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First, I saw the need to simplify my sentences and express complete thoughts in each paragraph. Second, I saw that it was very important to organize my thoughts in a logical progression. Finally, I needed to know the "facts" about the essay topic.

Grammar, a word that I had grown to dislike, had to become my friend. Often when I thought of grammar or sentence structure I thought of verb conjugations, prepositions, adverbs, irregular verbs and the list went on. I said "These things will become my tools; they will not be my obstacles." I reviewed what I needed to review about a complete sentence (noun and verb, object and modifiers). I made sure that I had some basic tools that would help me with irregular verbs - I bought handbooks. The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is a great resource for writing. My sentences became simpler and I was able to express the message intended.

It is important to ensure that each paragraph (at least two or more sentences) expressed complete and separate thoughts. For example, the first paragraph can introduce a topic like "The emotions that we experience in life." The second can express "thought one" about the topic, for example, "ways that life can be fun." The third paragraph can express "thought two," for example, "ways life can be challenging," A fourth and final paragraph can discuss a "balance between the extremes of life." That would also be your conclusion.

Throughout the essay, it is important that there is a logical progression. An outline can help to ensure that you attain such a progression. The outline may be made in bullet form. You may decide ahead of time which points you would like to make in each paragraph. You may decide to start with a simple theme and progress to something more complex or the other way around. You may decide to go from a heavy subject matter to a lighter one. All of those choices will depend on what you wish to convey to your reader.

Most times when an individual is asked to write an essay they are given a goal. The question at the end of any essay by the writer needs to be, "Did I answer what was asked of me and did I support my answer?" It may be a comparison of two subjects. The essay may require the summary of an event or a piece of literature. Character analysis or comparison/contrast may be the subject matter. I realized that whatever the topic of the essay, I needed to do justice to it. The more I knew about the topic, the more confident I felt about writing an essay. I realized that on many tests, I had failed to organize my notes on particular topics and so my studying was sketchy and my essay writing (for a test) was lacking of supporting material. I organized my notes according to short answer questions versus main ideas and themes. When I studied I also considered possible comparisons that I could make about different subjects covered in a particular course.

Believe me, as I employed the focus mentioned above, my writing changed dramatically. My sentences were simple and not run-ons. Each paragraph expressed a separate and distinct thought. No matter the question that was posed, my essay thoroughly answered them. I now wrote with a method and a purpose.

Learn more about this author, Mario Depeine Sr.
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