How to Write an A+ Essay (5 Easy Steps!)

Essay writing can be a daunting task on top of your extracurriculars and personal life. You will need to write 5, 10, or even 20+ page papers in high school and college. This article will prepare you to write a quality essay, while being as efficient as possible. 

1. Give yourself enough time. 

First, we must address time management. You cannot routinely score high marks on your essays if you start the night before. You might do well at first, but this habit will catch up to you sooner rather than later. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself at least one week per 1,000 words. Following this strategy, you would write 150 words each day for a week to complete a 1,000 word essay— far more manageable than cranking it out the night before it’s due. Planning ahead will also give you more time to proofread at the end. 

2. Ask better research questions. 

Let’s say that you wanted to research Japanese nationalism after World War II. The first is an example of a weak research question, whereas the second is stronger: 

What were the causes and effects of Japanese nationalism in the post-WWII era?

How did the Tokyo Trials affect the influence of Japanese nationalism post-WWII? 

There are two components that make the second research question stronger. First, it begins with how instead of what. Questions that begin with what can be readily answered through Wikipedia, or general secondary source material. On the other hand, how questions encourage you to analyze your research, and construct a thesis statement. An essay should go beyond providing information, and articulate a defensible argument. Furthermore, the second question specifically asks how the Tokyo Trials affected Japanese nationalism, instead of being overly general.

3. Create a “skeleton,” and then fill in the details. 

Once you have completed your research, you should create an essay “skeleton,” or outline. This can be tedious, but it will make the process of writing more efficient. If you write without an outline, you will experience writer’s block often. You should outline your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. I recommend using the PIE template for each body paragraph, or:

Point - An assertion that you are trying to prove
Illustration - Quotations, statistics, and evidence that support the point 
Explanation - Analysis of your illustration, and how it proves the point

After making a comprehensive outline, you’ve done most of the leg work for your essay. At this point, you should only need to make your outlined paragraphs more cohesive by adding in transition words and topic sentences. 

4. Make your thesis and body paragraphs relational. 

Some students will make their thesis statement a list, and have each of their body paragraphs explain isolated components. For example, a poor thesis might assert, “Insufficient punishment from the Tokyo Trials, the exoneration of Hirohito, and revisionist history in textbooks caused Japanese nationalism to persist after World War II.” This thesis is uncomplex, and just lists different aspects of your argument. Instead, you want to make sure that your thesis and body paragraphs are relational, so that your essay is cohesive and sophisticated. A better thesis might state, “The Tokyo Trials insufficiently punished Japan by exonerating Hirohito, which allowed for nationalism to persist in Japanese textbooks and public consciousness.” In this thesis, there are clearer relationships between concepts that can be further explored in your body paragraphs. 

5. Proofread Effectively.

After you have expressed all of your ideas into words, you should begin proofreading. Physically print out your essay, and carefully read it aloud. This technique encourages you to take your time, and makes errors seem readily apparent. Then, have a peer or teacher proofread, if possible. Once you are satisfied with your work, hit submit. Congratulations on a job well done!

Writing is an inherently difficult process that requires both time and discipline. Even seasoned college professors continually draft and revise before publishing new material. However, implementing these 5 steps will streamline the writing process, and save you hours of painstaking work. Give this a try on your next essay, and see how much easier it can be.

How to Deal With Imposter Syndrome, from a Phillips Academy Graduate

In the fall of 2015, I enrolled at Phillips Academy Andover, a boarding school just a few miles away from my home. I was enraptured by the school’s grandiosity; I would walk down the same pristine halls that George W. Bush, Olivia Wilde, and many others once did. Andover’s student population dwarfed my middle school’s (1,100 to 59), and its library alone contained more space than our entire school building. I grew up in a comparatively impoverished neighborhood, so it was life-changing for my family when I was accepted. 

By all accounts, I had made it. Yet, my freshman year was marked by average grades, unhealthy stress, and the overwhelming feeling that I did not deserve my place at the school. I skirted around conversations regarding my grades, for fear that I would be “exposed” in front of my friends. Years later, I put a name to my emotional turmoil— imposter syndrome, or feelings of inadequacy despite one’s successes. Students that experience this phenomenon often feel like their successes are based on luck, rather than their own hard work and competence. This phenomenon often takes place when someone starts at a new job, or school. If you routinely compare yourself to your classmates, question why you were accepted by the school, or feel less prepared than other students, you probably are experiencing it.

I will outline the strategies that helped me overcome imposter syndrome, because I know thousands of students across the globe grapple with the same issue. My first piece of advice is to talk through your experiences with a trusted friend or adult. It sounds cliché, but articulating your feelings allows you to readily identify the problem, which is the first step in finding a resolution. A 2007 UCLA study revealed that verbalizing your thoughts lessens the intensity of anger, grief, and pain. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to an adult or friend, journaling can be just as effective. I used my school’s counseling office, wherein a counselor told me imposter syndrome was the most common concern of students, especially during the college application process. This helped me realize that my thoughts were “normal,” and that I had the agency to determine how they would affect me. 

My second piece of advice is to recognize and disrupt thought patterns that exacerbate feelings of inadequacy. For example, I used to look back at my first-year grades with regret and fixate on my shortcomings. I would think, “If only I could have worked harder, then I would not be in this situation right now.” Instead of accepting the past and using it as a lesson, I wallowed in regret and self-pity. Imposter syndrome operates as a positive feedback loop; you have initial self-doubt, internalize these thoughts, which produces even more self-doubt. But, mindfulness, or the recognition of one’s thoughts, can shatter the cycle. I would consciously ask, “Do these thoughts help or hinder me?” If the latter, then I would shift my attention to a different subject or task. Eventually these pernicious thoughts would become increasingly infrequent. 

Finally, I recommend adopting a healthier mindset towards grades. To put it simply, many students perceive grades as an evaluation of their character. When my first report card displayed primarily B’s and C’s, I felt unintelligent and idle among ostensibly hyper-conscientious aficionados. The truth is, I was as capable and hard-working as everyone else. However, I needed to develop efficient habits in order to improve as a student. Once I started perceiving grades as a trajectory of my growth instead of a reflection of my intelligence, my bout with imposter syndrome dissipated and my grades markedly improved. Imposter syndrome makes you feel like you’re unintelligent, unchangeable, and undeserving. Once you realize that you are capable of change, you become in control of your emotions and success.