You could write the bones of an essay in under five minutes if you know what’s required. Here’s the skeleton to get you started.
An essay is made of three things, an introduction, body and conclusion. When compiling your essay, even if it’s a timed test, jot down five strong points and four not so important points that will expand on your idea. Under each point write down one or two references or case studies, the less words you write now, the better. This is meant to sort out your head.
Once you’ve vomited your train of thought onto the page, write down numbers next to each point so you can build your essay into an argument strong wall.
One example would look like what I jotted down for my critique of T.S Eliot’s the Hollow Men:
Start on your introduction by addressing the essay question in your first sentence. The whole point of an intro is to say, I’m going to change your mind by presenting these points of argument. It shouldn’t be longer than four sentences and should always be straight to the point.
Every idea you present in the body should be included in the introduction.
T.S Eliot drew on his lifelong research on Dante and his new found anglo-Catholic beliefs to compile his poem; the Hollow Men, a more cynical take on the Lord’s Prayer. Guy Fawkes, a figure in history that tried unsuccessfully to overthrow his house of parliament, is referenced throughout the poem as well as Joseph Conrad’s tale of isolation, Heart of Darkness. T.S Eliot uses these sources to build a compelling story of angst and dispair.
The body paragraphs should be an outline: the first sentence is what you believe, the second, third, fourth and fifth sentence should be sources, quotes and references. The sixth sentence should bring your first idea and combine it with the sources to bring about an argument that leaves no room for doubt.
Prior to writing the Hollow Men, T.S. Eliot wrote extensively about Dante, particularly the great masterpiece, the Divine Comedy, this would have influenced his own writing. The Cambridge Companion to T. S. Eliot (Moody, 1994, p. 19) informs that “Eliot’s time at Harvard furnished a sum of intellectual capital – Dante – that he drew on for the rest of his life. He also relied on its resources as he wrote his first mature poetry”. Unlike the Divine Comedy, T.S. Eliot’s characters never reach the comforting arms of Beatrice, which he portrays as a shallow sham that offers no real peace.
“Those who crossed
With direct eyes, to death’s other Kingdom
Remember us – if at all – not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men.” (13 to 18, Section I)
Eliot’s lack of romantic views when describing those that have gone to heaven illustrates how he has taken Dante’s idea and turned it on it’s head.
Your conclusion shouldn’t be longer than five sentences. Never, ever introduce a new idea in your conclusion. It’s better to create a whole new paragraph into your body than to introduce a new train of thought. Summarise what you’ve already said and leave the essay with your strongest point.
In conclusion, [insert points]. Eliot drew on several rich with mythology sources that he twisted into a morbid and empty story that showed his view of the Christian after-life.
Pointers:
- Never say “I” or “in my opinion” in an essay, this is supposed to be an objective argument. This is a golden rule and if you break it, the English gods will smote you.
- Never say “you”, this is not a conversation, people.
- The more formal the language, the better.
- Even though you’re showing your side of the case, it helps to include other train of thoughts, to build your credibility more than anything else. Only do this if you have the extra time and word count and prove why you’re dismissing the other side by saying your point/sources are stronger.
- Always take the time to reference correctly, this gets you easy extra points.
- Don’t use shifty sources that contradict themselves.
- That being said, don’t contradict yourself either, stick to a game plan.
If I’ve missed a crucial element, let me know and I’ll add it.
