I think the best first step toward writing an essay is to choose a topic that you care about. Sure, that's not always possible, but when possible, it's a good way to go. If you care, you're more likely to be concise and persuasive.

Any thoughts?

I completely agree. It is so much easier to write about something that you are connected to in some way. The information just rolls off your fingers and you mind is free to express itself honestly. When I write about things that I am not connected to it takes forever and I am never satisfied with the final product.

The best way to pick a topic is to choose something with a lot of reference materials - magazine articles, internet articles, books, etc. A good factual essay is about facts. If you do the research, what ever the topic, you will know enough for the material to roll of your fingertips whether your \"passionate\" about it or not.

\"Write what you know\" may be a cliche, but it is also the truth. You will have a much easier time of it if you pick a topic that you already possess some rudimentary knowledge about and then do a little research to round things out.

Writing the essay is only part of the issue. Learning the research techniques are just as important. That is why some professors limit your subject choices so that you CAN'T write something you know and instead you are forced to do the research.

If you have the time, learn research. It will make things much easier for you in the future.

An interest in the topic will make the writing easy but on the other hand, when you don't have an interest in the subject, the internet is your sure bet to research and still churn out a well written essay. Once you put your heart into it, you will write well irrespective of whether you know something about it or not.

You both have some good ideas here. From my experience, the best essays come from a mix of resources...online research, personal experience, interviews...even the occasional youtube video!

Be dynamic with your information and your essays will reap the rewards.

It is right to chose the topic for the essay.After that you will think about the body,and finally conclusion.Write a few sentences that lead into the main point of your essay.

Make sure you are to the point - don't put in any filler sentences just because you haven't reached the word limit yet. Make sure you have thoroughly researched your topic and if it is an argumentative essay, your opinion should be obvious from the first sentence. Define all terms in the first paragraph and use one paragraph per point

Definitely.

Another tip is to make a list of bullets you want your essay to describe. Make them in a logical order so your essay has a strong and logical structure.