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"The point of the essay is to change things." -Edward Tufte

Tufte wasn't saying that your essay must be a political pamphlet. He was calling on all writers to write as if they had the power to change the world, or at least one small portion thereof.

The word "essay" has a lovely double meaning. A short piece of writing from the author's point of view is referred to as an essay. But so is any attempt or effort made. From this double meaning, I conclude that your essay will be an attempt to win our trust, to persuade us to believe something, to describe a person or an event important to you, to teach us something, or to describe something you believe will interest us. Success in your attempt will depend on the amount of planning and work you put into it.

An essay is an expressive form of prose, unlike a newspaper article or a business report. An essay is an invitation to get personal. You are not only permitted but encouraged to use personal pronouns such as I and we and you in an essay. The best essays read as if we were listening in on a writer's private conversation. We want to participate in that conversation. It interests us. Such essays flow like spontaneous narrations to live events, but are in fact very carefully planned and crafted works of premeditated art.

When writing your essay, no matter how short or long it might be, strive to make one overall point, one that emerges from your personal point of view. Obviously, you will need to use several supporting points, but they must all be clearly subordinate to your main point.

Essays don't require the use of sources or footnotes as do scholarly papers. But, if you do quote another author, mention that author's name just before or after the quote. Fair usage need not impede the flow of your essay. Just write something like, "as John Doe said in Love and War," and you'll be fine.

If you've never written an essay before, I suggest you read a few written by the best writers to get a feel for the form. The yearly publication, "Best American Essays," offers a wide variety of subjects written in an even wider variety of styles. For free essays written on topics that interest you, run an Internet search or check with your librarian.

How do you go about writing an essay? This may seem very intimidating to you after reading works by professionals with years of experience. But, don't feel intimidated. Everybody must begin at the beginning. And, don't make the mistake of trying to write your masterpiece all at once. Break

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