essay course

Spring Sale: Get 15% off selected writing courses, only through April 19! Learn more »

Online Personal Essay Writing Courses

Enroll in a Writers.com online personal essay writing course, and explore this direct, flexible, and intimate form of literary expression.

You’ll get weekly instructor feedback on your work, ongoing collaboration with other personal essay writers, and a supportive course structure that will help you deepen and grow as an essayist.

Learn from published authors who have spent decades perfecting their craft, and are dedicated to supporting you and your work. Don’t miss out: find the online personal essay writing class for you today!

Upcoming Online Personal Essay Writing Courses

April courses, tiny and true: creating flash essays with mindfulness, with susan barr-toman.

How do you tell the full truth in under 1,000 words? Learn the art of flash essays and write nuggets of wisdom in this tiny essay class.

Creative Nonfiction , Personal Essay

From the Source: Journaling for Self-Knowledge and Creativity

With amy bonnaffons.

Journal to discover yourself, find a wellspring of creativity, and produce publication-ready pieces.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

The Lyric Essay: Invitation to Play

With elizabeth winder.

Create dynamic, genre-bending works of musical prose in this playful and exploratory lyric essay workshop. 

May Courses

Writing our grief: how to channel loss into creative expression, with rudri patel.

Writing about grief is a powerful healing tool. Turn pain into power in this personal essay course, with instructor Rudri Patel.

Creative Nonfiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Personal Essay

In Brief: Explorations in Short Story Forms

With sandra novack.

Explore the intricate world of short prose forms. Experiment with story forms from one-syllable micros to full-length short stories, and complete six new story drafts.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Personal Essay , Short Story

Toying with The Truth: A Generative Nonfiction Workshop

With shelby hinte.

Experiment with creative nonfiction forms and find the best way to tell your personal stories. Write a short piece each week, and choose one draft to polish. 

Creative Nonfiction , Memoir , Personal Essay

Six Flash Essays in Six Weeks

Tell the stories of your life in 1,000 words or less in this generative flash essays workshop. 

Telling the Stories Your Body Holds: Writing and Shaping Strong Personal Essays

With sarah herrington.

Where do essays come from? In this course, they come from the body. Learn how to start—and finish—powerful essays that begin inside the self.

Five Styles of the Personal Essay

With susan pohlman.

Craft powerful nonfiction essays! By exploring five exciting essay forms, you'll learn to bring the stories of your life alive on the page. 

It Starts with Play: Get (Back) into Writing

With janée baugher.

Harness the joy of creativity in this inspiration-focused class, where we'll uncover new ideas for writing projects and draft loads of new material. 

June Courses

Finding confidence in the braided essay: a craft and empowerment workshop for literary nonfiction, with margo steines.

Weaving your story with facts and research can help you craft a stronger essay. Tell your story with confidence in this empowering essay writing course.

Ordinary to Extraordinary: Turning Everyday Experiences into Poetry

With tina barry.

No experience is too small or mundane to serve as a foundation for extraordinary poetry and short fiction.

Creative Nonfiction , Personal Essay , Poetry

The Literary Essay

With jonathan j.g. mcclure.

Explore the literary essay - from the conventional to the experimental, the journalistic to essays in verse - while writing and workshopping your own.

Creative Nonfiction: The Art of Telling True Stories

With nicole hardy.

How do you tell your stories beautifully and authentically? Learn the fundamentals of creative nonfiction with Nicole Hardy.

Finding Inspiration in Dreams

Our dreams are fertile fields of inspiration, meaning, and creativity. Learn how to use your dreams as doorways to future writing.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Observing What’s Vivid in Prose and Poetry

With marc olmsted.

Learn how to spotlight beauty through fresh, vivid, and surprising language, in this four week mindfulness writing course.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Story Lab: The Story-Subplot Connection

With jeff lyons.

Subplots are key to maintaining narrative pace and tension in a story. Drive your story forward with this deep dive into the elements of good storytelling.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Stringing the Beads: Craft Your Personal Essay

With joanna penn cooper.

Harness the freedom of the personal essay in this 4 week course, where we'll shape our ideas, thoughts, and obsessions into compelling nonfiction pieces. 

July Courses

Beginner’s mind: a mindful approach to personal essays.

Write true and meaningful personal essays with the tools of mindfulness. We'll discover new insights in our work as we center ourselves, confront our inner critics, and write mindfully. 

Creative Nonfiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Personal Essay

Writing Autobiographical Fiction

With jack smith.

Learn to depart from "what really happened," and write compelling fiction from your own life experiences.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story

August Courses

Writing chronic illness.

Creative nonfiction offers a container for the sharing and exploration of illness. Tell the story of your body in this healing-oriented workshop.

Rapid Story Development: A Master Plan for Building Stories That Work

In this 10 week story writing class, Jeff Lyons pairs the Enneagram with story development techniques to revolutionize your writing practice.

Where the Diary Ends and the Essay Begins

Start a diary practice and turn it into a mode of writing personal essays in this generative journaling workshop. 

September Courses

A writerly life: develop a writing routine that works for you.

What does a writer's life look like? Build a productive writing habit in this course for writers of all backgrounds.

Creative Nonfiction and the Personal Essay

With gretchen clark.

Gretchen Clark pick axes her way into the volcanic marriage of real life and fiction. Weekly writing with incisive feedback.

Writing with Consistency and Courage

With tamara dean.

What makes a successful writer? It's not talent, craft, or even the right connections—it's consistency and courage.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

October Courses

Plumbing the past: turning life experience into poetry, flash and creative non-fiction.

Dig deep into personal ritual while studying narrative poets, short fiction and non-fiction authors, and food writers.

Creative Nonfiction , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Unscheduled Courses

These online writing classes don’t currently have a next session on our calendar, but will soon. If you see a course you’re interested in, use the “I’m Interested” button to let us know, and we’ll follow up with you when the course is on our calendar next.

Want to reach us or our instructors with questions about our online writing courses? Contact us at [email protected] , or visit the contact form .

(Live Workshop) Dream Writing

With zining mok.

How can writers harness the power of dreams? Let your slumber supercharge your creativity in this three hour dream writing workshop.

Creative Nonfiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Personal Essay

(Live Workshop) Get Clear on Your Story and Voice

With nadia colburn.

What is your story about? What is your voice? Whether you write poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, hone your writing in this 3 hour workshop.

(Live Workshop) How To Start A Blog, Grow An Audience & Make Money

With jessica festa.

When planned right, a blog allows you to share your passion and make money in the process. Learn how to start a blog in this one-day webinar.

Creative Nonfiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Live Workshop , Personal Essay

(Live Workshop) Writing Beginnings and Endings

With sarah aronson.

How do you write a story that's compelling to start and satisfying to finish? Sarah Aronson explains in this comprehensive one-day workshop.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story

*Private Class | Embodied Writing: Improve Your Writing with Full-Body Creativity

With rosemary tantra bensko.

Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.

*Private Class | Embodied Writing: Somatic Practices to Improve Your Work

*private class | finding confidence in the braided essay: a craft and empowerment workshop for literary nonfiction, *private class | food writing: meals and manuscripts, with jennifer billock.

Do you love cookbooks, cooking, or reading anything about food? This food writing course is for you. With award winning writer Jennifer Billock.

*Private Class | From Pitch to Publication: Writing Narrative Journalism

Explore literary journalism as a powerful means to share fascinating characters, stories, and perspectives. Learn all you need to start pitching, landing, and writing reported essays and features.

*Private Class | Telling the Stories Your Body Holds: Writing and Shaping Strong Personal Essays

*private class | the literary essay, *private class | using bullet journaling to achieve writing goals.

Looking to keep your writing goals organized? Make it happen in our bullet journaling course. Learn the art of the BuJo with Rudri Patel!

*Private Class | Write Your World: Express Your Creativity through Article Writing, Blogging, and Essays

Want to write your world, your way? Join us for this six-week program on article writing, blogging, and essays.

*Private Class | Writing Our Grief: How to Channel Loss into Creative Expression

*private class | writing with tarot.

Jump-start your creative juices, and explore a world of divination, symbolism, and imagery right at your fingertips: learn short story and novel writing through Tarot.

Ambient Grief: Writing the Alteration

With jacinda townsend.

How do we write about moments of painful transition, or grief that the world doesn't recognize as grief? Turn ambient pain into powerful words in this transformational personal essay workshop. 

Block Buster: Turbocharge Your Creativity with Breakneck Writing

Banish writer's block, unearth fresh ideas, and sharpen your storytelling ability with the practice of fast, timed writing.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Boost Your Imagination and Reap the Literary Rewards

With giulietta nardone.

It happens to all of us: life gets in the way and our creativity falters. Get back on track with this four-week creativity boosting class!

Branches of Creative Nonfiction

With tess fahlgren.

What are the different types of creative nonfiction? From the personal essay to the hermit crab, learn the ropes of CNF in this 8 week class.

But What Is Your Story Really About? Finding the Core of Your Short Memoir, Story, or Personal Essay

Take a four-week writing adventure deep into the core of your story, to find the true theme of your personal essay, short story, or short memoir.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Personal Essay , Short Story

Claiming Our Stories: Autobiography, Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction

With anya achtenberg.

Turn your experience into fiction, autobiography, or creative memoir. Bring forward stories with a powerful truth at their core. Instructor Anya Achtenberg.

Comics for People Who Can’t Draw!

With aubrey hirsch.

Can't draw? No problem! In this workshop, learn how to tell complete stories in publication-ready comics, no matter your artistic background. 

Lifestyle and Wellness , Personal Essay , Short Story

Craft Your Story: Short Fiction and Memoir Live Workshops

With margo perin.

Get tailored advice and inspiration for your fiction or nonfiction stories, in this weekly live workshop with award-winning instructor Margo Perin.

Creating Narrative in Comics

Art and storytelling have a rich relationship to one another. Explore that relationship in this class on writing narrative comics. Open to all artistic skill levels!

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Personal Essay , Short Story

Creating the Visual Journal

With lissa jensen.

Go beyond narrow definitions of “journaling" to include visual images and let writing give what is seen a new voice. Surprise yourself.

Deepening and Organizing Our Stories: Memoir/Creative Nonfiction and Autobiographical Fiction

For writers of memoir, creative nonfiction and fiction, with some experience. Particularly helpful to writers in the midst of a longer work.

Embodied Writing: Improve Your Writing with Full-Body Creativity

Embodied writing: somatic practices to improve your work, even smaller: adventures in short-form writing.

Course full. Contact us to join waitlist.

Less is more in this bite-sized writing class, where you'll learn how to tell complete stories under the tightest word counts.  

Fiction , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Find Your Brave: Publishing As An Act Of Courage

In this fun, transformative four-week program, get tips and techniques to bring out your courage to publish a story in print or online.

Food Writing: Food-Focused Memoir

The food we eat and enjoy tells volumes about our lives and experiences. Write it all down in this food memoir course, with Jennifer Billock.

Food Writing: Meals And Manuscripts

From memory: writing fiction or memoir from lived experience, with chin-sun lee.

In this class, you'll use a nearly infinite resource—your own memory—to craft compelling fiction or nonfiction stories.

From Pitch to Publication: Writing Narrative Journalism

Fundamentals of travel writing.

Take to the skies in this online travel writing course. We'll discuss the market, different types of travel writing, and pitching your piece!

Get It Done: Create the Scaffolding to Start (and Finish) a Writing Project

With eman quotah.

Get your butt in the chair, your mind roaming freely, and your creative juices flowing in this motivational, all-genres writing class.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Get Your Book Noticed: Writing Loglines That Sell

Your logline helps you query agents, market your book, and figure out the story itself. Hone your logline and set your book up for success in this Zoom workshop.

How to Pitch

With rachel krantz.

Learn the ins and outs of pitching your work to print and online publications from Rachel Krantz, a full-time writer and formerly the Senior Feature Editor at Bustle.

Creative Nonfiction , Live Workshop , Personal Essay

How To Start A Blog

Create your blog, brand it, create engaging content and successfully promote posts. Taught by journalist, writer and photographer Jessica Festa.

How To Turn Your Blog Into A Career

From branding to search engine optimization and advertising, this course puts bloggers on the path to earning an income through their blog.

I’ve Drunk Your Poisoned Nectar: Writing with the Goddess

With shankar narayan.

Dig deep into the rich mythology of South Asian goddesses to find new inspiration for your work in this generative, open-genre writing class.

In Bloom: Nature Writing Workshop

With dana de greff.

Only 3 seats left!

Want to write about nature like Robert Frost, Henry David Thoreau, or Annie Dillard? Join us for this six-week nature writing course.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

In Your Own Words: Transforming Life Into Memoir and Fiction

Learn how to draw inspiration and material from your life experiences or those of people you know, or want to know, to craft compelling, publishable memoirs, personal essays, autobiographical novels and short stories, and/or narrative poetry.

Let It Rip: The Art of Writing Fiery Prose

You'll write prose that gets folks so hot and bothered they won't be able to put it down, even if it isn't about sex.

Let’s Get Personal: The Art and Craft of the Personal Essay

Draw inspiration and material from your life experiences or “real life” people you know to craft compelling, publishable personal essays. With author Margo Perin.

Make Your Prose Sing

With leslie lawrence.

Enrich your prose with techniques from poetry. Bring paper and pens; leave with a better ear and lots of ideas about how to make your prose sing.

Next-Level Creative Nonfiction: Elevating Essays, Memoir, Travel Writing & Literary Journalism

With wendy call.

Elevate your memoir, travel writing, literary journalism, & lyric and personal essays.

No More Excuses! Four Weeks to Finish and Submit Your Personal Essay or Short Memoir

Join us for this insightful four-week “get the writing done” program, give and receive thoughtful comments from your fellow writers and the instructor, and enjoy heaps of encouragement and writing wisdom along the way.

Oral Storytelling Techniques for Writing Flash Nonfiction

With corey rosen.

In this class, you'll harness the power of oral storytelling to craft exceptional pieces of written nonfiction.

Overcome Writing Anxiety: Boost Your Storytelling Confidence in Four Short Weeks!

"Who are you to want to write?" Someone great, that's who! Politely ask Mr. or Ms. Fear to step aside while you sign up for this fun, freeing and functional adventure.

Scene Study: Strengthen Your Writing with Compelling Scenes

Great stories are constructed with great scenes. Immerse your reader in your stories by learning the ropes of scene development.

Secrets & Confessions: Writing Deeply Personal Nonfiction

In this fully anonymous class, we will write and share the secrets we hold closest to our chests, and turn those secrets into compelling creative nonfiction. 

Show and Tell: How to Write Captivating Memoir and Nonfiction

With brad wetzler.

Your true story of healing or transformation can captivate and empower your readers. Learn how to balance showing the vivid details of your own journey with telling the broader themes for readers to apply in their own lives.

Style and Sense: Bring Your Writing to Life

With john gottberg anderson.

How do we transport our readers to vivid worlds? In this course, learn the skills that evoke the senses and bring your writing to life.

Tales From The Memory Palace: 6 to 250 Word Memoirs

If you want to be an in demand storyteller in the digital age, you need to get in, get out and get going. In this "short" four-week memoir writing adventure, you'll learn to scope out, swoop down and snatch up important memories from your life then speed write them into miniature masterpieces.

Techwashed!: Writing with AI, Data, and Surveillance

Raise a mirror against society's relationship to technology in this two part workshop series where we will learn how to write about tech.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Telling Your Food Story

With hannah howard.

Let's write at the kitchen table together, as we explore using food as a lens to tell our stories.

The Chronology of Mind: From Journal to Poem or Prose

With barbara henning.

Gather material through writing and experimenting with journaling, researching and taking notes to develop into poems or prose works.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

The Heart Remembers: Writing About Loss

With charlotte maya.

How can we organize grief and loss into language? Honor your feelings and write moving essays in this heart-centered creative nonfiction class. 

The Lyric Essay

Explore non-traditional and imaginative ways to tell your stories with this ten-week writing course online. Creative nonfiction teacher Gretchen Clark provides detailed feedback on weekly writing assignments that emphasize creative freedom.

The Magic of Flash Nonfiction

Tell your stories quickly and stylishly in this short form creative nonfiction workshop, where you'll come away honing the magic of flash nonfiction.

The Soundtrack of Your Life: Writing About Music, Memories and Mix Tapes

In a song inspired class, write several essays about the music that has moved you through life: the emotions, the relationships, the events, the outcomes.

The Surprising Sentence: Honing Your Prose Style

With jessie roy.

Great sentences stack up into great stories. Learn how to hone your style and voice at the most basic unit of writing, the sentence, in this workshop.

Word Flashes & Eye Snapshots: Sketching Your Life Awake

For any writer wanting to root writing in vision and vision in the body: for poetry, fiction, essay, memoir & pleasure.

Write from the Untamed Mind: Find Your Voice

With susan vespoli.

Join Susan in two writing circles each week: intimate spaces for writers to free-write together, saying yes to whatever shows up, followed by group read-arounds. These writing sessions are spontaneous, intimate, freeing, and transformative.

Write into Mystery: Writing Flash Memoir on Wonder and the Unexplained

We often encounter wonder, mystery, and the unexplained in our everyday lives. Turn those experiences into flash essays in this community-centered course.

Write Your World: Express Your Creativity through Article Writing, Blogging, and Essays

Writing about family.

Family is complicated, and so is writing about it. Navigate the complexities of writing about real relationships in this generative essay class.

Writing Circle Workshop: Writing for Happiness, Healing, and Health (Monday/Friday)

Expressive writing can be a powerful elixir for what ails you. Learn and practice tools for writing expressively, including two virtual writing circles each week, turn raw writing into poetry or prose, and come away with a better understanding of how writing can lead toward wellness.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Writing Circle Workshop: Writing for Happiness, Healing, and Health (Tuesday/Saturday)

Writing place in creative nonfiction.

In Creative Nonfiction, place is a character in itself. Deeply explore a narrative and a place of your choosing, and make weekly progress on your essay or memoir.

Writing the (Modern) Love Essay

With paz pardo.

How do you distill the complexity of (modern) love into language? Learn how in this workshop, where you'll transform your lived experience of romance into an essay. 

Writing the Body: A Nonfiction Craft Seminar

The weird and wild body is a rich site of exploration in creative nonfiction. Explore the questions, stories, and lessons your body holds in this seminar with Margo Steines.

Writing the Memoir-in-Essays

Learn how to tell your story through the memoir-in-essays, a form that allows writers to interweave the facts of their lives in interesting and evocative ways.

• Name * First Last
• Classes You're Interested In

NEW VIDEO COURSE

Learn How to Write a Novel, Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class.

Learn How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months.

55 Best Essay Creative Writing Classes in 2024

Showing 55 courses that match your search.

Creative Writing Course: Memoir & Life Writing

Sydney Community College

Put simply, life experience, combined with a desire to write, qualifies you to tell your own story. Our experiences shape us and inform our world view, and nobody navigates life without struggle. Our personal circumstances, our observations of the world, and our personalities make us all unique individuals, and therefore the narratives of our lives are just as unique.

Website: https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/course/WRMM

Categories: Essay

Start date:

August, 2024

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Quilting Together Your Scraps and Pieces of Writing

Anyone else have scraps of writing just sitting in the Google drive or an overstuffed notebook? What do you do with them all? These pieces do all have something in common; you wrote them and you like them, so we are going to have an old fashioned quilting bee.

Website: https://www.writespacehouston.org/creative-writing.html

Sweet & Savory, Salty & Bitter: Memories & Experiences with Food

In this three-hour workshop, we will approach personal essay through memories and experiences with food. In these essays, you can explore your relationship with particular people or with a gathering or event in your life. We will practice several techniques for connecting with food to craft a satisfying personal essay.

April, 2024

How to Write a Novel

Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more →

8-week Personal Essay & Memoir II/III (intermediate & advanced)

Sackett Street Writers

Through group discussion of student work, plus that of published authors, writers in this workshop will examine the art and craft of creative nonfiction. The focus will be on learning to understand and use a full range of literary techniques in order to tell a truly compelling nonfiction story.

Website: https://sackettworkshop.com/writing/2023/12/30/8-week-per...

March, 2024

Online Advanced Essays and the Persona Narrator (Ford)

The Writers Studio

In this eight-week class, we will look at published works by notable essayists to see how their use of persona narrator and other elements of craft help them both to live into their material and to welcome the reader.

Website: https://courses.writerstudio.com/courses/online-advanced-...

Introduction to Writing Speculative Nonfiction Essays

Clarion West

As writers and readers we all bring something different to the page and have our own lens with which we view not only the world, but the media we consume. Learn how to leverage your unique perspective and expertise into a well crafted essay on your favorite media.

Website: https://clarion-west-online.teachable.com/p/gilmore-specu...

Open all year round

Blog and Text Writing for Scientists and Scientific Entrepreneurs

Scientists and scientific entrepreneurs need to inform the public about their work. They are also now aware of the need to do so in the online content world. This course focuses specifically on blog writing. We touch briefly however on how one enters into this type of work.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/Blog-and-Text-Writi...

A Comprehensive Guide To Writing a First Class Scientific Essay

This class is designed to guide beginner writers on how to write a high-quality literature review and research article for STEM subjects. The class is designed to give students a clearer idea of the best practices in scientific writing.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/A-Comprehensive-Gui...

Using the Tools of Fiction in Nonfiction

The Writer's Center

Whether you are crafting an essay or writing a memoir, the tools of fiction can bring depth and suspense to your work. This class will cover four tools of fiction. We will examine contemporary examples of each tool used in nonfiction, and then we will practice them with generative exercises.

Website: https://writer.org/event/using-the-tools-of-fiction-in-no...

Writing Motherhood

This workshop is for writers who have become mothers (self-defined), or mothers who need to write. In this six-week class, we will read and discuss texts on the topic of motherhood from a diversity of perspectives, and explore and interrogate our own relationship with motherhood through our writing.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/writing-motherhoo...

6 Weeks, 3 Essays

When it comes to writing about our lives and the wider world, it can be difficult to know where to begin. This course is for writers who are ready to produce new essays, but need the inspiration and accountability to get started.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/6-weeks-3-essays-9/

Prerequisites: For writers age 13 - 18 ONLY.

The Braided Essay (seminar)

Lilly Dancyger

For essays that tell more than a single story or incorporate research, reporting, or criticism, writers can turn to the braided essay format. An expansive and complex form, the braided essay can accommodate these additional elements, but it also takes skill to pull off with cohesion. This 4-week seminar by Lilly Dancyger will help guide you through the entire process, from idea to drafting to weaving strands together.

Website: https://www.lillydancyger.com/the-braided-essay

How to choose an essay writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that essay you’ve been working on? You’re in the right place. That’s why we built this directory of the best writing courses.

However, creative writing classes aren’t one size fit all. If you’re planning to join an essay writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about essay writing.

So make sure to consider the following questions when you’re researching essay writing courses:

• Who is the instructor? How many years of experience do they have in essay writing?
• Is there something in particular you’d like to learn about essay writing? Does this course include it?
• How long is the course, and where is it taught?
• How much does the essay writing course cost? Does it fit into your budget?

More essay writing resources

Whether you’re a new or established author, there are always evergreen resources out there to how to get a headstart on essay writing. 

Free online materials

• How to Write a Novel (blog post)
• How to Edit a Book (blog post)

Recommended books

• For writers in the UK:  Writers' & Artists' Yearbook  
• For writers in the US:  Writer’s Market 2020

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

Save your shortlist

Enter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it!

By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.

We sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Writing Courses Directory, happy publishing! 🙌

NEW REEDSY COURSE

Finish your book in three months with 93 master classes, plus:

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

• Skip to Main
• Honors and Awards
• Faculty Bookshelf
• Program Leadership
• Administrative Staff
• First-Year Courses
• Elective Courses

Writing the Essay

• International Writing Workshops
• Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
• Tandon School of Engineering
• Tisch School of the Arts
• Appointment Information
• Consulting and Tutoring Staff
• Peer-Tutoring Programs
• Workshops and Writing Groups
• Writing in the Disciplines
• Workshop Calendar
• EWP Statement on Academic Integrity
• Electronic Resources
• EWP Vocabulary for Writing
• EWP Pathways Symposium
• Mercer Street
• Transfer Student Information
• International Student Placement
• Faculty-Only

In Writing the Essay, you are invited to work together with students from CAS, Steinhardt, Meyers, and Silver whose interests span the curriculum—and one hundred different majors—to develop meaningful, original writing. This class is designed so that students of all backgrounds and abilities share ideas as equals and develop together as colleagues. Our faculty are essayists, poets, novelists, academic writers, social scientists, and playwrights. We are all writers who share the conviction that writing is a crucial tool for unlocking and creating knowledge within the university and for making change in the wider world. The diverse interests that we bring to our conversations as teachers of writing mirror the multiperspectival conversations that you will have with other students in our classrooms, where budding writers consider the published work of accomplished authors alongside the developing drafts of their classmates.

Writing the Essay offers you the reading, writing, and thinking practices essential for rigorous engagement in your courses across New York University and challenges you to develop a sense of yourself as a writer who addresses the urgent questions of our times. Writing the Essay may be your first encounter with the essay as an academic and creative form that embraces inquiry and acts as a path to knowledge, rather than a statement of opinion or position: instead of justifying assumptions, essay writing unwinds them. Here you can begin to explore evidence through open-minded questions and come to develop ideas through analysis. You will be introduced to the concept that writing begins with inquiry and persists through an ever-evolving exchange of ideas. Writing is a process of vision and revision: you will revisit and revise your own writing as you come to know your sources, audiences, and discourse communities with increasing expertise.

Over the course of a semester, you will come to understand the many ways that you may engage with texts and evidence and become confident in your choices. You will begin to transcend static, binary positions and instead build nuanced interpretations and conversations that allow simultaneous admiration and skepticism. Learning multiple modes of analysis leads not only to more dynamic and accurate treatments of evidence, but to a habit of thinking more deeply and intricately. You will come to employ these habits of thought as you create complex ideas through the essay, and you’ll learn that your ideas can be meaningful, innovative, and difference-making. As your ideas accumulate and mature, you will mold your own voice and identity as a writer. Sharing your work and views with the classroom community, you will practice the social process of writing. Through this shared work, you will begin to find your path among a community of emerging scholars.

Writing the Essay pushed me to further explore and effectively communicate my ideas through my writing. It is a great foundational course that I encourage students to use as an opportunity to engage their creativity as they develop and refine their technical skills. - Kendall Ross, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, 2021

Although I never looked forward to essay classes in college, WTE has given me analysis and representation skills that I can apply throughout the rest of my college career. The in-class discussions were always engaging, and I looked forward to every meeting session. - Eric Yao

To this day, I regard Writing the Essay as one of the most important classes I’ve taken in NYU. It was there for the first time I learned that words matter. This is a lesson I’ve taken with me to every internship, course or personal life experience I’ve had since then. - Adriana Sofia Monzon, CAS, 2021

Out of all the classes I’ve taken at NYU, Writing the Essay has made the most lasting impression on me. It gave me confidence in my own ideas and reignited my sense of intellectual curiosity. This course didn’t just teach me how to write, it also taught me how to think. - Emily Yan, Stern School of Business, 2021

WTE was my most transformative NYU experience. Instead of being constrained by writing structures taught in highschool, WTE was where I first learned to trust in and express my own voice, and has given me the ability creatively, academically, and professionally communicate my voice in a cogent manner. - Iris Wu Zimmer, CAS 2021

Learning Outcomes, Skills, and Techniques

When a student attends a section of Writing the Essay at Washington Square, they can expect to

Read thoughtfully and attentively with the purposes of questioning, understanding, and responding as a writer in an ongoing discourse

Pose and explore complex intellectual problems

Select, integrate, and analyze sources that illuminate complex problems

Use research tools, such as library and public databases, to independently locate useful, appropriate, and interesting topics and sources 

Ethically represent sources, including the work of other writers and creators, in order to engage with them fairly and thoughtfully 

Practice analytical techniques that carry across a variety of source types and disciplines

Build clear and complex arguments through the analysis and synthesis of multiple sources

Create original ideas through argumentation and analysis

Learn rhetorical practices to attend to genre, audience, discipline, and convention

Write clear complex essays that develop through inductive reasoning

Revise written work deeply to improve higher order concerns, like structure and argument

Understand writing as a process that happens over time, through feedback and revision, and within a community

Welcome to Write The World Workshops: Writing Camps and College Essay Courses

Open Programs

Complete your college essay online course & college essay review service.

Journey through dozens of prompts, videos, and resources to explore and reflect on YOUR story, in YOUR own words. You’ll walk away with a fully drafted, stand-out Personal Statement in hand, as well as a plethora of writing resources for college and beyond.

With Write the World’s College Essay Review, you’ll have a college essay editor on your side – anytime, anywhere. Submit drafts to our team of Expert Advisors for review, and receive fully personalized, multi-page reports within 48 hours.

Virtual Summer Writing Camps 2024

About write the world.

Write the World is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2012 at Harvard University, that provides online supplemental educational programs and a writing community that serves young writers, their educators and schools. 

For over 10 years, Write the World has reached and improved the writing of over 101K+ teens and educators from 125 countries. We’ve empowered young people to develop their voices, refine their editing skills, and publish on our global platform. We pride ourselves on offering a supportive environment that prizes self-expression, safety, and privacy for young writers aged 13–19.

Our students access opportunities for recognition through our blog, online journal, and free monthly writing competitions that feature noted guest judges such as United States Inaugural Poet and Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman ; former speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama  Sarah Hurwitz ; and United States Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky.  

We created Write the World Workshops & Services to further inspire young writers to express themselves, write in a variety of genres, and boost their confidence. Our intuitive writing process and curricula are designed to improve students’ writing, critical thinking, and communication skills—essential for success in college readiness, career, and life.

Our Programs

Our on-demand  Complete Your College Admissions Essay Online Course  guides Juniors and Seniors through a step-by-step roadmap toward college essay success and develop standout essays. We also continue to offer our popular  College Essay Review  services, where students receive a comprehensive feedback report within 48 hours and have a college essay editor on their side – anytime, anywhere.

Our  virtual creative writing camps  also return every summer, where students (ages 13-19) experiment with the written word, try their hand at new styles of writing, and work with notable professionals to create pieces they’re proud of from the comfort of their home.

We look forward to writing with you!

Our Unique Approach

Join Our Newsletter to Stay Up to Date!

Join our newsletter below for workshop updates , new blog posts, and more!  Please also check out our College Essay Online Course and Review services.

Partner with Us

We are on the lookout for partner educators, counselors, schools, and consultants, “write the world taught our students the essentials of writing a college essay in an efficient, student centered, and supportive way. our students left this workshop with more confidence in their writing and a sense of ease regarding their essay. the small groups and 1:1 guidance from wtw advisors allowed for our students to comfortably open up and connect themselves to their writing.”.

–  Genesis T., Partnership with TRIO Talent Search | GEAR Up Massachusetts , Lowell High School 

Interested in getting your school, company, or organization involved in our Writing Workshops or Services?

Please contact us to discuss:

Partnership and cross promotion opportunities

Private programs tailored to your requirements

Bulk registration discounts for classes and groups

Sponsorship opportunities

Scholarship nominations

Partners & Publications

What Our Students Say

“It all felt very personal, which I think is essential for this process.”

— Salish, 14, Canada

“I have a better understanding of myself as a writer. It’s a very positive and safe community to share and improve your work.”

— Tiffany, 17, United States

“It allows you to connect to young, driven writers. The staff is supportive and the expert reviewers are extremely insightful.”

— Geethika, 18, Singapore

Subscribe now to learn more about our virtual camps, college essay programs, and more.

20 University Road, Suite 500, Cambridge, MA 02138

• Login / Register

Online Class: Essay Writing 101

• 25 Exams & Assignments
• 4,042 Students have taken this course
• 11 Hours average time

Course Description

Mastering the Essay: A Comprehensive Guide to Excellence in Academic and Professional Writing

In today's digital age, effective communication remains pivotal. The power of the written word hasn't diminished; in fact, with the increasing emphasis on content marketing, social media narratives, and online publishing, its value has arguably skyrocketed. Central to this universe of words is the essay, a versatile medium that encapsulates ideas, arguments, narratives, and information. An adept essay writer stands out in academia and many professional arenas, turning this skill into an essential tool for success.

Course Overview:

A strong essay can be a ticket to better grades in education, a persuasive tool in the corporate sector, and a means to convey critical information in fields like journalism and law. As per a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, written communication skills are among the top attributes employers seek on a candidate's resume. This course is meticulously designed to offer an in-depth understanding of essay writing, guiding you through its various nuances and intricacies.

Course Highlights:

Nature and Structure of Essays: Dive deep into the history of essays and explore their evolution over time. Understand the essence of what makes an essay compelling.

Types of Essays: Not all essays are created equal. Explore narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative essays, among others. Each serves a unique purpose, and we'll delve into when and how to use them effectively.

Grammar Refresher: Even the best ideas can falter with poor grammar. Strengthen your foundation in English grammar, covering everything from the basics of parts of speech to the complexities of subject-verb agreement.

Spotting and Rectifying Mistakes: Learn from real-world examples of exemplary and flawed writing. Recognize common pitfalls, and more importantly, understand how to avoid them.

By the end of this course, you will not only grasp the theory behind crafting impactful essays but will also have the practical skills to draft, edit, and polish your pieces, ready for academic or professional presentation.

Course Breakdown:

Lesson 1: Dive into the 'Anatomy of an Essay', breaking down its structure and core components.

Lesson 2-4: Deepen your understanding of 'Grammar Basics', a three-part series covering Parts of Speech, Capitalization and Punctuation, and Subject-Verb Agreement. These lessons are peppered with exercises and examples to cement your knowledge.

Lesson 5: Explore the 'Types of Essays'. Understand the subtle differences and appropriate use cases for each kind.

Lesson 6: Delve into 'Topic and Thesis Selection', a crucial step that lays the groundwork for your essay.

Lesson 7: Understand 'The Argument, Research, and Citations'. Backing your essay with credible sources is indispensable, and this lesson will show you the ropes.

Lesson 8: Organize your thoughts with 'Outlining the Essay', ensuring a logical flow of ideas.

Lesson 9-10: Dive deep into crafting the 'Introduction', 'Body', and 'Conclusion' of your essay – the trio that determines its impact.

Lesson 11: Perfect your essay with 'Revisions and Finishing Touches', ensuring it's polished and free from errors.

Lesson 12: Conclude with 'Some Final Writing Pitfalls to Avoid', a compilation of common mistakes and how to steer clear of them.

Each lesson comes with assignments and resources, enabling you to practice what you learn, gather feedback, and refine your skills continuously.

In an era where communication is paramount, mastering the art of essay writing is more than just an academic exercise; it's a critical life skill. Join us on this enlightening journey, and harness the power of words to shape narratives, influence opinions, and make a lasting impact.

• Completely Online
• 6 Months to Complete
• 24/7 Availability
• Start Anytime
• PC & Mac Compatible
• Android & iOS Friendly
• Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons

Lesson 1. Anatomy of an Essay

Lesson 2. Grammar Basics. Part I. The Parts of Speech

Lesson 3. grammar basics. part ii. capitalization and punctuation, lesson 4. grammar basics. part iii. subject-verb agreement and other writing mishaps.

Lesson 5. Types of Essays

Lesson 6. topic and thesis selection, lesson 7. the argument, research, and citations, lesson 8. outlining the essay, lesson 9. the introduction, lesson 10. the body and conclusion, lesson 11. revisions and finishing touches, lesson 12. some final writing pitfalls to avoid, learning outcomes.

• Describe the anatomy of an essay.
• Define the parts of speech.
• Demonstrate capitalization and punctuation usage.
• Recognize subject-verb agreement and other writing mishaps.
• Describe types of essays.
• Formulate topic and thesis.
• Define the argument, conduct research and record citations.
• Outline the essay.
• Create the introduction.
• Create the body and conclusion.
• Revise the essay.
• Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

• Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
• Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
• Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
• View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
• Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Choose Your Subscription Plan

Student testimonials.

• "My instructor had patience, she worked with me over and over until I understood what I have to write." -- Deborah E.
• "This course was extremely helpful. I am an English teacher and needed this course for CE so I was very familiar with the material provided. It gave me a new insight to teaching essay writing and research writing that I have not seen--or rather seen put together so well!" -- Amy B.
• "My prof was superb in extending her helping hand to understand all my downs in going through with this course." -- Mary Ann C.
• "I found the explanations extremely helpful. I also liked how everything was divided into sections where it was easy to read." -- Patricia P.
• "I enjoyed the instructor's comments and the coursework." -- Kathy C.
• "What was most helpful was the instructor correcting my grammer and spelling." -- Patricia N.
• "ALL THE LESSONS ESPECIALLY THE LAST 4. THEY BROUGHT ALL THE CLASS INFORMATION TOGETHER. VERY HELPFUL IN COMPLETING THE ESSAY." -- Roland H.
• "The progression of the assignments were most beneficial. By gradually building from learning the parts of speech and sentence structure, to outlining and drafting I acquired a strong foundation from which I built my final essay." -- Joan C.
• "This instructor was very detail oriented and helpful." -- Chandradarshini B.

Related Courses

• Course Catalog
• Group Discounts
• Gift Certificates
• For Libraries
• CEU Verification
• Medical Terminology
• Accounting Course
• Writing Basics
• QuickBooks Training
• Proofreading Class
• Sensitivity Training
• Excel Certificate
• Teach Online
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to structure an essay: Templates and tips

How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates

Published on September 18, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction , a body , and a conclusion . But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

The basics of essay structure, chronological structure, compare-and-contrast structure, problems-methods-solutions structure, signposting to clarify your structure, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay structure.

There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.

Parts of an essay

The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.

Order of information

You’ll also have to consider how to present information within the body. There are a few general principles that can guide you here.

The first is that your argument should move from the simplest claim to the most complex . The body of a good argumentative essay often begins with simple and widely accepted claims, and then moves towards more complex and contentious ones.

For example, you might begin by describing a generally accepted philosophical concept, and then apply it to a new topic. The grounding in the general concept will allow the reader to understand your unique application of it.

The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay . General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body.

The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis . Ask yourself whether each piece of information advances your argument or provides necessary background. And make sure that the text clearly expresses each piece of information’s relevance.

The sections below present several organizational templates for essays: the chronological approach, the compare-and-contrast approach, and the problems-methods-solutions approach.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

The chronological approach (sometimes called the cause-and-effect approach) is probably the simplest way to structure an essay. It just means discussing events in the order in which they occurred, discussing how they are related (i.e. the cause and effect involved) as you go.

A chronological approach can be useful when your essay is about a series of events. Don’t rule out other approaches, though—even when the chronological approach is the obvious one, you might be able to bring out more with a different structure.

Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press.

• Thesis statement
• Discussion of event/period
• Consequences
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement
• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages
• Background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press
• Thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation
• High levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe
• Literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites
• Consequence: this discouraged political and religious change
• Invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg
• Implications of the new technology for book production
• Consequence: Rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible
• Trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention
• Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation
• Consequence: The large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics
• Summarize the history described
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period

Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting . For example, a literary analysis essay might compare two different texts, and an argumentative essay might compare the strengths of different arguments.

There are two main ways of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay: the alternating method, and the block method.

Alternating

In the alternating method, each paragraph compares your subjects in terms of a specific point of comparison. These points of comparison are therefore what defines each paragraph.

The tabs below show a general template for this structure, and a specific example for an essay comparing and contrasting distance learning with traditional classroom learning.

• Synthesis of arguments
• Topical relevance of distance learning in lockdown
• Increasing prevalence of distance learning over the last decade
• Thesis statement: While distance learning has certain advantages, it introduces multiple new accessibility issues that must be addressed for it to be as effective as classroom learning
• Classroom learning: Ease of identifying difficulties and privately discussing them
• Distance learning: Difficulty of noticing and unobtrusively helping
• Classroom learning: Difficulties accessing the classroom (disability, distance travelled from home)
• Distance learning: Difficulties with online work (lack of tech literacy, unreliable connection, distractions)
• Classroom learning: Tends to encourage personal engagement among students and with teacher, more relaxed social environment
• Distance learning: Greater ability to reach out to teacher privately
• Sum up, emphasize that distance learning introduces more difficulties than it solves
• Stress the importance of addressing issues with distance learning as it becomes increasingly common
• Distance learning may prove to be the future, but it still has a long way to go

In the block method, each subject is covered all in one go, potentially across multiple paragraphs. For example, you might write two paragraphs about your first subject and then two about your second subject, making comparisons back to the first.

The tabs again show a general template, followed by another essay on distance learning, this time with the body structured in blocks.

• Point 1 (compare)
• Point 2 (compare)
• Point 3 (compare)
• Point 4 (compare)
• Advantages: Flexibility, accessibility
• Disadvantages: Discomfort, challenges for those with poor internet or tech literacy
• Advantages: Potential for teacher to discuss issues with a student in a separate private call
• Disadvantages: Difficulty of identifying struggling students and aiding them unobtrusively, lack of personal interaction among students
• Advantages: More accessible to those with low tech literacy, equality of all sharing one learning environment
• Disadvantages: Students must live close enough to attend, commutes may vary, classrooms not always accessible for disabled students
• Advantages: Ease of picking up on signs a student is struggling, more personal interaction among students
• Disadvantages: May be harder for students to approach teacher privately in person to raise issues

An essay that concerns a specific problem (practical or theoretical) may be structured according to the problems-methods-solutions approach.

This is just what it sounds like: You define the problem, characterize a method or theory that may solve it, and finally analyze the problem, using this method or theory to arrive at a solution. If the problem is theoretical, the solution might be the analysis you present in the essay itself; otherwise, you might just present a proposed solution.

The tabs below show a template for this structure and an example outline for an essay about the problem of fake news.

• Introduce the problem
• Provide background
• Describe your approach to solving it
• Define the problem precisely
• Describe why it’s important
• Indicate previous approaches to the problem
• Present your new approach, and why it’s better
• Apply the new method or theory to the problem
• Indicate the solution you arrive at by doing so
• Assess (potential or actual) effectiveness of solution
• Describe the implications
• Problem: The growth of “fake news” online
• Prevalence of polarized/conspiracy-focused news sources online
• Thesis statement: Rather than attempting to stamp out online fake news through social media moderation, an effective approach to combating it must work with educational institutions to improve media literacy
• Definition: Deliberate disinformation designed to spread virally online
• Popularization of the term, growth of the phenomenon
• Previous approaches: Labeling and moderation on social media platforms
• Critique: This approach feeds conspiracies; the real solution is to improve media literacy so users can better identify fake news
• Greater emphasis should be placed on media literacy education in schools
• This allows people to assess news sources independently, rather than just being told which ones to trust
• This is a long-term solution but could be highly effective
• It would require significant organization and investment, but would equip people to judge news sources more effectively
• Rather than trying to contain the spread of fake news, we must teach the next generation not to fall for it

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Signposting means guiding the reader through your essay with language that describes or hints at the structure of what follows.  It can help you clarify your structure for yourself as well as helping your reader follow your ideas.

The essay overview

In longer essays whose body is split into multiple named sections, the introduction often ends with an overview of the rest of the essay. This gives a brief description of the main idea or argument of each section.

The overview allows the reader to immediately understand what will be covered in the essay and in what order. Though it describes what  comes later in the text, it is generally written in the present tense . The following example is from a literary analysis essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .

Transitions

Transition words and phrases are used throughout all good essays to link together different ideas. They help guide the reader through your text, and an essay that uses them effectively will be much easier to follow.

Various different relationships can be expressed by transition words, as shown in this example.

Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. Although it was an outcome the Allies had hoped to avoid, they were prepared to back up their ultimatum in order to combat the existential threat posed by the Third Reich.

Transition sentences may be included to transition between different paragraphs or sections of an essay. A good transition sentence moves the reader on to the next topic while indicating how it relates to the previous one.

… Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

However , considering the issue of personal interaction among students presents a different picture.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-structure/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, comparing and contrasting in an essay | tips & examples, how to write the body of an essay | drafting & redrafting, transition sentences | tips & examples for clear writing, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content

UPSC Coaching, Study Materials, and Mock Exams

Enroll in ClearIAS UPSC Coaching Join Now Log In

Call us: +91-9605741000

Essay Course for UPSC CSE – The Art of Essay Writing

Limited Period Offer: Join now and get a 50% discount!

Join the ClearIAS Essay Course now, and get instant access to already uploaded classes and automatic access to upcoming classes.

Join the ClearIAS Essay Course

Rs.9999   Rs.4999

Clearias essay course for upsc: what will you get.

Once you join, you will get:

• Instant access to ClearIAS Essay classes which cover the art of essay writing in detail (recorded classes).
• Automatic access to upcoming live interactive Essay Classes.
• ClearIAS notes on essay writing
• ClearIAS model essays
• ClearIAS templates on how to write standard essays and abstract essays (philosophical essays).

Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or a seasoned candidate, this course equips you with the skills to navigate the challenges of essay-based evaluation with confidence and finesse.

Course Validity

• 1-Year from the date of joining – Rs.4999
• 2-Year from the date of joining – Rs.7999

🖋️ Essay Course for UPSC Overview:

ClearIAS presents a tailored video course meticulously designed to decode the intricacies of essay writing in the UPSC CSE.

Embark on a transformative journey to conquer the essay paper in the UPSC Civil Services Examination with the specialized video course from ClearIAS!

Crafted exclusively for UPSC CSE aspirants, this course is your ultimate companion in mastering the unique demands of essay writing in one of India’s most prestigious exams.

🎯 Key Learning Objectives:

• Genre Mastery: Grasp the nuances of diverse essay genres, from policy analysis to philosophical contemplation. Develop the ability to choose the most appropriate genre for the given UPSC essay topic.
• Strategic Introductions: Acquire the art of crafting captivating introductions that pique the examiner’s interest. Learn to lay the groundwork for a compelling essay that stands out from the start.
• Rigorous Argumentation: Hone the skill of building logically structured arguments fortified with data, examples, and insights. Gain the expertise to present your viewpoints persuasively, reflecting a deep understanding of the topic.
• Structured Brilliance: Dive into the intricacies of essay structure customized for UPSC CSE. Learn to present your ideas in a coherent and organized manner, ensuring a seamless flow of thoughts.
• Language Precision: Elevate your writing with impeccable language usage tailored to the expectations of the UPSC evaluators. Master the art of concise and impactful expression.
• Cultivating Voice: Develop a unique writing voice that reflects your individuality while maintaining the formal tone expected by the UPSC. Stand out by infusing your essays with your personal perspective.
• Time Management Strategies: Unlock the secrets of effective time management, critical for excelling in the time-bound essay paper of UPSC CSE.

📚 Why ClearIAS for UPSC CSE:

ClearIAS has a proven legacy of guiding aspirants towards success in UPSC CSE.

With an unwavering commitment to quality and effectiveness, this essay writing video course continues ClearIAS’ tradition of excellence.

ClearIAS essay course is led by experts such as Alex Andrews George and Kavya Ajith, who have consistently secured high marks in essay paper (150+).

🎓 Who Should Enroll:

• UPSC CSE Aspirants: Elevate your essay writing prowess to secure an edge in the examination. Gain the skills to articulate your thoughts concisely and convincingly.

Benefits: A lot of questions in actual UPSC CSE Mains (Essay) could be easily answered by attending the ClearIAS Essay Program

ClearIAS Essay program offers a very high Return on Investment (RoI). Many questions in the actual UPSC Civil Services Examination can be directly or indirectly answered from ClearIAS Classes, Study Materials, and Exams.

🛍️ Buy ClearIAS Essay Writing Course for UPSC CSE:

You will get instant access to the course if you use the red-coloured payment button given below.

You can join the essay course for 12, 18 months, or 24 months.

Enroll in ClearIAS Essay Course – Rs.4999

🔥 take the leap towards success enroll now in the essay course for upsc.

Seize the opportunity to excel in the UPSC CSE essay paper with the Excelling in Essay Writing for UPSC CSE video course by ClearIAS.

Equip yourself with the tools to excel in articulating your ideas, and make a lasting impact on the UPSC evaluators.

Join us now and let ClearIAS guide you towards essay writing excellence, ensuring that your UPSC CSE journey is marked by confident and proficient essay composition.

Your words have the power to shape policies, influence governance, and make a difference.

Enroll today and transform into a masterful essayist!

“How can I join the ClearIAS Essay Course for UPSC CSE?”

You can use a debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI apps like GooglePay, PhonePe, PayTM etc to make online payment.

You will get instant access once you complete the payment.

Call/Email Us: We are happy to help

We are happy to guide you.

You can call or ping (Whatsapp) at any of the below phone numbers to talk to our mentors:

If you wish to connect through email, you can email us at  [email protected] .

We will get back as soon as possible.

Don’t lose out without playing the right game!

Follow the ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Integrated Approach.

Join ClearIAS PCM Course Now

UPSC Online Preparation

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
• Indian Police Service (IPS)
• IAS Exam Eligibility
• UPSC Free Study Materials
• UPSC Exam Guidance
• UPSC Prelims Test Series
• UPSC Syllabus
• UPSC Online
• UPSC Prelims
• UPSC Interview
• UPSC Toppers
• UPSC Previous Year Qns
• UPSC Age Calculator
• UPSC Calendar 2024
• About ClearIAS
• ClearIAS Programs
• ClearIAS Fee Structure
• IAS Coaching
• UPSC Coaching
• UPSC Online Coaching
• ClearIAS Blog
• Important Updates
• Announcements
• Book Review
• ClearIAS App
• Work with us
• Advertise with us
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Talk to Your Mentor

Featured on

and many more...

How to Ace the LSAT This August Law School Admissions Unplugged Podcast: Personal Statements, Application Essays, Scholarships, LSAT Prep, and More…

How to Ace the LSAT This August Free Easy LSAT Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/easylsat Book A Call: https://form.typeform.com/to/Et1l5Dg6 LSAT Unplugged Courses: http://www.lsatunplugged.com Unlimited Application Essay Editing: https://www.lsatunplugged.com/law-school-admissions Unplugged Prep: http://www.unpluggedprep.com/ Get my book for only $4.99: https://www.lsatmasterybook.com LSAT Unplugged Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lsat-unplugged/id1450308309?mt=2 LSAT Unplugged Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lsatunplugged/ LSAT Unplugged TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lsatunplugged LSAT Coaching YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgOHAiSs08EbD-kfDFqIEoMC_hzQrH-J5 Law School Admissions Coaching YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgOHAiSs08EbsqveKs_RZEy2sqqbz3HUL Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/LSATBlog/?sub_confirmation=1 ***

• Episode Website
• More Episodes
• © Copyright Steve Schwartz; All Rights Reserved