Essay Writing Tools for Dummies
No matter what grade you're in or what subject you're learning, essays can be the curve ball that throws off your entire academic game. Luckily, there are several tools that even the most inept student can employ to help them through tough essay assignments. These tools were created by academic experts searching for ways to make the essay composition process easier. By using one of these many tools, you can make your essay easier to create and simpler to understand with relative ease. Some of the most important tools for essay writing include:
- The Outline. An outline is a simplified, categorized version of your essay. Start by writing your introduction at the top (if you want, you can even just write introduction and figure the actual introduction writing out later). Next, you put a bullet point, number or letter to represent your first body paragraph. Write in the general idea, argument or point that you'll address in the paragraph (several words, max. beneath that, you can list supporting evidence and finer points of the paragraph. Repeat this process for every point or argument.
- Essay Map. An essay map is highly similar to an outline, but involves more visual elements. Starting with a box or circle at the top, input your introduction. From there, you should branch out several more boxes - these will be your separate arguments or supporting points. Continue to branch out from these individual boxes using further detail. At the end, all these segments should branch back towards one section - the conclusion. Input what you need to include in your essay into an essay map, and you'll find the essay much easier to tackle.
- Online search engines, databases and software. Today, the internet supplies students with a massive amount of knowledge and expertise. Students can utilize this amazing resource when they approach essay writing. Through online sources, students can discover scholarly supportive research. They can also gain exposure to multiple important essay writing points and topics. Online, you can even find essay mapping tools and downloadable software built to help you craft better essays.
- Brainstorming.This is an essential tool for any writing student. Knowing how to brainstorm and implementing brainstorming techniques is the fundamental stepping-stone to essay success. If students are unfamiliar with brainstorming techniques, they can find explanations and different brainstorming strategies through online sites and searches. With brainstorming, students can both invent startlingly brilliant essay ideas, problem-solve ways to approach essay problems and find unique ways to write essay topics.