Essay Layouts: Organizing Your Ideas

Posted on October 30, 2009

We are sure you have heard something like “Make a layout of an essay before writing it” from your teacher. It is a good recommendation and one of the ways to write a well-organized essay.
 
A layout of an essay, in other words, can be defined as a writing plan, a way to organize your ideas and things you want to include into your essay. Thus, we also advise you not to neglect this stage, although it requires spending some time.
 
So, do you know how to layout an essay? Actually, every paper, depending on its topic and an essay type, will have a different essay layout. However, the main principles of making essay layouts do not change.
 
In this article, we will explain how to make persuasive essays layouts, since it is one of the common essay types students deal with.
 
Point 1: the main argument
 
Your essay layout will start with the main point of your essay. Decide what you are going to persuade the reader of.
 
Point 2: a thesis statement
 
First, think about the main points to include into your thesis. Then, you can make the thesis itself.
 
Point 3: supporting arguments
 
Each point that you make in the thesis should be well-supported. In your essay layout, write down 2-3 supporting arguments that will back up assertions you make in the thesis.
 
Point 4: opposing arguments
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This I Believe Essays: People Share Their Opinions

Posted on October 29, 2009

Every single person, no matter whether it is a prosperous businessman or a taxi driver, has some values, ideals, principles, and just opinions on various things in this life. And many of these people are glad to share their opinions with others. This is what This I Believe essays are designed for.
 
Sounds interesting? Do you want to know more about This I Believe essays? In our article, you will find necessary explanations.
 
General facts about This I Believe essays
 
This I Believe is a non-profit organization that was found in 2004. It is based on the 1950s radio program, which had the same name – “This I Believe”. These days, as well as more than 50 years ago, people from all walks of life, adults and young people, write short This I Believe essays sharing their basic principles of life.
 
Recommendations for writing This I Believe essays
 
This I Believe essays are not academic assignments. You will not be given a grade on your This I Believe essay, but millions of people around the country will evaluate it.
 
We have already mentioned that This I Believe essays are devoted to one topic – your values, principles of life, anything important that you want to tell others.
 
Here are several writing tips for your This I Believe essay:

• Create a story. It is better to make your This I Believe essay closely connected to your personal life, some experiences, family, etc.
• Focus on your beliefs. Do not tell in your This I Believe essay something you do not actually believe in. Think about your values and things that are important to you.
• Be brief. This I Believe essays are usually no longer than 300 words. It is not much. Thus, better make at least one draft before writing the final version of your This I Believe essay. This will help you include only necessary and worthy details.

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For and Against Essays: View a Problem from Different Perspectives

Posted on October 28, 2009

Essays for and against something are fairly easy assignments to complete. Basically, this essay type is meant to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of something, and you may check our tips for writing an advantages and disadvantages essay.
 
What it actually means is that you do not have to develop and present your strong position on a certain matter. It is quite enough to view your topic from different perspectives and briefly tell what you think about it in the end.
 
For and against essays: how they are usually organized

• An introductory paragraph, where you generally talk about the chosen/assigned topic. Here you do not have to give your opinion yet.
• Body paragraphs, where you separately discuss all points for and against. Mind that each paragraph in your for and against essay should be supported with facts and examples;
• A concluding paragraph that introduces your unbiased opinion on the topic.

For and against essays: issues to consider
 
Actually, a lot of argumentative essay topics will fit for and against essays as well. You may focus on something rather simple and frequently discussed like death penalty or school uniform. Or, you can choose something more complicated like God’s existence, evolution, etc.
 
For and against essays: important things to keep in mind
 
Your opinion on the topic does not really matter in for and against essays. Take an unbiased look at the topic.
 
Still, your opinion can be briefly introduced in the last paragraph of your for and against essay.
 
For and against essays: useful phrases
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Essays on Obesity: Going Behind Typical Issues

Posted on October 27, 2009

Since obesity is turning into one of the acutest problem for the American society, we hear more and more talks about it. Did you know that more than 30% of the United States as a country is classified as obese? Did you know that 112,000 Americans die every year because of obesity?
 
It seems that writing essays on obesity has turned into a typical assignment for many students (by the way, rates of childhood and teenage obesity are also increasing).
 
So, the topic is popular and frequently discussed. You have to prepare an essay on obesity. What are you going to talk about? Here is a list of some typical issues that students cover in their essays on obesity:

• Childhood obesity;
• Effects of fast food on obesity;
• How to stop obesity;
• Healthy eating and lifestyle, etc.

These are quite good issues to highlight in essays on obesity. However, are you going to tell something really new and captivating? We suppose not and offer you a couple of really good topic ideas for your essay on obesity.
 
Fat that people do not see
 
There are many people who do not seem to be seriously obese and overweighed so that to worry about it too much. Yet, they still have high level of inner fat in their body that can do harm. This inner fat causes some forms of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and some other health problems.
 
You may investigate the problem of “invisible” fat in the essay on obesity.
 
Alcohol, depression, and obesity
 
Your essay on obesity can be devoted to very interesting studies that were carried out several years ago. Scientists investigated interrelation between alcohol abuse, depression, and obesity in men and women. Learn more about this.
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Essays on Alexander the Great: Using Well-Known Facts

Posted on October 26, 2009

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try”
Alexander the Great

So, you think you are stuck and cannot complete your essay on Alexander the Great. Yet, have you tried all means to prepare your essay?
 
If the only attempt to make the essay on Alexander the Great boiled down to looking through free papers on Alexander the Great, you did nothing.
 
We can help you and give some hints on how to manage your task.
 
What you should do is collect at least some basic, the most important facts about Alexander’s biography, his empire, and his invasions of other territories. Even these general facts can be used to prepare excellent papers on Alexander the Great.
 
We have described several ways to do this.
 
Essays on Alexander the Great: his leadership qualities (way #1)
 
It is a well-known fact that Alexander was a perfect leader; otherwise, all his accomplishments would be impossible. In your paper on Alexander the Great, investigate what particular features that he possessed helped him become a good leader.
 
Essays on Alexander the Great: leadership qualities (way #2)
 
You can choose another perspective to write your paper on Alexander the Great. Provide some good reasons why he was a bad leader, e.g. very often he acted like a tyrant, did not care too much about his men, etc.
 
You may check our tips for writing essays on leaders.
 
Essays on Alexander the Great: Alexander’s great empire
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