According to the website "International Student", the standard college or university essay is constructed as follows:
1. Introduction
2. Paragraph 1
3. Paragraph 2
4. Paragraph 3
5. Conclusion
Writer's Digest reminds us that, just as a rider wants to know where the bus is taking him, the reader wants to know where the writer is taking him (
https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how%20to%20write%20an%20effective%20essay). Announce your intentions in your introduction. The website also mentions that the writer should never settle for the surface layer, but should lift the surface layer to find the deeper meaning.
Present a strong thesis statement and back it up with your three points. Cite relevant and accurate sources. Follow proper procedure for footnotes (
http://www.wikihow.com/Do-Footnotes). Don't just use books, but look for newspaper and magazine articles as well. Anything that you find on the Internet can be full of errors. Be weary. Don't forget to include a bibliography (
https://www.teachervision.com/research-papers/teaching-methods/1767.html).
Engage your reader right off the bat. Start with an quote or anecdote. Start with the familiar, something that your reader can relate to, and work your way up to the unfamiliar.
Start each paragraph with a sentence linking to the rest of the essay. This gives your essay an easy flow and progression.
Use a variety of words so as not to bore the reader. Vary your sentence length and complexity.
Adopt an educational, rather than a conversational, tone.
Drive your point home with a strong conclusion.
For more information, read
Essay Writing: The Secrets Revealed by Cindy M. at https://www.facebook.com/essaysecrets.
