Are you looking to write your own essay but don’t know where to begin? Wish you could find someone to give you a helping hand?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to teach you everything you need to know about creative writing and, more importantly, how to write a creative writing essay. So let’s get started.
Step 1: Set The Context
The first thing you need to do is set the context for your essay. What genre are you writing in? Film? Fiction? Poetry?
Each genre has its own set of rules and customs. For example, in the case of fiction, you need to make sure that your narrative is cohesive and well-paced. In poetry, you need to make sure that your images are well-balanced and that the meter is correct. In film, you need to focus on the story and characters rather than on the technical aspects. Setting the context for your essay will help you determine what kind of essay you will need to write. If you are having trouble deciding, ask yourself these questions:
How much research do I need to do?
Research is an essential part of any essay, but you need to know how much research is needed for your specific topic. Remember: your essay will only work if it is relevant and makes sense in the context that you have set. So, how much research is needed? That is the question. Different topics require different levels of research; some topics may even require none at all. Think about the issue at hand and try to narrow down the amount of research required. You may also want to look into the history of your topic. That will give you a better understanding of how the issue developed and how previous generations have dealt with similar situations. For example, a film essay about Darryl Sr. might include a history of the family business and an in-depth analysis of the industry. While a film essay about Harvey Wear may focus more on the impact that the shooting had on the city of Detroit.
Where do I start?
Just like any other type of essay, your creative writing essay should start with a thesis statement. Remember: your thesis statement is the position that you are going to argue in favor of – it must be stated in a formal manner.
Thesis statements should be specific and should be backed up by appropriate examples. It is usually a good idea to write down your thesis statement and then go through the article you have written. As you read it, you will notice certain themes that emerge. These are the themes that you are going to use as supporting examples to argue your thesis statement.
Once you have set the context for your essay and crafted a solid thesis statement, your task is to choose a sub-topic. Your sub-topic should be relevant to your thesis statement and should be something that you are passionate about. You want to write about a subject that you have specialized knowledge on. This will make your essay shine. If your essay becomes too general, it will lose its shine. So, choose your sub-topic carefully.
What should I include in my essay?
Your essay should contain relevant information that supports your argument. In other words, it should be a well-written summary of what you have read and discussed thus far. Your essay should be concise and should avoid unnecessary details. Just keep in mind that your essay’s strength will come from its relevance and the quality of your research. In film, an essay could very well be called a “Movie Review”:
- A review of the film
- A summary of the storyline
- Characters analysis
- Dialogue analysis
- A conclusion about the film’s significance
Each essay will be different, but this is the general idea. Your essay should be a well-written summary of the important concepts that you have learned in the process of researching your topic. Make sure to include citations and proper formatting.
How much space do I need?
In academia, an essay usually requires a minimum of four page s, in a normal double-column format. If you are submitting your essay for a school assignment, then you should adjust the spaces accordingly. Some schools may require you to use an eight-page paper with a four-page essay. So, how much space do I need? Four pages.
This space allows you to write a general introduction, summary of the article, and a conclusion. You also need to leave a 2.5- to three-inch margin on all sides of the paper for bibliography and reference citations. So, essentially, you need 3.5 to 4.5 inch margins when you are writing on A4 pages.
Step 2: Draft The Body
Once you have set the context and chosen your sub-topic, you can begin to draft the body of your essay. Remember: the body of your essay is where you are going to discuss your thesis statement and give supporting evidence. You can start by reviewing the historical background of your topic. This is very important; not only will it give you a better understanding of the issue at hand, but it will also establish your voice as an authoritative writer. Be sure to cite your sources clearly.
Next, you should start to draft your thesis statement. Remember: this is the opinion piece that you are writing. It is not a factual statement. So, make sure that your thesis is something that you are passionate about and that you can back up with facts and figures. Your essay’s thesis statement should be phrased in a formal manner.
The thesis statement should be followed by a list of supporting examples. These are the topics that you are going to use to prove your point. Just keep in mind: these are just examples. You can use whatever makes sense in your essay.
For instance, if you are writing about the importance of family in society, you could include a wide variety of topics:
- How modern family planning resulted in fewer infant deaths (Thanksgiving Baby Syndrome)
- The importance of family in different cultures
- The evolution of the family unit
- The impact of social media on family life
- How technology is changing families
- Family and friends as an investment in your future
The above list is just an example. You can use whatever makes sense in your essay.
Step 3: Proofread And Edit The Body
Once you have finished drafting the body of your essay, you can edit it thoroughly and proofread it. Proofreading is an important step; you want to make sure that the language you have used is of good quality and that each word and sentence is properly constructed. Before you send it off to your teacher, it is advisable to edit it once more to make sure that the flow and the context are all correct. Finally, you should look into using a proofreading service; these guys will take care of all the spelling and grammar errors for you.
You want your essay to have that polished, professional look that great essays have. If you are looking for a brick-and-mortar or an online proofreading service, there are plenty of options out there. Just be sure to compare prices and choose the one that fits your budget. If you are on a tight budget, the Cheap OTPs (one-time pennies) are a great option; they will scan your essay for free and give you a citation at the end. So, don’t forget about these guys if you want to get your essay done quickly and accurately.
Step 4: Create Your Bibliography
Your bibliography is a list of all the books, articles, and other texts that you have used to create your essay. Your bibliography should contain the following:
- An identification of the book or article that you have cited in your essay
- The title of the book or article
- The author’s name
- The year published
- The place of publication
- The ISBN number for internet access
Your bibliography should also contain the following information: