Choosing an Essay Topic
An essay topic is what your paper is about generally. A thesis statement is a single sentence that states what you want to say about your topic. For instance, if an essay paper topic is "Cats," then the thesis statement might be "Cats are smarter than dogs." A thesis statement is easier to create after you have decided on a topic. The best place to look for topics is usually within your own life.
The most effective essays explain grand scale ideas with small-scale examples. For instance, you could write an example essay discussing the meaning of life using the scenario of watching a small child sleep or a narrative essay discussing the worth of self-sacrifice by telling about a mother who works three jobs to put her child through school. You don't have to write about lofty things to write interesting essays.
When you need to come up with an essay topic, brainstorming with family or friends and freewriting can be excellent tools. If you are having problems deciding on an essay topic, sit down with friends or family, explain what kind of essay you want to write, then brainstorm with them about things that have happened in your life that might work for a given essay type. Share any notes or thoughts you may have on your proposed essay and write down any ideas, memories, or details your team generates. Not every idea the group produces will be helpful, so you will have to go through your notes later and cross out anything that is not relevant.
Understanding how to approach specific kinds of essays will also make the essay writing process easier. Although there are at least a dozen different types of essays, the most commonly assigned essays in high school or college are the narrative essay, the example essay, the process essay, and the comparison essay.
The narrative essay provides a thesis statement and tells a story that proves to the readers that the thesis statement is true. Life experiences work well as topics for narrative essays. For instance, you could have a thesis statement about not underestimating a child and tell a story about some way in which your child surprised you.
In an example essay, a thesis statement is presented; then examples are provided to prove the thesis statement. A thesis statement for an example essay might discuss whether a spouse or significant other has supported you (or not supported you) during a difficult or busy time. In your essay's body, you would give specific examples of the quality of that support. You could talk about emotional support, financial support, help with housework or childcare, or any of a number of other ways in which couples help each other..
A process essay explains how to accomplish a specific action or goal. The thesis statement for this type of essay is often a sentence as simple as "If you follow these simple steps, your dinner party will be a success." Essay writers often choose to use a favorite recipe for their process, but recipes can be problematic. If you use a recipe, you will need to explain it in your own words as if you were telling a friend how to make the dish during a conversation instead of presenting the recipe as it might appear in a cookbook. If you don't want to describe a cooking process, think of some other process you complete on a daily basis like getting children or a spouse off to school or work, making coffee or tea, shaving, or housekeeping. Any process that requires several steps to complete will do, but always present your steps in a paragraph format instead of numbering them as if they were part of an instruction booklet.
A comparison essay compares two things, actions, or ideas. The thesis statement explains the point you want to prove with your comparisons. Your thesis statement will usually indicate which of the two choices you feel is better or will emphasize specific differences or similarities between two choices.
Before you start writing your comparison essay, decide whether you are going to use the point-to-point, subject-to-subject, or mixed comparison pattern. The point-to-point pattern compares a specific characteristic of each choice, then moves to the next characteristic. For instance, you might compare the color of your two choices; then the sizes of your two choices, and so forth, providing a concluding summary that explains or summarizes the point you are making with your comparisons.
The subject-to-subject pattern describes every characteristic that you wish to compare about one choice, then discusses every characteristic that you wish to compare about the other choice. After each choice has been thoroughly analyzed, a concluding summary presents the point you want to make with your comparisons.
Once you have decided on a comparison pattern, write down three ways in which your two choices are different from or similar to each other. Add details to the differences and similarities. Following the comparison pattern you have chosen, use your notes and details about your comparison points to help you write your essay.
If you have problems coming up with that first sentence, try freewriting. Just start penning your thoughts, using complete sentences. Don't worry about organizing, polishing, or creating transition sentences until you have written out all your ideas. After you have your ideas down on paper, go back and look at what you have written, move your sentences around until you feel that they are presented in the most logical order, and decide if one of them would make a good opening sentence. Organize, add, and subtract supporting ideas from that starting place.
With a little practice, thinking of essay topics to write about can become easier, but there is nothing wrong with giving yourself a little help. Keep a small notebook and write down ideas as they occur to you. Use brainstorming and freewriting to jumpstart the writing process. Above all, don't stress yourself, trying to think of grand, earth-shattering topics. Use topics that deal with ordinary life to reveal extraordinary truths.