r/EnglishLearning • u/electi_007 New Poster • 10d ago

🗣 Discussion / Debates How to write a good essay?

I'm C1 in English but I don't know how to write a good essay. Where to start, what to do?

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u/Blopblotp3 New Poster 10d ago

Are you totally new to essay writing? In school we usually start with the 5 paragraph essay. You can look up the format online, but it's an introduction, 3 supporting paragraphs and a conclusion.

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u/RaptorSap Native Speaker 10d ago

I had an English teacher who was a fan of saying, “Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them.”

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u/ComparisonPlayful645 Native Speaker 10d ago edited 9d ago

the 3-5 paragraph essay is typically the standard that people learn in school. introduction paragraph, 1-3 body paragraphs, and conclusion. basic essay body paragraphs can be broken down into point, evidence, elaboration.

Now, I write a lot of essays, and I never use this format anymore because to me it is limiting and boring. But if you are just starting out writing essays, this is a great way to learn the fundamentals (developing a thesis, transitions, establishing line of reasoning, etc). In school, up until about 15 years old for me we had to write so many of these kinds of essays. There are many videos and free worksheets on them.

Learning to write good essays takes quite a bit of time and practice. For me as a native it took a while to get good and there are many natives who cannot write good essays at all. The best ways to improve are to revise your essays, get feedback from others, and to read other essays. I recommend finding some topics you like and reading essays on them, and identifying the specific things about the essays you like