define comprehensive essay

• Essay Writing Tips
• Trusted by thousands of students around the world
• 0044 785 833 6199

How to Write a Comprehensive Essay| Steps and Examples

• Comprehensive Essay
• August 22, 2022
• Ellie Cross

How to Write a Comprehensive Essay| Steps and Examples? If you are planning to write an essay, you will have to follow a set of steps to make the entire process easy. These steps include: Writing a thesis statement, locating sources, drafting an outline, and creating a logical flow of ideas. If you don’t have any idea on how to write an essay, you can always refer to some examples to get some ideas.

Writing a thesis statement

In a comprehensive essay, the thesis statement provides a clear focus and points toward the conclusion of the paper. A weak thesis statement will undermine the entire essay. For example, I would argue that the death penalty is wrong for violent crimes, but not for nonviolent crimes. Furthermore, I would argue that more women should run for political office and become active members of society. These are just some examples of powerful thesis statements.

In addition to a strong thesis statement for an essay , you can also include supporting points in the body of the essay. One example is a book that embodies a social issue. Trust Me by John Updike provides valuable themes that can easily be related to other works. In addition, it is an important addition to the college syllabus and offers a number of easy-to-connect themes. You can also write several paragraphs on different ideas that support the thesis statement.

Finding sources

While it is essential to gather the right information and sources to write a high-quality essay, you should keep in mind that you must also adhere to a deadline. The amount of research required for an essay can take weeks, months, or even years. To help you save time, you can use a two-pronged approach to evaluate your sources: first, read the abstracts and introductions of the articles. Second, read the citations and references. Finally, you should learn how to use the information you have gathered.

Creating an outline

First, create an outline for your paper. Outlines help you organize your ideas and write more easily. Use sequential numbers to represent the major points in your paper. Organize your paragraphs and ideas in the same order and number each one consecutively. You can re-arrange your outline as necessary, but remember that an outline is not a final draft. If you need help creating an outline, visit the Writing Center.

After writing the outline, proofread and edit it thoroughly. Then, go over it one more time to check for errors. Check grammar and style and make sure all references are cited correctly. If you use proper grammar and citation styles, your essay will be a success. Remember to check all sources and check all spellings and grammatical errors! Following proper formatting and referencing style will make your essay look better and will boost your grades.

When writing a comprehensive essay follow a logical flow of ideas

When writing a comprehensive essay, it is imperative that you follow a logical flow of ideas. For example, if your topic is a family problem, your essay structure should move from a student problem to a family problem. The same holds true for an essay that deals with a complex issue. As such, your outline should include topic sentences and a brief summary of each paragraph.

For science articles, logical flow is crucial to the presentation of important results and the whole story. A well-structured, logical flow allows readers to grasp the main message and the argument more easily. In addition, a well-organized piece of writing will foster a valuable exchange of ideas between the author and the reader. The best scientific articles follow a logical flow of ideas.

Creating a conclusion

A comprehensive essay should be rounded out with a powerful conclusion. A conclusion should summarize the main points from the body paragraphs and not repeat them. It should be a clear statement that carries a persuasive message to the audience. It should also be free of quotations and information from outside sources. The conclusion should sound convincing and confident. It should also address the reader’s questions and concerns. Here are a few tips for writing an effective conclusion.

 The most important step in composing a conclusion is to make sure the reader knows the purpose of your paper. You want to capture their attention and make them feel as though they are reading your essay. Using an appropriate ending statement can make your audience feel connected to your argument and will leave a lasting impression. Try to make it as memorable as possible by addressing the most important points of the essay. It also gives the reader a sense of closure.

Ellie Cross is a research-based content writer, who works for Cognizantt, a globally recognised  wordpress development agency uk  and Research Prospect, a  Tjenester til at skrive afhandlinger og essays . Ellie Cross holds a PhD degree in mass communication. He loves to express his views on a range of issues including education, technology, and more.

Related Post :

Benefits of Hiring a Sociology Essay Writing Service:

If you are struggling to write your Sociology essay, you can consider hiring a service […]

How to Write a good Comprehensive Essay?

The first step is to create a thesis statement Comprehensive Essay.

Law Essay Writing Tips – Simple and Easy to Follow

There are some basic tips for writing a law essay. These include an outline, introduction, […]

How to Write an Essay - A Professional Step-By-Step Guide

• How to write an A+ grade Essay

19 common types of Essays students write

Phrases that dictate the type of essay you will write.

• Tips for writing a comprehensive essay

The standard format of an academic essay

• Great essay checklist
• 9 Common essay writing mistakes and how to avoid them
• FAQs about writing an essay

Here is a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to write a good essay. We cover this topic because essay writing is an important practice that equips you with writing skills to survive academics and the real world.

As a student, you are forever condemned to write good essays, contributing to your GPA. While a good deal might consider the process easy, many students need guidance on writing a good essay.

If your main worry is how to write an essay that scores you a good mark on the Rubric, this in-depth, step-by-step essay writing tutorial will be useful. Any student who wishes to achieve an A+ in their essay must ensure that they utilize this detailed guide.

We believe that this comprehensive guide on how to write a good essay will help any student easily score an A. It does not matter the topic you've chosen; so long as you follow these ten steps to writing, check samples of well-written essays, and proofread your papers well, you will succeed. If you are a parent seeking a great essay writing resource, this tutorial is the best on the internet.

We make writing essays such an easy task that all you have left is to ask when you are being assigned an essay next. Our website offers reliable essay help services, which you could use. However, if you want to take the bull by its horns, here is our comprehensive beginner's guide to writing an essay.

10 Steps to write an A+ Grade Essay: The Essay Writing Process

The following steps will help you write an essay, starting with nothing but the essay instructions (prompt and Rubric) and ending with a well-crafted comprehensive essay. We are determined to share this tips so that you make a top-quality essay that has clarity, wonderful organization, and a good flow of ideas.

Step 1: Read the essay prompt and instructions

Although overlooked, getting familiar with any assignment is vital to understanding what your professor, instructor, or teacher is asking for before even starting to write your essay.

Most students give in to the temptation of skipping this step and then end up with a low grade on an essay they probably spent a lot of time on or had high hopes of scoring a better grade. The primary source of poor essay grades is consistently failing to read the instructions.

Take some time to go over the assignment, understand it, and ask your professor/instructor for clarification early enough. You must carefully go through the prompts, grading Rubric, or any material given alongside the essay assignment. The better if you can highlight and take brief notes on your essay assignment.

Reading the instructions helps you understand how the essay will be graded and what your instructor wants to see for them to give you the best grades. With the instructions understood, you are on the right track to writing a good essay.

Step 2: Select a suitable topic for your essay

Understanding what you are being asked to write in your essay is now time to decide what to write about. Typically, you can't just begin writing about everything; an essay is a specific paper that focuses on a single topic.

This is the most daunting of the essay writing processes, but do not get agitated. Although some instructors will give you essay topics to write about, it is usually never given. Instead, in most cases, instructors prefer that students write essays on topics of their choice, leaving you with an elephant hill to climb. Trust us, none of the two options is a walk in the park.

Given that students mostly have to choose from a myriad of ideas when generating topics and get limited to specific topics from the instructors. It becomes a quagmire either way. But let that not confuse you, not with this comprehensive essay guide, never!

Let's crunch the process of choosing a suitable topic for your essay.

Simple steps to choose a pleasant topic for your essay

We can sum up the process of choosing an excellent topic to this statement: Choose a topic that can reasonably address the essay length and one you will most likely have fun writing your essay. A reasonable topic is not too narrow or too broad; it interests you and has research resources that can support your arguments or thesis.

If you are wondering how to choose a good topic, here are some critical seven steps to follow:

• Re-read the assignment instructions. Although you are probably familiar with the instructions, skim them and your notes. This way, you can visualize the structure of the paper and choose an exciting topic that befits the essay you are about to write. In addition, you can go back to the clarification your professor or instructor gave in case you sent a clarification email or messaged them over Canvas.
• Brainstorm your topics. If you are to select the best topic, brainstorm by developing different ideas and looking up general information. This is a stage where you can comfortably use sources such as Wikipedia, which are forbidden to be cited in academic essays. Information search when developing a topic helps you widen your scope of understanding and visualize your essay's thesis or main arguments. When you have all the information, select a suitable topic that appeals to you and meets the essay requirements.
• Focus on a single topic. You only have limited words to write an essay, so you would technically want to keep everything focused. As you select the topic, focus on a narrow topic, but not too narrow to impact your research. Do not choose too broad topics, because you will struggle to write without overgeneralizing.
• List the valuable keywords. When you've settled for a topic or a given direction, list the words that matter when describing, explaining, or analyzing a topic. Then, you can use them in crafting a title for your essay.
• Close in on one topic. You'll probably end up with many topics and have 2-3 topics of preference. At this point, you select one among those and die with it to the end of your essay or change it if you experience challenges.
• Research about the topic. Now that you have the topic, you should research more about it and proceed to the last step below.
• Formulate a title. After you've narrowed it down to a topic, use the keywords you found when researching to formulate a good title for your essay.

Guidelines/tips when choosing essay topics

In academic writing, two events are likely when choosing a topic: (i) you are assigned a specific topic or asked to choose among several, and (ii) you can be asked to come up with a topic and write your essay or send the topic for approval.

When you have to choose your own topic, keep these five tips in mind:

• Select a topic that is appropriate to the essay's length. We have seen students pick topics that are too broad to cover in a short or long essay, which denies them the chance of scoring an A+ on an essay. We urge you to select narrow topics that often lead to close observation instead of broad topics resulting in overgeneralization . This applies to every essay you write: five-page, two- or three-page, six- or ten-page, descriptive , or personal essays . But, again, don't choose a topic that is too narrow that you lack enough to write about or have difficulty finding research sources.
• Choose a topic that interests you. If you suck at writing about cigarettes and alcohol and lean more towards history, go for essay topics on history and run with the topic to an excellent grade. If you pick a topic that interests you, you will probably have more to say. Chances also are that you will write better. Ultimately, you impress the reader: your professor or instructor, and take the best grades home.
• Do not summarize but analyze and discuss. If, for instance, you are writing about The Great Gatsby , avoid the temptation of choosing the entire plot. Instead, choose specific characters, actions, or plot parts that display a given theme. The latter allows you to narrow down to a specific and reasonable thesis.
• Choose a topic you can find material. Even when writing a personal narrative essay or personal statement, you need to ensure that you have the right content to fulfill the requirements of the essay. If you have to use research, although you are not writing a research paper, select a topic where you can find good scholarly sources to support the ideas and develop coherent claims and arguments.
• Be flexible with your topic . After picking a topic, be open to changing it if it seems not working. Instructors love it when you write a good essay rather than grinding out pages and sweating over something with a regrettable topic: a reflection of a poor choice.

Step 3: Research your chosen topic

The moment of truth is finally here: research! Although different people have their own research approach, making it the most flexible essay writing process, you must remain focused and do it fast. After all, you do not have forever to write your essay.

Three quick things about researching your topic: skim, find reliable scholarly sources, and do not ignore/overlook any information.

By skimming, we mean that you do not have to read the entire internet, book, journal, or articles about everything that has been written about your topic. The truth is, you probably can't: technically, it is impossible. So, you should scan things and identify the major points or arguments without bogging down and reading every word you find.

You should find reliable sources to use in your essay. As mentioned, non-scholarly sources like Wikipedia can be used when writing an essay. However, you cannot use them as a definitive source. Instead, you use such general sources as Wikipedia to familiarize yourself with the topic, generate keywords that drive your research, and get a summary of a large pool of information available. However, for the information you will cite in your essay, you must find reliable sources such as books, journals, articles, etc.

After seeding the keywords from general sources, dig deeper into the internet and academic databases or ask an expert where you can find reliable sources: a librarian can come in handy.

Note: You can use Wikipedia for your initial research, but you should never use it as a source for your essay.

Lastly, avoid overlooking or ignoring information. Any article will say whatever it says. Just because an article claims something is wrong or true does not mean it is a proven fact to use in your essay. So, it would help if you verified by researching deeper to find the right facts. Correlate findings from one author with those of authors writing on the same topic for the information's relevance, credibility, and authenticity.

Step 5: Organize your Research

So now that you have all the information you would need, you need to have it organized to make work easier. This is also another essay process that allows flexibility: most people have diverse preferences for organizing information. After all, the end justifies the means here.

You can create a bibliography now that you've selected the best resources. MS Word document allows you to enter bibliography information. Alternatively, you can use online citation tools to organize your bibliography. Online digital bibliography tools help link to sources you found online and can always refer to.

Organizing research helps you to cite every idea as you read and write your essay. For example, instead of writing a paper and then citing later, which often leads to poor in-text citations. Therefore, citing the essay as you write the first draft is advisable.

Besides, it is also a great idea if you have to submit or turn in a bibliography alongside an outline or an annotated bibliography before getting the go-ahead to write your essay.

Either way, create a bibliography that meets the requirements of your essay. Another organization strategy is having your articles bookmarked, downloaded, and saved in a specific folder. Other people prefer writing and printing a list of resources; if it is your thing, go for it!

Step 6: Formulate a strong thesis: the working thesis

At this stage, you have owned your essay writing process. You know what is required of you, have the right topic, and have researched and organized your research. You are ready to formulate your argument, assertion, claim, or opinion. Even when there is nothing apparent to argue against, your paper needs a strong thesis statement.

Find out more about writing a thesis statement for your essay .

You must create a specific, arguable, and strong thesis statement for your essay. Our professional essay writers agree that this is the most critical part after choosing a topic because it defines the direction and scope of your essay.

A thesis is a succinct statement, usually a sentence or two, that you put forward to your readers as to what you are writing about or proving. It is the central argument or idea of your essay. It simply defines what the essay is all about.

A good thesis statement helps you to develop solid arguments and allows you the flexibility to test your ideas. For example, when developing the thesis, you can begin with a one-sentence answer: what is my essay about?

Suppose, for example, you are writing an animal testing essay. In that case, the answer could be something like this: My paper is about the abuse of animal rights by including them in research when there are alternative methods to animal testing.

Suppose you are writing about university policies on freshmen living on campus. In that case, it could read: My essay is about university policies on freshmen students living on campus.

Your essay can be about how media influences children, which means your one-sentence statement can be: My essay is about how media can influence children.

That does not sound hard, does it? However, this is just the beginning. Most students stop here and present this as a thesis statement, only to be disgruntled when an instructor grades their essays poorly.

The truth is that you have to have a definitive thesis that is not about yourself. So, for example, the above statements would transform to:

• Research has proven that there are better alternatives to animal testing, especially for the cosmetics industry, which can be pursued to save animals from unnecessary pain when used in research.
• Most colleges and universities make it mandatory for freshmen students to live on campus during their first year, which helps keep them out of trouble, enables them to concentrate on their studies for better grades, and improves their social skills.
• Media, specifically television, plays a significant role in the lives of children, so it can influence them positively or negatively depending on the programming content.

You can see the glaring differences between the first two sentences in which we began drafting the essay and the second working thesis statement. The bottom line is to eliminate boring words such as "my paper argues," "my paper is about," "this essay argues that," or "I think." Such will automatically lead to lower grades on your essay.

Avoid being too vague but make a powerful statement that makes a specific point about the topic. When crafting your strong thesis statement, ensure that it is arguable. It does not necessarily mean that you choose a controversial or opinionated thesis; it means that someone could disagree with it altogether. Such an approach helps you to create a powerful thesis. The thesis is called a working thesis because it is possible to tweak it as you write the paper.

Step 7: Create a comprehensive essay outline

You now have great ideas from your research and a working thesis. Besides organizing the research, you must organize the ideas for an impressive presentation. Creating an essay outline is a vital step, lack of which your essay will most likely lose its focus, and you'll probably spend more time revising the draft to make sense of the scattered points and thoughts.

An outline is a blueprint or a roadmap for your essay - it helps you structure your paper. For example, you probably wrote three or five-paragraph essays in high school. Maintaining the same structure when writing college, university, and graduate-level essays is okay. However, the specific format you choose should align with the length requirements, the aim of your essay, and the scope of your thesis.

When creating the outline, think critically about the central idea of your thesis, then structure your essay to organize the flow of ideas.

General Essay Outline

Here is a sample general outline for an essay. You can use it to craft your own based on your topic.

I. Introduction

• Hook statement e.g., statistics, quote, or anecdote
• Thesis statement

II. Body Paragraphs (Three)

• Topic sentence supporting the thesis
• Evidence supporting the argument on (a): data, facts, examples.
• Explain how they relate to the thesis
• Closing sentence and transition to the next paragraph

III. Conclusion

• Restate the thesis
• Summary/Synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

Typical Structure for an Academic Essay

Remember that most essays follow the five-paragraph format ; when writing an academic essay in English, it will be divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Below is a visual representation of the structure of an ideal essay. You can adapt it when writing your next essay assignment.

Image credit: Bethlehem College and Seminary

Step 8: Write the essay systematically

With everything else done thus far, it is finally the time the rubber meets the road. Although you might feel you should have started writing sooner, your progress so far is critical and rewarding. It will enable you to create a strong, well-organized, interesting essay.

A warning, though: DO NOT be a perfectionist when writing. Do not give in to the hype of finding the perfect words, focusing too much on excellent subtitles or grammar, or at least making everything in your essay perfect. There is time to polish and perfect your essay. But right now, write.

We have outlined in-depth how to write an eye-catching essay introduction in a separate guide to help you craft introductions that stand out and grab the readers' attention. Of course, any essay writer would tell you that your main focus should be on the reader's attention. So, most importantly, begin your introduction with an essay hook or an attention grabbers such as a statistic, alarming fact, general thought, anecdote, or quote. The introduction should also have a background statement and then be finalized with your thesis. Sometimes, your instructor might ask you to write the roadmap of your essay after the thesis, where you highlight how points are laid down in the body paragraphs and conclusion.

You should have a good paragraph when undertaking academic essay writing. An introduction has different parts, including:

• Essay hook: This is your first sentence, also called the attention grabber. It can be a quote, statistic, fact, anecdote, rhetorical question, or unique statement.
• Background information : You should have two sentences explaining the topic.
• Thesis statement : the thesis statement should feature the argument or chief topic of the essay.
• Outline : Your introduction should let the reader know the logical arrangement of the essay.
• Scope : In this introduction section, narrow the essay's focus.

With the outline, it is time to fill the flesh to the skeleton to make sense of it. If you evolve and find out you need to tweak your outline, you have all the freedom on Earth and outer space. The main issue here is to maintain a focus on your thesis by providing evidence, facts, and points that support the thesis.

Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence, the arguments and relevant evidence to support it, and finally, the closing sentence. The closing sentence transitions your reader to the following body paragraph. As you write, remember only to maintain one key idea/point per each body paragraph: do not jumble up the points to the extent of confusing your readers.

In terms of paragraph length, maintain a word count of 150 words per paragraph or balance 80% of the total essay word count among the paragraphs. Mix short and long sentences as you present evidence, give examples, and illustrate points. The paragraphs can have 5 to 7 sentences each, where you thoroughly support the topic sentence.

When writing the body paragraph, use appropriate sentences to connect the paragraphs. Besides, back your arguments using evidence from literature through in-text citations. Finally, your concluding sentences should summarize a paragraph by restating the central point of the paragraph and including transitions to the next paragraph. Ensure that your body paragraphs have:

• Topic Sentence: This should be the chief argument of the paragraph. It comes first.
• Supporting sentence using evidence: Here, use information from credible sources such as journals, books, government websites, and periodicals to support the topic sentence. Use the relevant transition words to bring flow to your essay.
• The concluding sentence: This sentence winds up the paragraph. It should give a transition to the next paragraph for a good flow.

Wind up the essay by writing a powerful conclusion. Look at our guide to writing solid conclusion paragraphs for your essays. In a nutshell, the conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay. A firm conclusion is neatly written, clear, concise, and elaborate. A strong conclusion is necessary because:

• It shows the value of your argument and why it matters.
• It leaves the readers with a strong impression of your essay writing prowess
• it ties together the focal points in your essay.
• Restates your essay's thesis in a rephrased style to show its development from the introduction through the body paragraphs.
• Reviews the major points in your essay in summary form.

Since your conclusion offers some sense of closure or ends to your argument, it must be written well. In addition, it must show new questions or possibilities that your argument has opened up.

When writing a conclusion, never introduce new evidence. Any evidence supporting the thesis is expected to be already in the body paragraphs. Therefore, you are not allowed to introduce new ideas or sources that need further explanation.

Also, avoid cliché words like in conclusion to sum up or in summary. Although the statements are not forbidden, they water down your writing, making it sound weak. Immediately you return to your thesis; it becomes clear to a reader that you are concluding the essay .

Another tip, when concluding, do not to undermine your argument. This means that you should avoid using apologetic phrases that are uncertain and appear confusing. Even when exploring many positions, your main argument should be clear to your reader.

To write a great conclusion for your essay :

• Present a rephrased version of the overall thesis statement
• Write a brief review of the key points in your body paragraphs
• Show why your argument matters
• Reflect on the broader implications of your argument, demonstrating how your ideas can be applied in different contexts.
• Ensure it is 10-15% of the total word count for the essay

Step 9: Make your Reference and Title pages

So, you've slain the dragon already; what remains is just a bit, and you are done. Assuming you were writing your essay as you insert the in-text citations, the second last ritual is to set up your reference page, which is the last page of your essay.

When writing the references, reference list, bibliography, or works cited page, strictly adhere to each style's formatting and style requirements. Online bibliography makers allow you to save your organized bibliography and change the format without losing the entries. The same applies to the bibliography feature on MS Word.

If you use the digital bibliography, copy and paste your references and format them accordingly.

After the reference page, create a relevant title page for your essay , depending on whether it is in MLA (Modern Language Association), Harvard, Chicago, or APA (American Psychological Association) format. Ensure you use the latest formatting styles, such as MLA 8 or 9 and APA 7 or otherwise directed.

Step 10: Proofread, edit, and polish your first draft into a final draft

The final ritual in the essay writing process is to review it and edit for content and grammar before submitting your essay.

Usually, you need to pause after creating the first draft of your essay and do the revision and polishing when your mind is free, re-energized, and objective enough to see things from a different view. This is where now you can unleash your perfectionist side because it is a do-or-die stage.

Here are some tips to polish your draft into the final comprehensive essay (the final draft worth submitting for grading):

• Edit for content . Check your essay's structure, organization, flow, wording, and length. You can check your essay structure against the outline you created. If the paper is too long or too short, either lengthen or shorten it appropriately . A comprehensive essay must meet the ideal length specified in the Rubric. With the changes, counter-check whether the paper makes sense.
• Edit for grammar . It is important to edit for grammar. For this process, you can use grammar editing software such as Grammarly, Ginger, or Hemingway Editor. In addition, you can read Strunk and White's The Elements of Style , which can help you write better, especially punctuations such as commas and semicolons, and how to avoid run-on sentences. Editing might essentially take a few run-throughs. So, you can take breaks to maintain your frame when editing. Returning to the paper with a fresh mind helps focus, which helps identify and fix mistakes.
• Re-read the entire essay . Once you are done editing grammar and content, take a break, then re-read the entire essay. As you read, focus on proofreading to remove the syntax, mechanical, and style errors. Double-check your paper against the Rubric and the instructions as well. Countercheck the flow of the body paragraphs and remove any complex sentences. Also, check the format of your essay, including the indentation, alignment, margins, and page numbers. You can always use online essay grading or editing services if your essay needs more polishing.

When self-editing an academic essay, focus mainly on improving the flow of your essay. Here is a checklist to guide you:

• Subject-verb agreement
• Sentence fragments
• Confusing phrases or words
• Pronoun agreement mistakes
• Spelling mistakes
• Grammatical errors
• Misplaced words
• Run-on sentences
• Missing words
• Passive tense
• Missing references
• Missing citations
• Punctuation mistakes

We hope this makes you a better editor for your essay if you can write one.

Re-cap of how to write a good essay like a pro

We can summarize all the ten steps of writing a good essay into three main stages: preparation, writing, and revision.

• The preparation stage involves deciding on the topic, conducting your research, organizing research, formulating the thesis, ad creating an essay outline.
• The writing stage entails writing the introduction, developing the thesis using evidence in the body paragraphs, and writing a summative conclusion.
• The revision stage entails editing for content, proofreading, and polishing the essay to ensure your essay's style, format, grammar, and organization are okay.

On a typical day, our top-rated essay writers confirm that they religiously follow the steps, which is why we end up with quality written essays. The writers also confirm that once you learn how to maneuver the three stages, you will do them involuntarily when writing essays. No wonder we write last-minute essays that score A+. Equally, all the steps matter and contribute to your final grade.

Now that we know how to write a comprehensive essay that scores the best grades, wouldn't it be an injustice if we failed to cover some common types of essays you will probably encounter to know how to go about each? Well, let's jump to it, then.

There are more than five different types of essays. However, the main types of essays include expository , narrative , compare and contrast , persuasive/argumentative , and descriptive essays . Now, you might only know these five. Still, we bet you there are more than ten variants of essays you will encounter in your high school, college, or university life.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

Contrary to argumentative or persuasive essays, advantages and disadvantages explore the pros and cons of a given issue without convincing the audience to adopt the author's side of the argument/perspective. An example of a topic for this essay: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources or the pros and cons of legalizing medical marijuana.

Analytical Essays

An analytical essay presents an argument or claims on what the author is writing about. For instance, it could involve a movie, film, play, literary work, or a piece of art. It could also entail the analysis of behavior, tendency, occurrence, or event. To write an analytical essay, the author often uses logical reasoning, critical thinking, and sound judgment to achieve some natural flow. The common analytical essays include persuasive analytical essays, analytical expository essays, analytical history essays, and analytical comparison essays. Example of a topic for an analytical essay: Why do teenagers run from home? Or why do stalkers like social media?

Argumentative Essays

Argumentative essays entail the author trying to persuade the readers to adopt their perspective by immaculately presenting the pros, cons, and counterarguments on a given issue. It is among the common types of essays assigned as homework in college. However, all disciplines are likely to write an argumentative essay when it comes to written assignments. Example of an Argumentative Essay Topic: Is social media a surveillance tool than a communication medium?

Classification Essays

The primary role of a classification essay is to group and separate objects, things, events, or places according to salient characteristics. Therefore, finding a unique approach to classifying things is always advisable. For instance, you can be asked to write about the five types of personalities.

College Admission Essays

Every year, students are required to submit a college application essay as part of their application process. In this type of essay, your role is to convince the admission board/committee of the reason they should admit you to the college or university. You could be out there wondering how to choose the best topic for a college essay or how to write it better, but when you are done reading this, it will be history. This is similar to the common APP essays or personal statements.

Compare and Contrast Essays

The name lays bare what a compare and contrast essay is. It simply involves comparing the differences and similarities of phenomena, events, occurrences, physical features, countries, celebrities, comedies, books, vehicles, people, etc. For example, a good topic would be to compare and contrast communism and capitalism.

Critical Essays

In a critical essay , you are meant to criticize and evaluate a piece of art, literature, or anything presented by revealing its strengths and weaknesses. It entails presenting a deep analysis of a given topic critically, logically, and flowingly.

Cause and effect essays

In a cause-and-effect essay, writers aim to explore the causes and consequences of a given phenomenon or event. There are methods or approaches to follow. You can begin by outlining the causes and then the effects or do a cross-comparison in paragraphs. You can choose an appropriate cause-and-effect essay topic from our topics for cause-and-effect essays.

Definition Essays

In this type of essay, you define a term, concept, idea, vocabulary, process, phenomenon, or occurrence by providing in-depth details. When writing one, you should explore the origin/genesis, meanings, applications, and maybe pros and cons, where necessary. For instance, an excellent topic for a definition essay would be Exploring the concept of divorce. Or Define the concept of social media or Hacktivism.

Descriptive/Description Essays

Your role as an author of a descriptive essay is to describe things, people, events, or phenomena. It should be written from a personal perspective point of view and should offer your general impression. For example, describe the appearance, smell, feeling, etc.

Discursive Essays

In a discursive essay , the role of the author is to offer an unbiased and reliable assessment of a given issue. It is close to an argumentative essay in that it requires choosing a controversial topic, only that the discursive essays present a balanced discussion. Common discursive essays include opinion essays and for and against essays.

Expository Essays

An expository essay explores a subject or phenomenon from the author's point of view. It is all about simplifying an explanation to a given topic without trying to prove anything. Your key role is to present the advantages and disadvantages, merits and demerits, or pros and cons to the readers. Example of Expository Essay Topic: Explain why art therapy can be used in mental health hospitals. Or Explore the possibility of using laughter as medicine.

Narrative Essays

In a narrative essay, you must always use the first person to tell a story about yourself. It is like writing an autobiography.

Personal Essays

These are essays you write about yourself. It is almost similar to the narrative essay. It is a variant of a narrative essay. Examples of personal essays are essays about yourself, such as scholarship essays, statements of purpose, transfer letters, appeal letters, and admission essays.

Persuasive Essays

This type of essay is the extreme opposite of an argumentative essay. It is meant to change the readers' point of view so that they adopt that of the author as an axiom. Even though it sounds simple, it is one of the toughest types of essays. Write it well so everyone who reads your essays eventually agrees with your thoughts and reasoning. In a persuasive essay, the reader must find worth in your statements. Here is where your negotiation skills and power of conviction play a role.

Poetry Essays

A poetry analysis essay , as the name suggests, entails discussing the critical components of an essay. For example, it could explore a poem's literary devices, themes, and central claims. Example of a poetry essay topic: Explore the theme of heroism in the Beowulf Poem.

Process Essays

As the name suggests, you offer a step-by-step guide to the readers in this type of essay. It should be loaded with comprehensive information. This article could easily be a process essay as we explore the essay writing process. Example of a process essay topic: Explain the Solvay process. Or Explain how to choose an outstanding essay topic.

Profile Essays

Profile essays are essays where you describe a person, place, event, or anything in detail. It could be an essay you write about yourself or one you write about someone. For instance, you can write an essay about Elon Musk, Bill Gates, President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, and President Vladimir Putin.

Synthesis Essays

Ranked among the type of essays as advanced-level writing, a synthesis essay explores a unique viewpoint on a central idea, a topic, or a theme.

Problem-solution essays

A problem-solution essay is a persuasive essay where the writer describes a problem, convinces the readers to care about the problem, and proposes the most effective solution while rebutting any objections. It can either describe multiple solutions or focus on a single solution to a problem.

Informative Essay

An informative essay is meant to educate your readers about a specific topic. It can define a term, compare and contrast things, analyze data, demonstrate how-to, or outline processes without presenting opinions or persuading the readers.

There are direction words that guide you on what to do to your essay.

• Describe:  Here, you should write about facts, events, and processes. It should follow a specific order and emphasize the importance of something. It is best if you interpret or explain when writing descriptive essays.
• Explain:  In such essays, you are required to analyze and clarify points. It is a common approach in cause-and-effect essays. This is a common approach to narrative essays.
• Discuss:  Such essays require that you give a point of view or perspective or expound on something. While doing so, use examples, arguments, and evidence from credible sources.
• Compare and contrast:  Just as the name,  compare and contrast essays  require that you find the differences and similarities between events, ideas, or interpretations.
• Critique:  critique essays discuss the strengths and weaknesses of articles, books, or art.
• Argue:  argumentative or persuasive essays require that you systematically or logically reject or support an idea through proper evidence.
• Classify : it should be all about clustering ideas based on given criteria. This is a common practice in  classification essays .
• Critically analyze : it should be a critical analysis. This means it can be an analytical essay.

Check out our guide on the power words to use in your essay to impress your professors and readers. 

Tips for Writing a comprehensive essay

Like any other game, some guidelines guide how essays are written. Here are the rules of academic essay writing.

• Use formal academic English . Disdain using slang when writing your academic essay. On the same note, avoid using tough English words. Instead, use appropriate academic writing phrases to present ideas in your essay. Simplicity is king when writing essays.
• Analyze the questions to ensure you write an essay that answers the prompt or assignment Rubric.
• Everything you write should be well-cited . Back up ideas using evidence from credible sources to avoid plagiarism .
• Wikipedia is never a source in academic essay writing. However, you can use it to familiarize yourself with the topic, brainstorm ideas, and gather useful knowledge on approaching a question or topic.
• Whenever you use information that is not your original idea, reference the source to avoid plagiarism. For instance, when paraphrasing an idea of an article, ensure that you correctly provide the in-text citation and the references.
• Always follow your instructor's particular formatting and citation styles relevant to your field.
• Avoid plagiarism at all costs. Professors love plagiarism-free essays.
• Write your essays in prose. However, use well-balanced paragraphs. A paragraph should never exceed 150 words.
• Always follow the five-paragraph essay format: introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Your introduction and conclusion should each be 10% of the total word count.
• An essay must have a hook and thesis as part of your introduction.

Like writing research papers, term papers, or reports, writing essays differ from the instructions provided. You need to thoroughly check the assignment instructions to get an insight into the formatting guidelines to use. However, most academic essays would require that you use the following:

• 5 by 11-inch paper
• Double spaced
• Font 12 pt. (the standard legible font)
• 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper
• Page number
• Cover page/title page
• First-line indentation for the paragraphs
• Left-aligned paper
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri fonts.

The assignment rubric will also contain the headings and subheadings breakdown instructions. Some professors like giving the number of pages and references for academic essays.

How to Cite Ideas in an Essay

The citation format depends on the subject matter. Sometimes, if left with the choice, it is a matter of preference of the student. However, the most common citation styles include MLA, APA, Harvard, Chicago, ASA, and Oxford.

• Academic essays on subjects within social sciences mostly use APA and  ASA style  citations.
• Academic essays are written in humanities subjects, including history and literature, and use Turabian, Chicago, or MLA style citations.
• Most medical, psychology, criminology, and nursing essays or health-related essays such as nursing academic essays are written in AMA style.
• It is good to have a clue about the citation you are using. Otherwise, you should seek essay writing help from Gradecrest. Our essay writers can format, edit, and proofread your essays. All you need to do is to request assistance from our editing and proofreading service.

Features of a Comprehensive Essay

When assigning an essay, instructors, and professors often remind you that they look forward to a comprehensive essay.

• It is thorough, well-composed, and deep. A comprehensive essay is an essay that thoroughly discusses a particular issue or presents compelling arguments that support or prove a thesis statement. Its content focus on explaining issues at a deeper level without deliberate omission of some important facts.
• It is well written. Writing a comprehensive essay is not rocket science. It is like giving your best when preparing, writing, and revising your essay. After all, any well-written essay is a comprehensive essay.
• Easy to spot and understand the main argument. When an audience reads such an essay, they should be able to understand the author's arguments, make up their mind about the topic, and reason with the content.
• Has balanced paragraphs. Depending on the length, a comprehensive essay has a well-balanced introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs.
• Has a substantial, elaborate, and reasonable thesis. The introduction of a comprehensive essay has a strong thesis that informs the readers of the essay's central aim or argument.
• Does not have errors. A perfect essay's structure, presentation, organization, and flow are flawless. Each paragraph has transitions connecting it to the following and knits the entire essay.

Thus far, we hope you will write a perfect essay to score you a better grade. If not, you can buy essays from our website to supplement your writing process. Our bespoke essays are written from scratch following the ten steps outlined above to give you plagiarism-free essays.

9 most common Essay Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Every student writing an essay expects that it will earn them the best grades. However, a thin line exists between a well-written academic essay and garbage. Yes, garbage in the sense that it makes no sense. To avoid corrections with comments from your professor, lower grades, and resubmission requests, you must avoid these nine common mistakes students make when writing their essays.

• Writing vague thesis statements . Writing a good essay depends on coming up with a strong thesis. Having a vague, weak, and unsupported thesis statement is a suicide mission on your grades. State your thesis to be specific as possible.
• Using too many quotes . An essay demonstrates your understanding of the topic and how well you research to back up arguments. Overusing quotes in an essay from the text you are analyzing r from the resources from research denies you the authority on the topic. Use quotations sparingly, and leave them out if they are unnecessary.
• Plagiarism . Avoid directly taking words from a source and using them as your own. Equally, do not reword an entire article or a section of it and claim it as your work. Instead, read, internalize, summarize, paraphrase, and cite ideas. Then, write an essay from your understanding of the topic and use facts from other sources to support your argument. Plagiarism has serious consequences, such as expulsion. There are rigorous university and college anti-plagiarism policies, adhere to them.
• Punctuation mistakes . Mind your Ps and Qs when writing your essays. Also, dot your I's in the essay. In simple terms, ensure that the commas, hyphens, semicolons, colons, quotation marks, full stops, and question marks are placed and used correctly.
• Using hard-to-read sentences. This is a common mistake most students make. They write lengthy, complex sentences, sometimes run-on sentences. Surprisingly, these sentences do not cut it. Write clear, concise, and coherent sentences instead of using complex words (jargon), phrases, and many words. Let the reader see sentence variety in your essay: you can achieve this by mixing short and long sentences.
• Using non-scholarly sources. Yes, you can use Wikipedia and other sources from the internet but do not cite them in your essay: only use them to familiarize yourself with the topic. Use scholarly sources written by academic experts and professionals. When using websites, use credible .edu, .org, and .gov websites.
• Writing descriptively and not analytically . The entire point of writing an essay is to create an argument and defend the thesis. Therefore, it is crucial to be critical. Instead of telling (restating), show your readers.
• Rewording the introduction as your conclusion . Conclusion is not rewording your introduction. Also, students begin concluding paragraphs with cliché words. To avoid this, rephrase the thesis in your opening sentence for the conclusion paragraph, summarize the main points, and reflect on the argument you made: the bigger picture.
• Lacking enough evidence to support the thesis . Students sometimes pick a topic they struggle to understand and write an essay on it. Other times, it focuses too much on the opinions and ideas of the writer rather than the evidence. To avoid this, remain flexible when writing an essay. Also, choose a topic that is narrow and has evidence. Finally, select a topic where you can find information to support ideas.

FAQs about writing a good essay

Here are some questions that students frequently ask when writing their essays. We have provided answers that can point you in the right direction with the right trajectory. Our professional essay writers  brainstormed on these questions and provided some concise answers:

Can I use images in my essay?

Yes, you can use and cite illustrations such as photos, graphs, images, and etch in your essays as long as they are directly related to your essay. However, unless your instructor wants you to use them, leave them out when writing an essay. Do not use them, thinking they will take up space. The use of images is encouraged for ad analysis essays, geography essays, visual analysis essays, or art analysis essays. Still, each image, graph, or illustration must be cited with an appropriate in-text citation.

When do I cite sources in an essay?

At high school, college, university, and graduate-level essay writing, you must properly cite the sources of your essay, just like you do when writing a research paper or a dissertation, or other academic tasks. Citations should be used when paraphrasing, quoting, or summarizing information or ideas from a scholarly source. Apart from in-text citations, you must also provide the full details of the referenced source in your references, reference list, or works cited pages, which come at the end of your essay.

Why does an essay need a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence or two sentences that summarize the central idea of your essay or any academic paper. It is the main argument you make in the paper. It is essential when writing academic papers because it gives your text's scope, direction, and focus. It equally helps the readers to understand your main point concisely. It is the frame upon which you build your arguments in the essay.

Is the thesis the same as the claim in an essay?

In essay writing, the thesis is synonymous with your central aim, central argument, or main argument since it unifies the rest of the essay.  It is the reason why it should be interpretive or analytical rather than factual or descriptive.

Is a thesis the same as a research question?

No, while a thesis statement is a short and concise sentence or two that summarizes the main point or idea in an essay or research paper, a research question is a question that indicates the direction of research. A research question is often an open-ended query and not a final claim as the thesis. A thesis makes a specific claim or assertion about a topic that can be challenged or debated. On the contrary, a research question helps determine the methodology to use in subsequent stages of inquiry.

Must I write a topic sentence in an essay?

Yes, a topic sentence is a sentence that comes first in your body paragraphs. It is very critical in that it expresses the main idea of your paragraph, meaning that everything else in the paragraph that comes after it is related to it. You develop arguments, provide evidence, and offer examples supporting the topic sentence.

How do I nail the introduction of my essay?

To nail your introduction paragraph:

• Start with an appropriate opening hook or attention grabber to catch your readers' attention.
• Provide clear, concise, and coherent background information about the topic that your readers must know.
• Write a thesis that presents your major argument, main claim, or central idea.

Distribute the word count of your introduction according to the length of your essay.

Where do I find good sources for my essay?

To find good sources for your essay, research on the internet, scholarly databases, google scholar, and trustworthy websites, newspapers, and magazine articles such as the Guardian, TIME, Wall Street Journal, or New York Times . Some online scholarly databases include EBSCO, InfoTrack, ProQuest, LexisNexis, Google Scholar, or JSTOR. Avoid using non-scholarly sources in your essay. Rather, these non-scholarly general sources can be used when developing an understanding of your topic.

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

How to Write a Definition Essay: A Step-by-Step Manual for Writing an A+ Paper

Samuel Gorbold

According to a definition essay meaning, it involves a thoughtful exploration and clarification of the significance of a chosen concept. To begin, carefully select a term that is broad enough to allow for in-depth analysis but specific enough to avoid ambiguity. Start the essay with a concise and standard definition drawn from reputable sources like dictionaries to provide a foundational understanding. However, most of the essay should go beyond this basic definition. Delve into the complexities of the concept, breaking it down into different components, categories, or aspects. Provide examples, anecdotes, and scenarios that illustrate the notion in various contexts, allowing readers to grasp the nuances and depth of its meaning.

Wondering how to add a definition in an essay? Structurally, a definition essay typically follows a clear and organized format. Begin with an introduction that introduces the term and its importance, followed by a thesis statement that outlines your interpretation. Each subsequent paragraph should focus on a different vista of the concept, exploring its history, evolution, and various renditions. Use transitions to ensure a smooth flow between passages. In conclusion, summarize the key points, restate your hypothesis, and leave the audience with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action. Remember that the goal is not just to define the notion but to provide a comprehensive and insightful exploration that enhances the professor's competence. Our essay writers online can help you foster a richer appreciation for the complexities inherent in language and society.

What Is a Definition Essay

A definition essay meaning suggests it is a type of academic writing that aims to provide a comprehensive explanation of a particular construct or concept. Unlike other forms of essays that may focus on argumentation or persuasion, a definition essay primarily seeks to elucidate the meaning of the chosen motif. What is the purpose of a definition essay? To delve beyond the surface-level comprehension of the word and offer a nuanced explanation combining personal insights and a broader, commonly accepted definition. This genre of essay often requires careful analysis, research, and consideration of various perspectives to present a well-rounded and thorough exploration of the selected consideration.

During the definition essay writing process, it is crucial for the writer to not only offer a concise dictionary-like definition but also to provide context, examples, and relevant anecdotes that help illuminate the leitmotif's multifaceted nature. This allows the reader to gain a deeper familiarization of the subject matter and encourages critical thinking. The essay may cover abstract concepts like love, justice, or freedom, or it can explore concrete assumptions such as technology, democracy, or sustainability. Through carefully selecting the apprehension and thoughtful exploration of its meaning, a well-executed definition essay engages readers.

Definition Essay Outline

To learn how to write a definition essay, you have to understand that a well-structured definition essay typically follows a standard creative writing format to ensure clarity and coherence in presenting the chosen concept. The introduction serves as the starting point, where the writer provides a standard definition of the aspect to establish a baseline realization for the audience. However, the introduction should go beyond a mere dictionary definition; it should include an argument that outlines the writer's interpretation and sets the stage for the following in-depth exploration. This statement guides the tutor on what to expect in the essay and highlights the specific dimensions the writer will delve into.

After realizing how to start a definition essay, proceed to the main body, where the idea is dissected and examined in detail. Each subsection within the body should focus on a distinct aspect or facet. It's crucial to provide clear and comprehensive explanations, incorporating examples, anecdotes, and illustrations to enhance the reader's erudition. Additionally, consider organizing the body paragraphs logically, perhaps moving from the more general vistas to its more specific or nuanced dimensions. Transitions between sections are essential for maintaining a smooth flow and coherence. 

Finally, the conclusion should restate the key sentence, summarize the key points discussed in the body, and offer a thoughtful reflection or a broader implication of the facet. The conclusion should leave a lasting impression and reinforce the significance of the conception in the context explored throughout the essay. Browse these essays for sale to find great examples of definition essays performed by academic wordsmiths. 

Introduction

• Hook: Engage the classroom with an interesting fact, quote, or anecdote related to the theme.
• Background: Provide a standard and basic definition from a reliable source.
• Thesis Statement: Clearly state your interpretation and the aspects you will explore in the essay.

Body Paragraphs

• Aspect 1: Start with the broader or general outlook.
• Definition: Provide a detailed explanation of the first aspect.
• Examples: Offer relevant examples, anecdotes, or scenarios to illustrate the concept.
• Aspect 2: Move on to a specific dimension.
• Definition: Delve into the details of the second aspect.
• Examples: Support your explanation with concrete examples to enhance clarity.
• Continue with additional angles as needed, ensuring a logical flow between passages.

Counterarguments (Optional)

• Address possible alternative interpretations or misconceptions.
• Refute counterarguments and reinforce the validity of your interpretation.
• Summarize: Recap the key points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Restate Thesis: Reinforce your interpretation of the term.
• Concluding Thoughts: Provide a thoughtful reflection, broader implication, or a call to action.

Definition Essay Introduction

In the introductory section of a definition essay, the reader is presented with the topic in a manner that is not only highly informative but also compelling enough to engage them throughout the entire essay. To achieve this, the following elements are crucial:

• Hook: Utilize a captivating phrase or question to seize the reader's attention.
• Background Information: Briefly elucidate the topic and underscore its significance in being defined.
• Thesis Statement: Clearly articulate the term and provide your own interpretation of it.

Definition Essay Thesis

Unlike traditional theses, a definition essay thesis statement doesn't require the writer to argue a point. For those aiming to write an effective definition essay, the key lies in incorporating a central assertion into the concluding sentence of the introduction. Whether you're immersed in the study of astrophysics at a top-tier college or any other discipline, your statement should succinctly define the concept in your own words.

Definition Essay Body Paragraphs

As we’ve learned how to start an essay with a definition, let’s move on to the main body. Within the body of your essay, dismantle the conception into its constituent elements, assess it from various perspectives, and offer a pertinent justification. Depending on the specific writing requirements of your assignment, the number of sections may exceed three. You can introduce additional sections or rearrange the order based on the complexity of the thought. Consider employing the following structure if you want to know how to write a definition paragraph:

• Historical Definition: Detail the origin and evolution of the main idea.
• Dictionary Definition: Present the official definition and draw comparisons with your own interpretation.
• Personal Definition: Articulate your awareness of the hypothesis, supported by examples and anecdotes.
• Expert Definition: Reference a scholar's definition and elucidate any disparities from your own rendition.
• Cultural Definition: Examine how the notion is employed in popular culture and its reflection of societal values.

Definition Essay Conclusion

In the concluding paragraph, the final portion of the essay, you can study how to define a word in an essay. It is imperative to recapitulate the main points. Structure a fitting ending by following these steps:

• Restate Thesis: Summarize your definition and underscore its significance.
• Implications: Clarify how comprehending the focal point can influence our thoughts and actions.
• Call to Action: Motivate readers to employ the term accurately and advocate for precise definitions within their communities.

Definition Essay Types

Have you encountered a captivating abstraction with a rich history but didn’t know how to put definition in essay? Before committing to it, carefully consider the characteristics of definition essay and the potential approaches you can take. 

• Break down your topic into distinct components.
• Define each component separately to provide a detailed insight.

Classification

• Identify and explore the different categories or groups that your term falls under.
• Provide detailed explanations for each category, highlighting the nuances of the term.
• Showcase the uniqueness of your term by comparing it to more common or typical things.
• Highlight how your term stands out, whether through similarities or differences from the norm.
• Identify and elaborate on the specific traits and qualities that best represent the central idea of your essay.
• Support your definition with concrete examples illustrating the identified traits.
• Clearly state what your term is not, providing a refined and narrowed definition.
• Use negation to eliminate ambiguity and focus the reader's perception.

Origins and Causes

• Explore the historical roots of your term, including its first appearance and any relevant historical details.
• Provide insight into the origin and evolution of the concept over time.

Results, Effects, and Uses

• Examine the consequences and outcomes associated with your term.
• Detail the various ways in which the term is utilized and its significance in different contexts.

Tips for Writing a Definition Essay

Few students actually know how to write a definition in an essay, which can pose a challenge as it requires developing a thorough depiction of a singular term that combines both scholarly and personal elements. Selecting a term that allows for a comprehensive exploration of the essay is crucial, and adhering to traditional methods is instrumental in ensuring a nuanced grasp. Here are some tips to help you perform an effective and engaging definition essay:

• Select a term that has a clear and widely accepted definition. Avoid writing overly broad or subjective terms that may lead to ambiguity.
• Conduct thorough research to understand the various meanings and interpretations of the term. Consult reputable sources, dictionaries, and scholarly articles to gather comprehensive information.
• Begin your essay by presenting the standard or dictionary definition of the term. This serves as a foundation for your own elucidation.
• Write your personal exegis of the term. Share your perspective and insights, going beyond the standard definition.
• Experiment with different approaches such as analysis, classification, comparison, or negation to add depth to your essay. This allows you to explore various facets of the term.
• To answer the question how do you put a definition in an essay, illustrate your definition with relevant examples, anecdotes, or scenarios. Concrete examples help readers better grasp the meaning of the term.
• Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each subsection should focus on a specific element of the term, contributing to a comprehensive interpretation.
• Acknowledge and address different perspectives on the term. Discuss how the meaning may vary based on context, culture, or private experiences.
• Use negation to define the term by explaining what it is not. This technique helps to eliminate confusion and refine the definition.
• Strive for clarity and precision in your language. Avoid unnecessary complexity and ensure that each word contributes to the development of the term.
• Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Ensure that your definition is well-supported and that your writing is free from grammatical errors.
• Write for your target audience. Tailor your explanations to suit the level of erudition of your readers, providing enough detail without overwhelming them.
• Summarize your main points in the conclusion and restate your argumentation. Consider the broader implications or significance of writing about the term.
• Have someone else read your essay to gain feedback. This can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas for improvement.

Need extra tips regarding how to write an academic essay ? Our expensive guide offers everything you need and more to write A-grade essays quickly. 

Definition Essay Topic Ideas

Check out 30 definition essay examples of topics that you can get inspired by and brainstorm your own brilliant ideas to write about in your essay. 

• Defining true achievement beyond material wealth.
• Exploring the many faces of bravery.
• Unraveling the layers of genuine connection.
• A multifaceted journey to contentment.
• Navigating the moral compass in a complex world.
• The power to bounce back from life's challenges.
• Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• The ever-evolving landscape of creative progress.
• Striving for fairness in a diverse society.
• Balancing personal liberties with social responsibility.
• The interplay of self-perception and social constructs.
• Integrating knowledge and experience for sound judgment.
• The pursuit of fairness and equity in legal systems.
• Nurturing connections that transcend time and distance.
• Beyond the classroom – lifelong learning and growth.
• Building bonds in a hyperconnected world.
• Fostering hope in the face of adversity.
• Inspiring and guiding others toward a common goal.
• Unveiling the aesthetic essence beyond physical appearance.
• Celebrating differences for a richer human experience.
• Acts of selflessness in a self-centric world.
• Balancing human needs with environmental responsibility.
• Unleashing imagination for innovative problem-solving.
• A holistic approach to physical and mental well-being.
• Standing in the intersection of heritage and modernity.
• Examining the impact of innovation on human life.
• Transformative growth in the face of challenges.
• The evolution of thought and behavior across the lifespan.
• Discovering meaning and direction in life.
• The art of expressing ideas and building connections.

Two Definition Essay Examples

To grasp the essence of what writing definition essay is about, it’s always a great idea to have a vivid example in front of you. Preferably done by someone who knows their writing craft. If you choose to use this definition essay example as a reference, feel free to analyze its structure and format. Alternatively, you can opt to purchase an essay affordably and of the highest quality on our platform!

How to Write a Good Thesis Statement for Definition Essay?

How to write a definition essay, how to format a definition in an essay, how to write a definition paragraph.

Samuel Gorbold , a seasoned professor with over 30 years of experience, guides students across disciplines such as English, psychology, political science, and many more. Together with EssayHub, he is dedicated to enhancing student understanding and success through comprehensive academic support.

• Plagiarism Report
• Unlimited Revisions
• 24/7 Support

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons

Margin Size

• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

4.10: Definition Essays

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 107764

• Kathryn Crowther et al.
• Georgia Perimeter College via GALILEO Open Learning Materials

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

Writing a Definition Essay

Choose a topic that will be complex enough to be discussed at length. Be sure that the term is abstract, and that it is or refers to something that can mean different things to different people. Also, be sure that you choose a word that you have some familiarity with. Since you need to elaborate on the word you choose to define, you will need to have your own base of knowledge or experience with the concept you choose. If you try to define something that is beyond the scope of your paper or your own experience, the task will become overwhelming and get mired down in details or abstractions.

After you have chosen your word or phrase, start your essay with an introduction that establishes the relevancy of the term in the chosen specific context. Your thesis comes at the end of the introduction, and it should clearly state your definition of the term in the specific context. Establishing a context from the beginning will orient readers and minimize misunderstandings; for example, if you are defining the word childhood, you will need to explain if you are discussing the developmental stages of childhood, the history and evolution of the notion of childhood, or the cultural attitudes towards childhood in a certain country.

The body paragraphs should each be dedicated to explaining a different facet of your definition. Make sure to use clear examples and strong details to illustrate your points. A definition can be developed in a number of ways. A definition of a business management concept such as Total Quality Management (TQM), for instance, could begin with a history  of its inception in Japanese management systems, its migration across the Pacific, its implementation and transformation in American systems, and its predicted demise. It could also (or instead) include examples of the kind of labor conflict that TQM is supposed to eliminate or alleviate. Or it could describe TQM as a process , the steps involved in its implementation, or involve an analysis of its principles and its place in management theory. Contrasts to other management theories might be appropriate, demonstrating what TQM is not as well as what it is. We could even think of it as a cause and effect situation in which we describe how TQM responds to certain needs in the workplace. Negation also works well, as you can define your topic by what it is not or does not have. A definition essay is not limited to any one method of development and it may, in fact, employ more than one method at once. Implicit in all of these techniques, and therefore essential in your essay, is an analysis of this topic you have chosen. By developing and explaining your own opinion of what the topic you have chosen means, you are in a way analyzing the topic.

Your concluding paragraph should pull together all the different elements of your definition to ultimately reinforce your thesis and explain why your definition is a compelling interpretation of your chosen word or term. It draws a conclusion based on the overall breakdown of the information offered throughout the body of the essay.

Some Additional Tips About Definition

• Avoid using the phrases “is where” and “is when” in your definition: “Total Quality Management is when management and labor agree to....” “A computer virus is where....”
• Avoid circular definitions (repeating the defined term within the predicate, the definition itself): “A computer virus is a virus that destroys or disrupts software....”
• Avoid using a too narrow definition, one that would unduly limit the scope of your paper: “Reggae music is sung on the Caribbean island of Jamaica....”
• Don’t rely on that old cliché of the dictionary or encyclopedia definition. Even if your intent is to show how inadequate or wrong-headed the dictionary might be, this device has been used far too often to be effective. The point of your essay is to provide your reader with a new way of looking at things — your way, not Noah Webster’s.

Sample Definition Essays

Defining Good Students Means More Than Just Grades

Many people define good students as those who receive the best grades. While it is true that good students often earn high grades, I contend that grades are just one aspect of how we define a good student. In fact, even poor students can earn high grades sometimes, so grades are not the best indicator of a student’s quality. Rather, a good student pursues scholarship, actively participates in class, and maintains a positive, professional relationship with instructors and peers.

Good students have a passion for learning that drives them to fully understand class material rather than just worry about what grades they receive in the course. Good students are actively engaged in scholarship, which means they enjoy reading and learning about their subject matter not just because readings and assignments are required. Of course, good students will complete their homework and all assignments, and they may even continue to perform research and learn more on the subject after the course ends. In some cases, good students will pursue a subject that interests them but might not be one of their strongest academic areas, so they will not earn the highest grades. Pushing oneself to learn and try new things can be difficult, but good students will challenge themselves rather than remain at their educational comfort level for the sake of a high grade. The pursuit of scholarship and education rather than concern over grades is the hallmark of a good student.

Class participation and behavior are another aspect of the definition of a good student. Simply attending class is not enough; good students arrive punctually because they understand that tardiness disrupts the class and disrespects the professors. They might occasionally arrive a few minutes early to ask the professor questions about class materials or mentally prepare for the day’s work. Good students consistently pay attention during class discussions and take notes in lectures rather than engage in off-task behaviors, such as checking their cell phones or daydreaming. Excellent class participation requires a balance between speaking and listening, so good students will share their views when appropriate but also respect their classmates’ views when they differ from their own. It is easy to mistake quantity of class discussion comments with quality, but good students know the difference and do not try to dominate the conversation. Sometimes class participation is counted toward a student’s grade, but even without such clear rewards, good students understand how to perform and excel among their peers in the classroom.

Finally, good students maintain a positive and professional relationship with their professors. They respect their instructor’s authority in the classroom as well as the instructor’s privacy outside of the classroom. Prying into a professor’s personal life is inappropriate, but attending office hours to discuss course material is an appropriate, effective way for students to demonstrate their dedication and interest in learning. Good students go to their professor’s office during posted office hours or make an appointment if necessary. While instructors can be very busy, they are usually happy to offer guidance to students during office hours; after all, availability outside the classroom is a part of their job. Attending office hours can also help good students become memorable and stand out from the rest, particularly in lectures with hundreds enrolled. Maintaining positive, professional relationships with professors is especially important for those students who hope to attend graduate school and will need letters of recommendation in the future.

Although good grades often accompany good students, grades are not the only way to indicate what it means to be a good student. The definition of a good student means demonstrating such traits as engaging with course material, participating in class, and creating a professional relationship with professors. While professors have different criteria for earning an A in their courses, most will agree on these characteristics for defining good students.

Sample Student Essay

In the following essay, the writer chose to define justice in a specific context: the prison system and mass incarceration. Notice how he begins the essay with a more general definition of justice and then moves into a detailed analysis of his chosen topic, using facts, statistics, and quotations to support his argument.

Darius Porter

English 1101

September 24, 2015

Mass Incarceration: The Real Trends of the United States Justice System

The favorite part of the national anthem by most people is “the land of the free,” but how much freedom do you really have in a country that has the highest incarceration rate in the world? Record levels of incarceration have proven that the U.S justice system is a failed system in need of serious reform. The justice system was designed to punish individuals equally for their crimes and then rehabilitate them back into society. However, today’s perception of the justice system is that it promotes mass incarceration which results in a billion dollar prison industry, unjust mandatory sentencing, and racial and low income targeting. Government officials’ desire for higher conviction rates have had a negative impact on their sense of morality, which has altered their idea of justice.

The definition of justice will differ from person to person, but no matter who is giving the definition, the word “equality” should not be left out. Justice is the golden rule – treat others how you would like to be treated. Justice is blind; it does not see age, race, or social classification. Justice should punish criminals, teach them a lesson, then rehabilitate them into society. It is the balance of fairness and righteousness, a scale that should not tip to the left or the right, a scale that has been broken by the United States of America.

America’s justice system has lost its deeply rooted values, which are, “to keep communities safe, to respect and restore victims, and to return offenders who leave prison to be self-sufficient and law-abiding” (DeRoche). The shifts behind the justice system began in the 1980’s when the U.S. was battling against a drug war. The methods the government used to overcome the drug war were higher conviction rates, mandatory minimum sentences, and mass incarceration. Although these were once solutions to a major problem, today the implementation of these policies has caused negative effects on both society and the justice system.

For a country with trillions of dollars of debt, does a billion dollar prison industry sound productive, especially when both crime rates and incarceration rates are increasing? “The United States incarcerates 2.3 million individuals – more people, both per capita and in absolute terms, than any other nation in the world including Russia, China and Iran,” (Shapiro) with a ratio of ,“1 in 100 residents [in prison] and… 1 in 31 citizens on parole or probation” (DeRoche). How do the aforementioned statistics relate to a billion prison dollar industry? Well, “government employment in criminal justice has grown by 1 million employees since 1980” (Alexander qtd. in DeRoche). That’s an extensive increase in capital, funds that will be deducted from hard earned tax payer dollars. Another costly fact is, “prosecutors and police budgets are rewarded for convictions, and they are not held to account for their contribution to spending in prisons” (DeRoche). So far, our price tag is in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but this only amounts to a minor chunk of the billions that are poured into the prison industry yearly. Spending billions on a prison industry is an economic failure, “but mass incarceration provides a gigantic windfall for one special interest group: the private prison industry. As current incarceration levels harm the nation as a whole, for-profit prisons obtain taxpayer dollars in ever greater amounts,” (Shapiro). A huge amount of the billions that go into the prison industry goes into private prisons that the government pays to house inmates. While our local, state, and federal governments are in deep fiscal deficits, according to Shapiro, private prison executives are enjoying yearly bonuses of over 3 million dollars each. Shapiro cites the Securities and Exchange Commission, the largest private prison company, which reports that: “The demand for our facilities and services could be adversely affected by … leniency in conviction or parole standards and sentencing practices...” As, we, citizens are concerned over prison spending cost and mass incarceration rates, private prison companies get to have their cake and eat it too.

United States mandatory sentencing laws are one of the leading contributors to the billion dollar prison industry and private prison executives even admit it, “[private prison companies] profits depend on locking up more people,” (Shapiro); on the other hand, mandatory sentencing laws pose a prejudice upon the accused. To give someone a minimum sentence before they are found guilty of a crime is cruel, bias, and unfair. Essentially, it is the crime that you are guilty of that sentences you, not the judge. These minimum sentences do not take into account your character, criminal history, or your reason for committing the crime. It is a problem when first time offenders and repeat offenders receive the same sentence for a crime. Nevertheless, prisons are filled with first time, non-violent, offenders subject to unjust minimum sentences; which is another reason the United States is in need of serious criminal justice reform.

A drastic effect on society that results from mass incarceration and mandatory sentencing laws is the targeting of people based race and/or income level. As stated by DeRoche, “Our minority population is a reliably easier target for getting the numbers by which society measures law enforcement today,” so when police departments are pressured about high crime rates they pursue marijuana and petty crime convictions from minorities. In a further detailed study by Palta “Arrest rates for marijuana possession are four times as high for black Americans as for whites. [Although] black men spend an average of 20 percent longer behind bars in federal prisons than their white peers [even though they committed] the same crimes.” Although these are interesting facts, the more shocking facts estimate that, “1 in 3 black men will spend time behind bars during their lifetime, compared with 1 in 6 Latino men and 1 in 17 white men” (Palta). While racial targeting is a major contributor of the statistics mentioned, income levels are also a component.

The U.S. Constitution states that all citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law. The reality though, is that the accused lower income citizen will experience the justice system differently than the accused higher income citizen. A wealthier citizen will have more money to pay for a better, more experienced, lawyer which is important because your lawyer is the person who is most important in defending you against the charges brought against you. In many instances, a person of a lower income bracket cannot afford a lawyer, so they are forced to continue the judicial process with a public defender. A public defender is an appointed lawyer who is provided by, and works for, the courts. It is widely argued that public defenders are on the side of the prosecutors. Regardless of the fact, “Statistically, trolling for low-level law breakers has distracted the public from demanding justice where it is most needed,” (DeRoche). Your income will determine your experience in the justice system. People of a lower social classification may not get the protection under the law, which is needed so that the corruption will not continue.

When the crime rate and the incarceration rate are rising simultaneously, it is apparent that the United States criminal justice system is not very effective. In conclusion, DeRoche states, “Beyond the dollars spent, our failing criminal justice system contributes to our cultural decline.” A true justice system is one that lowers the crime rate by punishing criminals while promoting equality, fairness, and rehabilitation skills. Robbing individuals of their freedom through record levels of mass incarceration results in a billion dollar prison industry, mandatory sentencing, and racial and low income targeting. Higher convictions rates will not solve the problem, only criminal justice reform will.

External Links

In “ Pride ” ( https://tinyurl.com/ydamxkqo ), published by Outside Online , New Yorker writer Ian Frazier uses a mix of rhetorical devices to define the concept of pride.

In " I Want a Wife ", Judy Brady provides a humorous look at responsibilities and relationships.

Contributors and Attributions  

Adapted from  Successful College Composition (Crowther et al.) . Sourced from  LibreTexts , licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA  .

Adapted from  Let's Get Writing (Browning, DeVries, Boylan, Kurtz and Burton) . Sourced from  LibreTexts , licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA  .

• Have your assignments done by seasoned writers. 24/7
• Contact us:
• +1 (213) 221-0069
• [email protected]

How to write a good essay: A Comprehensive step-by-step Guide

Essay writing has become an important activity in all academic work today. Scholars can’t run away from the fact that good essays will impact their academic results. It is, therefore imperative that any student needs to be guided on how to write a good essay. And with a detailed step-by-step tutorial, any student will score an A in the essays he or she writes using this comprehensive guide.

This is a complete guide on how to write a good essay that scores an A on any topic. Learn 9 steps to essay writing and get free examples & outlines. Writing essays has never been an easy thing to do therefore you will appreciate learning how to write essays and perfect your writing skills. We offer essay help services but if you are writing it yourself, here is a comprehensive guide.

Easy navigation table

How to Write an Essay that Scores an A+

To write a good essay, you have to have a good topic for, research it well, create a thesis, detailing a good outline, starting with an introduction and following up with good body paragraphs to draft an essay. After that, conclude the essay and cite your sources as you polish it to a final draft. Here are the steps in brief

• Choose a good topic for your essay
• Do thorough research for the topic
• Formulate a strong thesis you will present
• Make a detailed outline for your essay
• Write an interesting introduction for your essay
• Write strong body paragraphs for a draft essay
• Make a summative conclusion
• Cite your sources and make a reference page
• Revise your rough draft to polish it to the final copy

Of those 9 steps. having a strong thesis is the most important. We asked our professional essay writers about the importance of a thesis statement and they confirmed it as the main thing in an essay. Let us now take a detailed and comprehensive look at each of these steps and how to complete them successfully.

1. Choose a Good Topic for your Essay

Instructors can give essay topics to their students or suggest that the students write essays on topics of their own. None of these situations is simple. Students have to choose from a vast of ideas when topics are theirs to choose and their ideas are locked and limited when instructors give specific topics to them.

How to choose a good topic for your essay

When students are choosing topics of their own, the following are required in order to select a good topic:

• Understand the parameters of the assignment given

This involves knowing what your instructor really wants. The structure of the assignment should guide you on choosing an interesting topic that fits the assignment well. If you don’t understand the parameters you can ask for help from people or the instructor to make sure you don’t write a topic that is not relating what is required.

• Brainstorm your topics of interest that fits the structure of the assignment

Most probably, instructors give a broad topic area that you are expected to chose one topic from. Access the different topics and settle with one topic that you are comfortable with.

Lookup for general information by searching on all available sources. Do not limit yourself when searching for information. The main sources of information are books, journals, and the internet. Gather all topics of study relating to the information and choose a suitable topic of your interest.

• Focus on one topic

Manage your topic well. Too narrow and too broad topics are difficult to research. Broad topics may lead to increased business and too narrow topics may lead to scarcity of information sources.

• Make a list of useful keywords.

Identify the words that are mainly used in your topic of study. Look for them in your information sources and write them down.

• Be Flexible with your topic

This means broadening your information when you have less and narrowing your information when you have excess. Flexibility is mostly determined by the length of the essay.

• Research more about your topic and formulate a title.

Find more information about the topic using keywords identified and come up with a suitable title for your essay.

2. Research the Essay topic Thoroughly

To research is to systematically investigate various topics of study in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Researching is a comprehensive process that requires the following steps for it to be successful:

• Going through the instructions given.

Make sure you are in line with the requirements the instructor has given in the instructions.

These instructions determine the freedom you will have concerning various topics when writing the essay.

When instructions are not clear liaise with the instructor to come up with a solution on the way forward.

• Brainstorm on topics of interest

When an instructor has given a wide and broad topic area, choose your best topic of interest from that category.

• Gather information about the topic

Use sources such as the internet, books, journals, and people to find information on the selected topic of interest. Collect as much relatable information to the topic selected as possible.

Determine the question that you are answering with your research

What issues of concern are under your topic? These issues raise questions that you will use your research to get answers. Identify the question.

• Find Information about your specific question and refine it

Gather information about the specific question and the number of results you get and the quality of the sources you obtained the information. After that, you need to refine your question based on found information. Adjust the question’s scope by looking at who, where and when.

• Find keywords from the topic to guide your research

Brainstorm a list of keywords that usually play part in the success of your research by helping you find initial resources.

• Categorize your information in groups and draft an outline.

Put information about similar categories together. After creating different categories create a rough outline of your essay.

• In case of holes in your research, find additional sources.

If after going through your research you realize that there are points that need further clarification or any point that may be omitted, find new sources that will help fill them.

3. Formulate a strong Thesis Statement for the essay

The third stage of writing a good essay is to formulate a strong and relevant thesis for your essay. A thesis is a position that or a claim that your essay seeks to make by directly answering a certain question. Basically, itis one sentence that contains the main idea of an essay by stating the main argument.

A thesis should clearly state the topic of your paper and comment about your position on what you argue in the essay. Most essay readers rely on thesis statements to get a clue or a guide of what the essay is all about.

At the same time, a thesis statement is important because they help you as the essay writer develop and organize arguments and test your ideas. Having a good thesis should present what you plan to argue and show how you plan to argue it. When developing a thesis, the following steps should be followed.

Steps and Tips of writing a thesis statement for your essay

• Analyze your primary sources.

Look for credible information before formulating a thesis. Access any contradictions of authors, ambiguity tension and controversy in the information you have before formulating the thesis. From the information gathered to come up with ideas about your thesis.

• List the ideas and arguments you will make

To make sure you don’t forget ideas you are obtaining from different types of sources, put them down for reference later.

• Draft the thesis statement

Access logically and clearly the ideas you have and start writing down the thesis. It’s advisable to begin your thesis as rough work because most thesis statements do not become perfect after the first attempt.

• Write your thesis in the introduction part

At the end of your introduction, include your thesis statement. This is where most readers can find it easily. The thesis statement plays an important role in influencing the reader and placing them where readers can easily locate them is a win situation for any essay writer.

• Know the arguments against your thesis

Once you have your thesis statement, you should think of any criticisms that it may face. This will help you argue your ideas in the right way as you continue writing your essay and also assist in refining your essay.

• Avoid vague or combative questions

Thesis statements should never be questions, combative, vague or written in a list. They should be arguable claims that should be specific and clear.

4. Make a detailed Outline for your essay

Outlines are writing plans that aid in organizing ideas and information when writing an essay. A good essay is defined by the quality of the outline because it guides the writer to understand the content they should place in the various essay sections. It is the part that gives the essay structure and gives you a skeleton to fill the essay with.

How to write a good outline for your essay

To make a good outline the following need to be done:

1. Research on the topic.

To write a good outline one should know the topic under study very well. Search for information on available materials and identify the keywords of the topic.

2. Know the objective of the essay.

What is the main thing required in your essay? This can either be a question or a thesis statement that will guide you through the essay for all discussions should be related to the objective of the essay. This makes sure that you don’t go out of topic.

3. List main research points.

A sketch of your paper is required on this stage. On the sketch write the ideas found through research on the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay. Brainstorm to add more points to each part.

4. Organize your ideas

This helps in polishing your outline by arranging your ideas in the order that will likely make sense. Put ideas that are similar together and summarise them to make sure that you don’t forget on what you want to talk about in each idea.

5. Revise your ideas

Go through your points and determine whether they fulfill the objective of your essay, which is genuine and relevant. Ideas that look similar can be combined to provide much more meaning. This process helps you have topics that will bring out the objective of the essay clearly.

All the irrelevant ideas and points found that do no help in disclosing the objective of the essay should be scrapped out. To organize your ideas well, consider using models of outlining an essay. A famous method is the Jane Schaffer essay method that helps organize your points and ideas logically in support of each other.

5. Write an interesting introduction for your essay

The introduction of an essay is important because its main aim is to grab the reader’s attention in order to make him or her continue reading. When writing the introduction, the essay writer should focus on points that will draw the reader’s attention. The focus should be on the following;

How to write an eye-catching essay introduction?

1. start with interesting facts and sentences.

Tell an interesting story. The story should be relevant to your essay topic and not too long that it will take much space. Consider stories that will entertain the most readers of your essay.

2. Be unique in your ideas

You can begin the essay with statements that one cannot connect the essay with. This will make the reader wonder, gain attention and will want to know how the statement will relate to the topic of the essay.

3. Write a humorously warm introduction

Consider writing an introduction that is not only funny to you but also to the readers of your essay. This makes sure that you don’t embarrass yourself to the readers or confuse them. Laughing is one of the best ways to calm a reader, attract them to your essay and prepare them for what is further written in the essay.

However, jokes are not applicable to all essays. Essays on topics such as hunger, homelessness, political issues, economic issues, diseases, and revolutions requite utmost seriousness for they are matters that may be negatively affecting the reader. For example, writing an introduction for IELTS essay should be much more formal.

4. Write an unusual introduction.

Surprise your reader by using an irregular approach in your essay introduction. Don’t use introductions that the readers could have suggested. Be unpredictable by using your creativity and imagination to write an interesting introduction.

KEY POINT: The introduction is the only attempt to impress the reader first and the writer should utilize it to the fullest. At the end of the introduction, write the thesis statements. For more information, read our guide on the 5 parts of an introduction paragraph , and learn more about each of them.

6. Write strong body paragraphs supporting your thesis

Body paragraphs are written between the introduction part and the conclusion part. They contain the main content of your essay and depend on the length required. The paragraphs number of words should not vary much from one paragraph to the other.

Paragraphs should have the following elements; a topic sentence that carries the content of the paragraph, examples which should provide a detailed explanation about the topic sentence, a clear structure, evidence supporting the topic sentence and a clear connection with the thesis.

How to write strong body paragraphs for your essay

1. prioritize your points.

In order to make a good impression, paragraphs with the strongest points and content should be prioritized and appear before paragraphs with shallow content. Each paragraph should represent one point at a time to avoid confusing your readers.

2. Write paragraphs with optimal length

Paragraphs should be 5 to 7 sentences long. Points in each paragraph need to be thoroughly explained. This cannot be possible with a few sentences. When the paragraphs are too long the reader I likely to get bored and lose interest.

3. Use transition sentences to connect paragraphs

Connect your main body paragraphs by providing a transition from one paragraph to another. For example, if one is writing an essay involving both the advantages and the disadvantages of a product, it is advisable to write the advantages first followed by disadvantages or vice versa.

4. Do not mix points up

Avoid mixing points and arguments. To create a logical flow of issues and arguments, only argue one point per paragraph. Points that are close should follow each other when paragraphed to keep the reader focused and avoid confusion.

5. Use a sub-conclusion paragraph

Sub-conclusion of paragraphs is optional in essay writing and is rarely used by scholars today. This is where one can provide a conclusion at the end of a paragraph concerning the point written in the paragraph.

This may offer contradictions when writing the essay because one paragraph may require a different conclusion and can eventually distract the reader. This makes the overall conclusion at the end of the essay more acceptable.

6. Use evidence to back your arguments

To back your arguments, use evidence from literature and other sources. Use quotes related to the essay you have written or reference one of your sources. This will help stress on your final point and confirm that all you have written is true.

7. Write relevant concluding sentences

At the end of every paragraph, it is good to write a sentence that sums up the main argument of the whole paragraph but also supports the points. The best way to write a concluding sentence for any paragraph is to restate the major point in the paragraph supporting it with reliable facts. After that, include a transition sentence that joins one paragraph to another.

7. Write a Good Conclusion

The conclusion step is the tail-end of the essay writing task. If you have reached here, you should part yourself in the back for a job well done. The conclusion is the part where you give a synthesis of what the reader has already read.

This is arguably the most important part of your essay because it is likely to stick into the reader’s memory. We asked 10 of our homework writing experts and they all stated that the conclusion is key to seal your targeted grade on your assignment. When writing a good conclusion, you should consider the following:

How to write a good conclusion for an essay

Use questions to create conclusive remarks. Asking questions may motivate readers to make readers provide their own research and think over your essay.

Give hints about developments of your topic using aspects that are interesting to the reader. This involves some further important information that your essay is related to, which is not under the topic given.

In addition, give an extremely thorough answer to the question within your conclusion. Hit the nail on the head by combining all the information on all the paragraphs and coming up with one common point that your conclusion will encompass.

Paraphrase your thesis statement or give the main idea of the first, second or third body paragraph as a conclusion for your essay. This will also help stress the essay points on the conclusion

The number of sentences or length of your conclusion depends on the length of the body paragraphs. The conclusion should not be bigger or smaller compared to the body paragraphs of your essay.

At the same time, an essay conclusion should end with something specific and unique as opposed to the introduction where general statements begin the essay.

Conclusions should not have the following; more data and facts that are not stated in the body paragraphs, new ideas, unnecessary details, changed essay tone as that used in your essay and any kind of an apology or limitation for not considering a certain fact in your essay.

8. Cite and Reference the Sources in your Essay

Citing involves the identification of the original sources of information and ideas in your essay in order to avoid plagiarism. It is important because it provides evidence for your arguments and helps people find more information on the cited sources. Citing also shows that you have researched and found out what experts have had to say about your topic and show that you understand writing ethics well.

Citations for the sources used in the essay should be done in the body paragraphs. After that, you should create a reference page at the end of your paper. One should cite quotes, information that is not common and formats. Citing varies depending on the writing style you are using.

How to cite your sources and make a references page 

Different disciplines have different approaches to writing academic papers. These approaches are the formatting styles and are supposed to be standardized and accepted by various research and educational institutions. There are no widely accepted formats because different institutions prefer different approaches. These approaches include:

How to Cite your essay in APA

The acronym APA was the short form of an organization, the American Psychological Association which created this format. Most essays that require this format are behavioral and social discipline essays. The 7th APA edition requires a title page and has a running head at the top of every page. The reference page includes the page that shows the information sources.

How to cite when Paraphrasing a source

When paraphrasing, reference the author, the year of publication and the page number.

For example: According to Jane (2000)

How to cite multiple authors

Each time you cite work done by two authors name both the authors in the signal phrase. Use an ampersand in parentheses and use the connector “and” in between the words. For example research by (Carlos and Isaac, 2004)

When three to five authors are involved, cite the source by listing all the authors in parentheses or signal phrases. For example: (Courtney, Ken, Janet, Albert & Japhet,1999)

When citing information, where six or more authors are involved, use the first author’s name followed et al. in parenthesis and signal language. For example: (Janice et al.,2006)

Citing two or more works by the same author in the same year requires one to use small letters of the alphabets in their order. For example: (Caleb, 2003a), (Caleb, 2003b)

If two or more different works appear in the same parenthesis cite them in the order they appear separated by a semicolon. For example: (Ferdinand, 2004; Mercy, 2005)

When a source you obtain information is cited in another source, name the original source in your signal phrase and include the secondary source in parenthesis. For example, Wycliffe argued that…. (as cited in Warren,1997, p. 108)

In works that the authors are unknown cite the work by its title, by underlining or italicizing the book titles and using quotation marks for titles of articles and magazines.

Use the words in the parenthesis or the title in your signal phrase with the abbreviation “n.d” (no date) when no author or date is indicated in the source. For example: (Wildlife, n.d)

When the source has no page numbers do the citing using the abbreviation “para” followed by the paragraph number. For example: (Rio,2010, para. 6)

How to cite and reference your essay in MLA

Modern Language Association style does not require a title page and is mainly used in humanity and liberal arts essays. Italics are allowed for emphasis. On the first page include your name, instructor’s name, the course, and date on the upper left Conner.

Double spacing is required when using the MLA 8th Edition . There is an order in MLA citing that one should apply based on the type of source information is obtained. The order is as follows:

• Last name of the author, First Name
• The title of the source
• The title of the container
• Other various contributors
• The version of the source
• The number of publication
• The publisher
• The publication date
• The location of the source.
• The accessed date. This is only applicable to online sources.

In MLA citations capitalize nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, adjectives and subordinating conjunctions in the titles of books, journals, and articles. Do not capitalize articles such as “a” or” an”, coordinating conjunctions such as “but” and “nor”, prepositions and “the” used in infinitives. MLA citations are done in the following ways:

How to cite authors in MLA

When citing sources of authors with the same last names use the first name initials. For example, (Mount 46) and (Mount 37)

When citing a text, use the name of the author and the page the information is found. For example: ‘Criminals can be identified by their physical appearance (Lombrosso 230).

When citing work done by different authors, not more than three, list the authors’ last names in the text. For example: “Crime causation can be explained” (Emille, Ceasare and Watson 45). When listing four authors and above use the abbreviation “et al.” and only one name of the authors for example: (Smith et al 5).

When you need to cite multiple works by the same author include the title of the source you have obtained the information to make it different from the other. Titles of articles should be quoted and those of books should be italicized.

For example, Garry argued that glaring at computers are dangerous to our eyes (“Effects of Computers” 37), though he suggested several methods of preventing the damage (“Control Measures” 48)

If you need to cite multiple sources in the same parenthetical reference, use a semi-colon to separate the citations. For example: (Mark 4; Craig 7)

How to make a reference page for your essay

1. how to make a reference page in apa.

A reference page is a page that has all the list of sources you used in your essay. References are also arranged in order of the alphabet appearing in the last name of the author.

At the end of the paper move to a clean page and type References at the top. Leave some margins as in the rest of your essay by double-spacing the whole page. Alphabetize the references and indent line of each reference. Remember all references must be from the work cited in your essay.

2. How to make a Works Cited page in MLA

In this format, it is mostly referred to as a Works Cited page. All sources sited here must be the same as those in your essay.

On a clean page at the end of your essay begin the Works Cited page with the title Works Cited at the center of your page. Do not skip places within the entry and create a 0.5 inches ident between the second and subsequent lines.

List the page numbers of the sources you obtained information and type the online database in italics for online sources. Each word of the titles of books and articles need to be in uppercase except prepositions and conjunctions and use quotations in titles of short works and italics in titles of broad works.

Other referencing styles to format your essay

There are other styles used to format and cite sources for your essay. The one you apply depends on the instructions given by your instructor and the subject of the essay. For instance, ASA is used by sociologists, while APA by psychologists.

Another unique one is the Chicago format, also known as Turabian. It is mainly used by Americans to format essays on different disciplines. Reference is done using footnotes and headnotes and the use of bibliography pages. This formatting style is therefore preferable for papers that mostly concentrate and focus on the source of origin.

9. Revise and Polish your essay into a Final Draft

Before submitting your essay, you must go through it again and again and edit places where mistakes could be.

Before handing in your essay you need to ask yourself a number of questions to interrogate the quality of your current draft.

Such questions include;

• Has my essay responded to the question?
• Did I follow the essay’s guidelines?
• Is my essay explaining the thesis?
• Am I within the submission deadline?
• What grade can my essay score as it is?
• Where can I improve in the current draft essay?

How to Polish your Draft into a Final Comprehensive Essay

Confirm that you followed the instructions and guidelines.

These guidelines include following the format the instructor specified, the word limit that was provided, reading materials that were provided, referencing the essay correctly and meeting all the requirements needed.

2. Check is the structure of your essay is perfect

These include assessing the introduction and conclusion and knowing if they talk about what was entailed, accessing the thesis statement in your introduction, checking if the topic sentences in paragraphs are clear, and checking whether the ideas in paragraphs link with each other from the previous to the next.

3. Proofread the language to ensure it is correct

This includes determining whether you have used formal language, reading through the sentences and determining whether they make sense.

Also, be keen to ensure that you check the spelling of the words and the correct use of conjunctions and abbreviations.

4. Review the structure of your paragraphs

This involves checking whether sentences in paragraphs relate to the title of the essay, whether the topic sentence determines the content of the paragraph and if each paragraph in your essay develops only one idea.

5. Read the essay aloud to ensure the sentences are correct

Proofread again by reading the essay aloud. This involves checking whether the sentences express themselves clearly grammatically and if they are complete. This step will tell you whether the length of the sentences does not vary too much and whether the punctuation of the sentence and use of articles is correct.

6. Format your paper

You can also make your final draft more perfect by doing the following:

• Numbering the pages in your essay.
• Attaching the cover sheet requested with correct information.
• Formatting your essay where necessary.

12 common Types of Essays that you may encounter

There are different types of essays. Some essays may require different approaches than others.

1. Narrative essays

These are essays that tell stories about events that have occurred in one’s personal life experiences. The writers are free to express a personal feeling of things that affected them.

Examples of such topics include;

• Why I have decided to quit alcohol.
• Narrate how you decided to pursue the career you have
• Why schools have been forced to close early.

It is like writing a story; the paper is organized according to the sequence of events or chronology. The primary objective of this type of essay is to ascertain your story-telling ability. 

2. Descriptive Essays

As the name suggests, these essays describe details of the topic given. You can describe the smell, looks or working aspects of the object under study. Examples of descriptive essay topics for your essay include;

• My troubling school life.
• Describe your childhood diary.
• My high school experience.

3. Definition essays

These essays main goal is to define subjects and review their origins. They aim at providing a more extensive definition than what is provided in dictionaries. Examples of definition essays may include;

• Define the term “judicial precedence.”
• Describe and discuss the term “ethnocentrism.”
• Define the term “forensic criminology.”

4. Analytical essays

As the name suggests these essays requires logical reasoning and structure to analyze the behaviors, tendency, events, people, among other examples. Below are a few examples of analytical essay topics.

• Why do universities have security check-ups at the entrance gates?
• Explain why most teenage boys get violent?
• Why do university students fail their main exams?

Sometimes, this type of essay needs you to focus on the methodology, conclusions or findings of previous researchers. You should conclude your research by summarizing the results and recommending a framework for use in further studies on the issue.

5. Cause and effect essays

These are essays that explain how a certain problem occurred and the consequences of the occurrence. The essay writer investigates the cause and shows the effects of the problem. Examples of common topics for Cause and effect essays include;

• What are the main causes of cholera?
• Did post-election violence sabotage the Kenyan economy?
• How do drugs affect the mental stability of an addict?

6. Process essays

These essays provide instructions on how something is done. One is required to perform the process for easier identification of the process. Example of topics fit for process essays can be as below;

• How to control your ego?
• Ways of solving your anti-social problem?
• How to take care of the environment?

7. Advantages and disadvantages essays

These are essays that show both the pros and cons of a given topic. The opposite opinions make sure that the writer doesn’t defend any side. Foe example;

• Pros and cons, of course, outlines in university studies.
• Advantages and disadvantages of being a die-hard football fan.
• Pros and cons of critical thinking before decision making.

8. Classification essays

These are essays that require the writer to put together ideas, objects, and other things into particular groups. examples of such essays are;

• Five types of crime
• Seven types of police forces.
• Types of anti-social behavior.

9. Argumentative essays

These are essays that persuade the readers to side with the writer’s viewpoint. One is supposed to use proved facts and correct illustrations in order to manipulate the reader.

Here you required to present both sides of a controversial issue objectively and factually. The examiner expects you to present valid arguments on each side without bias. You must include the arguments for and against each case. 

10. Critical essays

These essays provide the reader with weak and strong characteristics of the subject for them to determine the good and bad of the subject. Examples include;

• Access separation of powers in the building bridges initiative.
• What role does humor play in the novel “Don Quixote.”
• Access the theme of mystery in the movie “Manifest”

11. Compare and contrast essays

These are essays that require the writer to show the similarities and differences of two tendencies, devices, organs, etc. Below are examples of compare and contrast essays;

• Literature vs Real life happenings
• Waterborne diseases vs Airborne diseases.
• College students’ performances vs University students’ performances.

12. Persuasive essays

These are essays whose main aim is to change the thinking and view of the reader completely. It should be influential and deal with topics that are relevant today. Some examples include;

• Are football video games good for young boys?
• Are beauty contest and modeling practices more important to children than they are to adults
• Does marrying an older wife affect one’s marriage eventually?

13. Expository essays

These essays are aimed at estimating the subject of study in your own study view. Here are some examples of expository essays;

• Explain how lecturers influence student grades.
• Explain how fear affects one’s self-confidence
• What are the symptoms of mental illness?

Check our guide to writing a good TOK essay and learn more of another type.

Other Types of Essays

We have written a detailed guides on how to write other types of essays whose format may not necesarilly follow the flow we have taught in this comprehensive guide. This guide mostly applies for the types of essays discussed in the columns above. However, read our lessons how how to write the following types of essays.

• A guide how to write a Theory Of Knowledge (TOK) essays
• Detailed steps how to write an opinion essay
• Read more on writing a good issue paper or essay .

What is a Comprehensive Essay

A comprehensive essay is one that exhaustively discusses an issue or a topic to a deeper extent so as to prove the thesis that a writer wants to put across. It is an essay whose content explains the issue in its entirety, thereby leaving no doubt of unresolved facts. This is achieved through extensive research on an issue or a topic. After reading it, the audience will understand everything the author was discussing and agree with him or her.

A comprehensive essay has a good introduction that opens the issue being discussed in detail. That sets a place for a good thesis that is given in the last sentence of the introduction paragraph. This is followed by well researched paragraphs that deeply explain the issue to support the thesis. The conclusion paragraph of a comprehensive essay summarizes all the points and gives conclusive support to the thesis.

Common mistakes students make in Essay Writing and how to Solve them

The readers can judge the writing skills of a writer after reading an essay. To write good essays writers must avoid several mistakes when writing essays. These mistakes are:

1. Lack of concentration.

This occurs when the writer is not focused on the essay and mixes thoughts.

For an essay to be good one must be able to organize thoughts and be logical in arguments.

2. Omitting the thesis statement

If your essay doesn’t have its foundation in the introduction paragraph, then it loses the structure. The thesis statement is the origin of your writing and it makes your essay logical.

3. Writing unsupported ideas

Your readers may judge you as thoughtless and unreliable if your ideas are unsupported by the use of facts, examples and available statistics

4. Punctuation mistakes

The writer should take note of using punctuation marks correctly because they play a part in making the reader understand the meaning of your essay. Use commas, colons, semi-colons question marks and full stops correctly.

5. Misuse of words

Writers should be careful with words that have the same pronunciations and different meanings for they may distort the meaning you want to put across. Some examples of these words are “hit and heat” or “had and heard.

How to find Credible Sources for your Essay

It is very important that you use credible and authoritative sources when writing your essay. If you don’t and use weak ones, your essay will not be authoritative. In fact, readers will demean your work if you use dubious sources to obtain the information you will write in your essay. To determine the credibility of sources , you need to ask whether some kind of information is reliable, at least several sources must have talked about it.

1. Use the Internet

The internet today is the main source of information and sometimes it’s hard to differentiate credible sources with mediocre sources. When obtaining data from the internet consider the trustworthiness of the domain. .edu domain is used by education institutions and information obtained here is most reliable.

2. Follow credible domains

In addition, .org is mostly used by non-profits organizations and is reliable for they are not concerned with cheating or tricking you. .gov is used by governmental institutions and information is mostly credible but can be biased considering the political views of the different institutions.

3. Be Cautious with commercial websites

Be careful when using online sources from a .com domain. They are mostly used by commercial institutions and one must be careful when obtaining information from them because they may contain hidden content and are not careful about data provided. Learn if your source is credible from a guide by the University of Maryland.

4. Use Libraries and Journals

Other credible sources of information include online news agencies and newspapers that are well known, scientific journals, public libraries, online encyclopedias, non-fictional books, and academic libraries. Writers should avoid sources such as Wikipedia, personal blogs, word of mouth, fiction books and glossy magazines. You can also go old school and look for books in your library.

Get a Brilliant Essay today!

Let our essay writing experts help you get that A in your next essay. Place your order today, and you will enjoy the benefits.

Brief Summary of this Guide on writing Essays

To help you know how to write essays that improve your GPA, we have put a comprehensive step-by-step guide for you on any subject or topic. The guide gives you examples and free outlines on how to organize and write your essay. However, if you like guidance from our essay writing experts , feel free to ask us and we will respond and guide your essay homework.

• How to choose a good essay topic
• Making good research for a topic for an essay
• How to write a strong thesis
• How to make an outline for your essay
• Writing a good introduction for an essay
• How to write strong body paragraphs?
• How to write a good conclusion?
• Citing sources and how to make a reference page?
• How to polish the final and review key points?
• Types of essays and common examples of each
• Common mistakes in essay writing
• Credible sources for your essay

Alternatively, you can watch how to write a good essay below,

Identification: Know the following terms and names. Be able to give a correct definition or identification, one or two sentences long.

·         these names: Noah Webster, John Trevisa, Ranulph Higden, Samuel Johnson, Robert Lowth, William Bullokar, William Caxton, the Venerable Bede, Alfred the Great, William I, James A. H. Murray

·           langue and parole

·         pidgin and creole

·         dialect

·         phonetics, phoneme, allophone

·         morpheme, grapheme, allograph

·         IPA

·         minimal pair

·         inkhorn terms

·           great vowel shift

Comprehensive Essay : You will be asked to write on one of the following. Your essay should have a specific thesis that you state clearly at the beginning of the essay--do not bother with a broad or fancy introduction, but get straight to the point--and an organized structure in which you present ample detail to support your thesis and to show how much you have learned in lecture and in the assigned readings, citing readings from your Source Book wherever pertinent. Also, be sure that your essay is “comprehensive” by using examples and/or information from the eras Old, Middle, and Modern or Present Day English. You may bring in a 3x5 notecard with your thesis and notes about details you wish to include.

·         How have ideas of national and/or ethnic identity been integral to ideas about how English has developed or should develop? Discuss how specific texts we have read this term address this question, considering them in the context of political and social developments.

·         How have wars and other events and conditions of political and social hegemony affected the history of English?

·         Just the other day I caught a glimpse of a game show on TV that included a spelling bee. Historically, what has made English spelling so challenging that a contest in spelling can be used to entertain adults? What social, political, and technological factors have affected spelling during the history of English and affect our attitudes toward spelling today?

·         Teachers from elementary school through the university instruct students in what has been called "standard" English. How has this concept developed and shifted over time? What factors have affected and effected these developments and changes? Provide specific examples of standard and/or non-standard English as these help you express your ideas, refer to specific assigned readings that address this issue and to political and social factors significant to these developments and changes.

·         Was Margaret Paston the “writer” of her letter to her husband John? How has the definition of “author” and/or “writer” changed from the early Middle Ages to today? What factors are necessary to consider in determining the answer to whether someone is an “author” or a “writer” and how have these factors shifted over time?

·         The history of the dictionary begins with manuscript glosses, continues through the Hepster's Dictionary and even The Smiley Dictionary (see http://www.smileydictionary.com/ ).   What are the purposes of a dictionary? How have they developed over time? What social, political, and technological factors have played a role in these developments?

Definition Essay

Definition Essay - Writing Guide, Examples and Tips

14 min read

Published on: Oct 9, 2020

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

People also read

Interesting Definition Essay Topics for Students

Definition Essay Outline - Format & Guide

Share this article

Many students struggle with writing definition essays due to a lack of clarity and precision in their explanations.

This obstructs them from effectively conveying the essence of the terms or concepts they are tasked with defining. Consequently, the essays may lack coherence, leaving readers confused and preventing them from grasping the intended meaning.

But don’t worry!

In this guide, we will delve into effective techniques and step-by-step approaches to help students craft an engaging definition essay.

Continue reading to learn the correct formation of a definition essay. 

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

On This Page On This Page -->

What is a Definition Essay?

Just as the name suggests, a definition essay defines and explains a term or a concept. Unlike a narrative essay, the purpose of writing this essay is only to inform the readers.

Writing this essay type can be deceivingly tricky. Some terms, concepts, and objects have concrete definitions when explained. In contrast others are solely based on the writer’s understanding and point of view.

A definition essay requires a writer to use different approaches when discussing a term. These approaches are the following:

• Denotation - It is when you provide a literal or academic definition of the term.
• Connotation - It is when the writer provides an implied meaning or definition of the term.
• Enumeration - For this approach, a list is employed to define a term or a concept.
• Analogy - It is a technique in which something is defined by implementing a comparison.
• Negation - It is when you define a term by stating what it is not.

A single or combination of approaches can be used in the essay. 

Definition Essay Types

There are several types of definition essays that you may be asked to write, depending on the purpose and scope of the assignment. 

In this section, we will discuss some of the most common types of definition essays.

Descriptive Definition Essay 

This type of essay provides a detailed description of a term or concept, emphasizing its key features and characteristics. 

The goal of a descriptive definition essay is to help readers understand the term or concept in a more profound way.

Stipulative Definition Essay 

In a stipulative definition essay, the writer provides a unique definition of a term or concept. This type of essay is often used in academic settings to define a term in a particular field of study. 

The goal of a stipulative definition essay is to provide a precise and clear definition that is specific to the context of the essay.

Analytical Definition Essay 

This compare and contrast essay type involves analyzing a term or concept in-depth. Breaking it down into its component parts, and examining how they relate to each other. 

The goal of an analytical definition essay is to provide a more nuanced and detailed understanding of the term or concept being discussed.

Persuasive Definition Essay 

A persuasive definition essay is an argumentative essay that aims to persuade readers to accept a particular definition of a term or concept.

The writer presents their argument for the definition and uses evidence and examples to support their position.

Explanatory Definition Essay 

An explanatory definition essay is a type of expository essay . It aims to explain a complex term or concept in a way that is easy to understand for the reader. 

The writer breaks down the term or concept into simpler parts and provides examples and analogies to help readers understand it better.

Extended Definition Essay 

An extended definition essay goes beyond the definition of a word or concept and provides a more in-depth analysis and explanation. 

The goal of an extended definition essay is to provide a comprehensive understanding of a term, concept, or idea. This includes its history, origins, and cultural significance. 

How to Write a Definition Essay?

Writing a definition essay is simple if you know the correct procedure. This essay, like all the other formal pieces of documents, requires substantial planning and effective execution.

The following are the steps involved in writing a definition essay effectively:

Instead of choosing a term that has a concrete definition available, choose a word that is complicated . Complex expressions have abstract concepts that require a writer to explore deeper. Moreover, make sure that different people perceive the term selected differently. 

Once you have a word to draft your definition essay for, read the dictionary. These academic definitions are important as you can use them to compare your understanding with the official concept.

Drafting a definition essay is about stating the dictionary meaning and your explanation of the concept. So the writer needs to have some information about the term.

In addition to this, when exploring the term, make sure to check the term’s origin. The history of the word can make you discuss it in a better way.

Coming up with an exciting title for your essay is important. The essay topic will be the first thing that your readers will witness, so it should be catchy.

Creatively draft an essay topic that reflects meaning. In addition to this, the usage of the term in the title should be correctly done. The readers should get an idea of what the essay is about and what to expect from the document.

Now that you have a topic in hand, it is time to gather some relevant information. A definition essay is more than a mere explanation of the term. It represents the writer’s perception of the chosen term and the topic.

So having only personal opinions will not be enough to defend your point. Deeply research and gather information by consulting credible sources.

The gathered information needs to be organized to be understandable. The raw data needs to be arranged to give a structure to the content.

Here's a generic outline for a definition essay:

Are you searching for an in-depth guide on crafting a well-structured definition essay?Check out this definition essay outline blog!

6. Write the First Draft

Drafting each section correctly is a daunting task. Understanding what or what not to include in these sections requires a writer to choose wisely.

The start of your essay matters a lot. If it is on point and attractive, the readers will want to read the text. As the first part of the essay is the introduction , it is considered the first impression of your essay.

To write your definition essay introduction effectively, include the following information:

• Start your essay with a catchy hook statement that is related to the topic and the term chosen.
• State the generally known definition of the term. If the word chosen has multiple interpretations, select the most common one.
• Provide background information precisely. Determine the origin of the term and other relevant information.
• Shed light on the other unconventional concepts and definitions related to the term.
• Decide on the side or stance you want to pick in your essay and develop a thesis statement .

After briefly introducing the topic, fully explain the concept in the body section . Provide all the details and evidence that will support the thesis statement. To draft this section professionally, add the following information:

• A detailed explanation of the history of the term.
• Analysis of the dictionary meaning and usage of the term.
• A comparison and reflection of personal understanding and the researched data on the concept.

Once all the details are shared, give closure to your discussion. The last paragraph of the definition essay is the conclusion . The writer provides insight into the topic as a conclusion.

The concluding paragraphs include the following material:

• Summary of the important points.
• Restated thesis statement.
• A final verdict on the topic.

7. Proofread and Edit

Although the writing process ends with the concluding paragraph, there is an additional step. It is important to proofread the essay once you are done writing. Proofread and revise your document a couple of times to make sure everything is perfect.

Before submitting your assignment, make edits, and fix all mistakes and errors.

If you want to learn more about how to write a definition essay, here is a video guide for you!

Definition Essay Structure 

The structure of a definition essay is similar to that of any other academic essay. It should consist of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 

However, the focus of a definition essay is on defining and explaining a particular term or concept. 

In this section, we will discuss the structure of a definition essay in detail.

Introduction 

Get the idea of writing an introduction for a definition essay with this example:

Body Paragraphs

Here is an example of how to craft your definition essay body paragraph:

Types of the Term/Concept 

If applicable, the writer may want to include a section that discusses the different types or categories of the term or concept being defined. 

This section should explain the similarities and differences between the types, using examples and anecdotes to illustrate the points.

Examples of the Term/Concept in Action 

The writer should also include real-life examples of the term or concept being defined in action. 

This will help the reader better understand the term or concept in context and how it is used in everyday life.

Conclusion 

This example will help you writing a conclusion fo you essay:

Definition Essay Examples

It is important to go through some examples and samples before writing an essay. This is to understand the writing process and structure of the assigned task well.

Following are some examples of definition essays to give our students a better idea of the concept. 

Understanding the Definition Essay

Definition Essay Example

Definition Essay About Friendship

Definition Essay About Love

Family Definition Essay

Success Definition Essay

Beauty Definition Essay

Definition Essay Topics

Selecting the right topic is challenging for other essay types. However, picking a suitable theme for a definition essay is equally tricky yet important. Pick an interesting subject to ensure maximum readership.

If you are facing writer’s block, here is a list of some great definition essay topics for your help. Choose from the list below and draft a compelling essay.

• Authenticity
• Sustainability
• Mindfulness

Here are some more extended definition essay topics:

• Social media addiction
• Ethical implications of gene editing
• Personalized learning in the digital age
• Ecosystem services
• Cultural assimilation versus cultural preservation
• Sustainable fashion
• Gender equality in the workplace
• Financial literacy and its impact on personal finance
• Ethical considerations in artificial intelligence
• Welfare state and social safety nets

Need more topics? Check out this definition essay topics blog!

Definition Essay Writing Tips

Knowing the correct writing procedure is not enough if you are not aware of the essay’s small technicalities. To help students write a definition essay effortlessly, expert writers of CollegeEssay.org have gathered some simple tips.

These easy tips will make your assignment writing phase easy.

• Choose an exciting yet informative topic for your essay.
• When selecting the word, concept, or term for your essay, make sure you have the knowledge.
• When consulting a dictionary for the definition, provide proper referencing as there are many choices available.
• To make the essay informative and credible, always provide the origin and history of the term.
• Highlight different meanings and interpretations of the term.
• Discuss the transitions and evolution in the meaning of the term in any.
• Provide your perspective and point of view on the chosen term.

Following these tips will guarantee you better grades in your academics.

By following the step-by-step approach explained in this guide, you will acquire the skills to craft an outstanding essay. 

Struggling with the thought, " write my college essay for m e"? Look no further.

Our dedicated definition essay writing service is here to craft the perfect essay that meets your academic needs.

For an extra edge, explore our AI essay writer , a tool designed to refine your essays to perfection. 

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Legal & Policies

• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Terms of Use
• Refunds & Cancellations
• Our Writers
• Success Stories
• Our Guarantees
• Affiliate Program
• Referral Program
• AI Essay Writer

Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Final Exams: Understand Comprehensive vs Cumulative

Updated: July 15, 2022

Published: April 21, 2020

As if taking a test wasn’t already stressful and confusing enough, you’re then faced with understanding the differences between all these complex terms and types of tests, such as comprehensive vs cumulative. Don’t worry, though! Here’s everything you need to know about both of these testing methods, and how to take them successfully, allowing you to finish graduate school with flying colors.

What Is A Comprehensive Exam?

A comprehensive exam is a test that is given to graduate students towards the end of their coursework, with the goal of determining how ready a student is for the next step of their academic career, that being their dissertation. Such an exam can be given in a variety of forms, such as oral or written.

What Is A Cumulative Exam?

Cumulative exams test students on everything that they’ve learned throughout the semester or year. The main focus of this type of test is to see that students have retained and understood information they have learned from their courses.

What Are The Main Differences?

Comprehensive vs. cumulative — what’s the difference? While these two exams may sound very similar, they are still two very different exams .

Comprehensive exams are focused on ensuring that a student is competent to begin their dissertation, and that they are familiar with the necessary research methods.

Cumulative exams, however, test our knowledge based on what was taught in class throughout the year, with more of a focus on academic performance.

Photo by  Jeswin Thomas  from  Pexels

Who takes these tests.

It is usually only graduate students (either master’s or doctorate) that take comprehensive exams, since the basis of this test is to ensure they are ready for their dissertation.

Cumulative tests are generally taken by any student who has recently completed a course and needs to prove their knowledge by successfully passing the exam.

So when comparing comprehensive vs. cumulative exams, it’s not at all a competition as they are simply made for different types of students.

How To Succeed In Your Comprehensive Exams

If you’re a graduate student and are about to start preparing for your comprehensive exams, then you’ll surely appreciate these tips on how to succeed on these tests.

1. Get An Early Start

Starting early is the key to success, and especially so when it comes to comprehensive exams, since they require such a great deal of time invested.

2. Manage Your Time

Set yourself a schedule and a timeline that you’re going to commit to sticking to. Set a date that you’re going to start and set time blocks that you’re going to spend preparing. That way, you can avoid procrastination and stressing out at the last minute. You’ve already come so far, so making some sacrifices is surely worth it.

3. Reading Is Your Best Friend

Read, read, read, and read some more! Reading is your best friend when it comes to comprehensive exams, and you can really never have too much information about your topic of study or how research should be properly conducted.

4. Ask Others

Take advantage of those around you ! Whether it be fellow students that already prepared for the exam or professors in your field, ask around and see who is willing to give you some handy tips for your big test.

5. Get To Know Yourself

Every student is different and there is no perfect equation for success. That’s why it’s important that you get to know yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses. That way, you can know where you need to fill in the gaps and focus more time in.

6. Start With The Answers You Know

Start with what you know, show yourself how well prepared you are, give yourself that confidence booster, and don’t stress about the more complicated questions until they are the only questions left. Then you’ll have all the leftover time to really think through these tougher questions.

7. Make A Package

Prepare yourself a package with all of your notes, information, documents, and anything that might be relevant for your comprehensive exam. That way, if you’re asked a question, you can quickly find the answers you need and have more time to put together the words to best express yourself.

8. Review, Review

Practice really does make perfect. So the more you review your information, relevant theories, and concepts, the more confident and prepared you are bound to be for your comprehensive exam.

9. Roleplay

Pretend that you’re on the committee giving you the comprehensive exam. Think about what kinds of questions they would ask you based on what you’re presenting. Put yourself in their shoes, and it might help you prepare answers to questions you never thought about before.

10. Prepare Your Mind & Body

Our minds and bodies are connected. So you can do all the studying in the world, but if you haven’t taken care of your physical well-being, you might run the risk of hurting your success. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep despite the stress, that you’re drinking enough water, eating properly, and are doing things to help ease the anxiety such as yoga or meditation.

11. Polish Things Up

Even if you feel perfectly ready, be sure to polish things up before the big day. Go over everything, make sure all your notes and ideas are clear and that they make sense to you. Even use this list as a check list before you meet the committee.

How To Succeed In Your Cumulative Exams

The cumulative test meaning is a test that covers everything from the course. This generally means that there’s a lot of material to be retained, and that’s why you’ll need these nifty tips to ensure success.

1. Take Notes Early On

Don’t wait for the last minute or last class to start taking notes. That never ends well and often means you’ll miss out on important points. Start taking notes from the very first class, and that way you’ll have a summary of all the class information written in a way that you can understand. It also means that you can review these notes on a regular basis, and save yourself stress when exam time hits.

2. Turn Studying Into Routine

Make studying a part of your everyday life. Studying only a few days before your exam can cause burn out and isn’t known to be the most effective way to succeed. Even setting aside an hour or two every weekend can go a very long way.

3. Make The Most Of Second Chances

One of the best aspects of cumulative exams is that you’re given a second chance to retake the exam if your grade was unsatisfactory. Make the most of this opportunity by seeing where you had the most trouble, and invest your time in learning that material.

4. Mix Things Up

If you just sit in front of your computer studying all day, it’s likely to get boring and it will be hard to stay focused after a certain period of time. By diversifying your study methods, you can keep things interesting and can keep your motivation alive!

Photo by  Startup Stock Photos  from  Pexels

Which exam type is preferred.

While you might be trying to decide between comprehensive vs. cumulative, truth be told, you can’t actually choose. This also means that there isn’t really a preferred type of exam. They are both rigorous exams that require a great deal of preparation, and as to which one is ‘easier’ is also completely individual, depending on a student’s personal knowledge, experience, and taste.

What Are Some Benefits Of Both Types Of Exams?

Both types of tests, whether comprehensive or cumulative, have their advantages for students.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive exams help ensure that students will be well prepared for the next step of their education, and that they will have knowledge of how to research that will be beneficial for their futures as well. The idea behind this type of testing is that students won’t be thrown into the water before they are ready, which for many can be a complete game-changer.

This test is also beneficial in that it focuses less on academic performance and more on the student’s overall qualifications.

Cumulative exams, while different than comprehensive exams, still make sure that students are prepared for the next step, but in a different way.

This type of exam tests whether or not students have grasped the information and fundamental concepts of the course before giving them a passing grade . Such a style of test encourages students to learn the material from top to bottom, and to study throughout the year.

What Are Other Kinds Of Testing Methods in College?

On top of cumulative and comprehensive exams, there are also many other types of examinations that are commonly given.

1. Multiple Choice

Multiple choice formatted tests are very common, giving students a choice of 4 to 5 answers, often with the answers sounding the same in order to ensure that the students truly understood the concepts.

2. Essay Style

Essay style tests give students the opportunity to show their knowledge through writing about a certain topic, and is often not a right or wrong kind of test. This is most commonly given for topics that are more conceptual, rather than concrete.

3. Open Book

In many cases, students are allowed to bring their textbook to the exam! Many students are mistaken and think that it means they don’t need to study, while it’s really just used as a way to refer back to the main concepts. These concepts still need to be understood in order to properly apply them.

4. Demonstration Tests

In a demonstration test, students are required to verbally share their knowledge either through a presentation or one on one. Sometimes, such a test can even be physical, such as a piano test.

5. Placement Tests

Placement tests are tests that are given for the sole purpose of knowing a student’s level in order to place them in the appropriate class. The grade here generally has no real weight.

Are Students Motivated by Cumulative Exams?

For the most part, students don’t appreciate cumulative exams.

But based on findings, students don’t always actually prefer what’s best for them. A research project that divided students into high and low scoring groups, found that students performed better in the cumulative exams, despite what they claimed to prefer.

It was concluded by the researchers that cumulative exams do in fact motivate lower-scoring students to perform better, while for higher-scoring students, they already have the necessary motivation.

Sometimes, however, a lack of motivation isn’t what prevents students from succeeding, but rather their circumstances, such as a lack of support or time to study due to family or work commitments.

That’s why the University of the People offers tuition-free online degrees to provide equal opportunities to all. So put comprehensive vs. cumulative aside, because when it comes to motivation, the University of The People is here to help you realize your full potential.

Related Articles

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Types of Outlines and Samples

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Alphanumeric Outlines

This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order:

• Roman Numerals
• Capitalized Letters
• Arabic Numerals
• Lowercase Letters

If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses and then lowercase letters inside parentheses. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

The sample PDF in the Media Box above is an example of an outline that a student might create before writing an essay. In order to organize her thoughts and make sure that she has not forgotten any key points that she wants to address, she creates the outline as a framework for her essay.

What is the assignment?

Your instructor asks the class to write an expository (explanatory) essay on the typical steps a high school student would follow in order to apply to college.

What is the purpose of this essay?

To explain the process for applying to college

Who is the intended audience for this essay?

High school students intending to apply to college and their parents

What is the essay's thesis statement?

When applying to college, a student follows a certain process which includes choosing the right schools and preparing the application materials.

Full Sentence Outlines

The full sentence outline format is essentially the same as the Alphanumeric outline. The main difference (as the title suggests) is that full sentences are required at each level of the outline. This outline is most often used when preparing a traditional essay. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

Decimal Outlines

The decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline. The added benefit is a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.