Writing Academic Essays

Academic essays are a type of formal writing often used to summarize, analyze and argue scholarly or academic materials. These essays can take on a variety of different forms, many with unique components. However, many essays will contain the following:

• Introduction: Your introduction introduces your reader to the topic. It can contain background information that may be helpful for the reader and should include a hook to capture interest.
• Thesis: A thesis statement is a sentence (or two) that states the position you are going to argue or write about it your essay. It also states why the reader should find this topic or position important. A thesis is focused, using strong language to clearly define the scope of your essay. Finally, a thesis might list or hint at the subtopics that your essay could include. The thesis is typically found at the end of the first paragraph.
• Supporting Body Paragraphs: The supporting body paragraphs should provide evidence and analysis that supports your original thesis statement. Each paragraph should start with a strong topic sentence that introduces the reader to the paragraph that follows. The last sentence should transition to the next paragraph, allowing for readers to follow the logic and structure of your paper.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is a way to summarize and contextualize your thoughts to your reader. Don’t simply restate your thesis. Instead, the conclusion should be the last decisive pitch to a reader. It might apply your thesis to a broader topic or leave your reader with actions they can specifically do or think about.

It is important to understand the difference between a thesis and a topic sentence. A thesis, found in the introduction paragraph, presents the main claim of your paper, making a complex and unique argument. A topic sentence, found in each body paragraph, informs the reader what the paragraph’s main idea will be while relating back to the argument of the thesis.

There are many ways to organize ideas in your essay that can help track the progression of your assignment. Purdue OWL presents specific stages of the writing process to help develop your work including:

1. Brainstorming: Before starting your assignment, try to think of different ideas on what to write and how to write it. Try to brainstorm as many ideas as possible, whether good or bad. Refer to other tabs in this learning guide to find topic ideas and examples for the type of essay you have been assigned.
2. Outlining: Creating an outline based on your ideas is the best way to form the structure of your paper. Referring back to the previously mentioned components, your outline will focus on the major sections of an academic essay: introduction and thesis, supporting body paragraphs, and conclusion.
3. Drafting: Your first draft will be a work in progress. This part of the writing process focuses on turning your outline into paragraphs. For this step, focus on content instead of grammatical and spelling errors.
4. 2nd Draft (Revise & Edit): Revise your essay by focusing on the main components of writing: topic, supporting ideas, and audience. Then, edit your essay by concentrating on grammatical errors, sentence structure, and spelling. Check out the Grammar Learning Guide for tips and tricks on specific elements to look for.

1. Audience: Who is the paper for? Is the language appropriate for the reader? Is the language descriptive enough to explain the subject to the layman, while avoiding bogging down the reader in unnecessary technical jargon?
2. Organization: How an essay is structured impacts its readability. Organization can convey levels of importance and can help readers follow the logic of an essay.
3. Style: Using different words or tones can change how your audience perceives your topic. It is important to match the right style to the right audience.
4. Assignment requirements: Carefully read the assignment. Make sure that your essay meets all aspects listed in the directions. A perfectly written paper that does not meet the assignment requirements will still receive a poor grade.
5. Deadlines: The amount of time given for an assignment can drastically change the scope and expectations of an essay. A summary of a chapter, due in a few days, may only require a paragraph or two, while a well-researched argumentative essay may take months. Make sure to check assignment due dates to accurately schedule time.
6. Revision: Writing is a process. Your first draft might look wildly different than your notes or outline. Give yourself time to revise. Most introductions will need to be reworked after your essay has taken its final shape. Even setting an essay aside for a day or two will bring a fresh perspective to your writing. Try reading your essay out loud; note where your speech stumbles and take another pass at those places.