How to Write an Essay: Lesson Two

The second main focus students and professional writers use in demonstrating how to write an essay is the development of the body. This section is generally comprised of three main topics that support and elaborate the thesis, or main idea, stated in the introduction. In addition to the main topics, which are generally divided into paragraphs, the body contains all the supporting information. These are the details that address the essay’s main topics and strengthen the thesis.

Professional writers will use this section to engage the reader through the use of contradiction, argument, charts and graphs, humor, or clever twists. These and other techniques of how to write an essay demonstrate understanding and evaluative thinking for the subject matter. Other suggestions include the avoidance of repeat words and phrases, colloquialisms, gender bias pronouns, and hyperbole. All of these techniques will increase the quality of the essay and the student’s grade!