If you have difficulty getting started on an essay, or if once started, you find yourself frustrated about what to say, how much detail to provide, how to structure your paragraphs with pertinent evidence and compelling arguments, or how to express your ideas boldly, then this book is for you. It takes you through each step of the process of writing, offering wisdom about the key purpose of each essay type (which is the basis upon which your work will be assessed) and suggesting ways to tackle each phase of writing. There are specific guidelines for many essays types: persuasive, reflective, descriptive, analytical, comparison-contrast, cause-effect, classification, research, explication, definition, précis, and even exam essays, with helpful examples of each. You will learn how to prepare by reading closely and yet efficiently, how to generate insights about your topic, how to put together a well-structured draft, with sufficient evidence to support your claims, and how to revise to express your ideas in concise, clear, and eloquent language. There is also a section on how to avoid plagiarism and cite your sources in MLA, APA, or CMS format. The book is structured to allow you to tackle the steps in any order you like, as needed. Let this guide help you find confidence and success on your next essay!

Carole L. Hamilton teaches English at Cary Academy, an innovative private school in North Carolina, USA. She is a recipient of the 2006 United States Department of Education Distinguished Teaching Award. Her students have won many awards for creative and analytical writing.

Introduction; 1. Reading and Researching; 2. Generating Ideas; 3. Preparing to Write; 4. Structuring the Essay; 5. Getting Out the First Draft; 6. Revising; 7. Documenting Sources; 8. Developing Style; 9. An Overview of the Writing Process; Afterword and Recommended Reading; Appendix: Sample Essays; Index