Writing an Essay

Just about any state exam requires an essay. Writing an essay can be very difficult for some. There are simple steps to help with essay writing. However, the best way to write an essay that will pass the test, is to practice, practice, practice. By practice, I mean several things.

Anything that is worth having doesn't come easy. That applies to education as much as it does to anything else in life. To enroll in college courses, one must be able to write a decent essay. To write a decent essay, one must practice. To practice writing, one must read. Reading and writing are dependent upon one another. To be an effective writer, one must also write.

Reading is the best way to be prepared for any topic that might be given on an essay. You don't know which topic will be given on a test, so there is no way to "study" for it ahead of time. However, if you read a variety of materials, you will be prepared to write on just about any topic. Read the newspaper, read instruction manuals, read food labels, read clothing labels. Anything that has writing on it, READ IT!! This will help prepare you to respond to an unknown topic. You don't have to be an expert on any one topic, but you might need to be somewhat informed on current events, and you need to be able to comprehend the expectations of the topic assigned.

To become a better writer, one must practice writing. Writing is not a skill that develops out of thin air. It is a skill that takes practice. When you read things, practice taking notes about them. Think about what the author is trying to convey. Create alternative versions. Write about your opinion of the article, manual, food, clothing, whichever item you are reading. Write letters to your friends or family. You don't really have to mail the letters to them, unless you want input from them. Practice writing with pen and pencil. Many essays require pencil. Practice writing on a computer. Have someone look over your writing and give you ideas. There are proofreading services that offer discounts to students.

Now we are down to the actual process of writing an essay.