I follow the signs.
Out of breath
I miss a turn,
I wander the paths
Ready to learn.
I start to get impatient
I'm working so hard,
So how come I'm not there yet
I've played all my cards.
Life is like a rollercoaster
Mine never stops,
It takes me round in circles
Back to the start.
There are so many highs and lows
Yet they''re all the same,
I need a change of track
Something different to my name.
Each step I take aches my body
And I'm waiting for the day,
That a different train will come along
And take me a different way.
All the time,
Chasing a dream
As I follow the signs.
Out of breath
I miss a turn,
I wander the paths
Ready to learn.
I start to get impatient
I'm working so hard,
So how come I'm not there yet
I've played all my cards.
Life is like a rollercoaster
Mine never stops,
It takes me round in circles
Back to the start.
There are so many highs and lows
Yet they''re all the same,
I need a change of track
Something different to my name.
Each step I take aches my body
And I'm waiting for the day,
That a different train will come along
And take me a different way.
Dusty Streets
A blazing sun,
Food and Water
There is none.
Living on hope
Crying out,
Helping others
Around and about.
Children Shouting
They wail and cry,
Willing for a change
A signal, a sign.
They're grateful for everytihng
Whatever comes their way,
They're constantly working
All night, all day.
The air is filthy
They cough and they weep,
They want to survive
They sniffle and sleep.
Begging off strangers
It's all they can do,
Someone to help them
It could be you.
-Emily Eaton (13)
A blazing sun,
Food and Water
There is none.
Living on hope
Crying out,
Helping others
Around and about.
Children Shouting
They wail and cry,
Willing for a change
A signal, a sign.
They're grateful for everytihng
Whatever comes their way,
They're constantly working
All night, all day.
The air is filthy
They cough and they weep,
They want to survive
They sniffle and sleep.
Begging off strangers
It's all they can do,
Someone to help them
It could be you.
-Emily Eaton (13)