Slay the Essay

Ready to help students crush their next essay? Slay the Essay breaks down easy steps and killer tips to craft powerful, clear, and confident writing. Say goodbye to writer’s block and hello to A+ essays!

Essay writing tends to get a bad reputation, but it’s one of the most useful skills students can learn. Whether you’re crafting an argument for a class debate or explaining your opinion in writing, knowing how to structure an essay clearly makes a big difference. The good news is that anyone can get better at it with a few practical tips and a little practice.

The first smart move in writing a great essay is picking a topic that interests you. If you have a choice, select something you care about or feel strongly about. For example, writing about “Why schools should offer more creative electives” is going to feel easier than tackling a topic you don’t connect with. If the topic is assigned, find a way to link it to your life or interests.

Once you have a topic, it’s time to plan. Jumping into writing without a clear outline can leave your essay feeling scattered. A simple outline should include an introduction, at least three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Jot down your main points and a piece of evidence you’ll use to back up each one.

In the introduction, start with a hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a surprising fact, a question, or a bold statement. Then, explain what your essay is about and finish with a strong thesis statement. A thesis is one clear sentence that states your main idea and gives the reader a roadmap for what’s coming. For example:
“Schools should offer more creative electives because they improve students’ mental health, increase school engagement, and help students discover new talents.”

Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea that supports your thesis. Start with a topic sentence, then add evidence like facts, examples, or quotes. Always explain how your evidence supports your point. When using information from a source, it’s important to cite it. In most classroom essays, a simple in-text citation will do. For example:
According to a 2022 study by the National Education Association, students involved in art classes reported a 25% drop in stress levels (NEA).

Don’t forget to connect your ideas using transition words and phrases. These help essays flow smoothly and show how your points relate to each other. Words like “for example,” “in addition,” “however,” and “as a result” can guide your reader through your writing.

Finally, wrap it all up with a strong conclusion. Restate your thesis in a new way and leave your reader with a final thought, question, or call to action.

With a clear plan, strong evidence, good transitions, and proper citations, any student can slay their next essay and turn a tough task into a skill they’re proud to show off.