Young Writers Society

I have a question that's troubled me for quite some time now. How do you elaborate and lengthen essays? The longest essays I have written have been about five hundred words. My instructors have never asked for anything more, have never expected anything more.

Suddenly, this year, I am expected to write a 750-word essay, due Monday. This is not a serious issue- it's not much longer than others I have written, and I've got plenty to discuss. What troubles me is that as each year passes, I will have to elaborate more and more to meet the instructor's demands, as well as to just get my point across. In the past, I have resorted to "cheap tricks"; I have manipulated diction and syntax, just to gain a couple of words. I wish to do this no more.

So, how do you elaborate in writing essays, while keeping your main focus, and improving the quality of writing? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

David

The more research you can do, the better. You'll find that, as you get deeper into a subject, that it begins to connect with the world and that it's not just one subject but linked to everything in the universe.

And that's the beauty of writing essays.

Don't focus on word count. Instead, focus on your topic. Give it some research and though. Know your subject thoroughly and be able to be an expert on it. This is what a good writer does, and this is what good essayists do.

But more than that... have fun! You're learning, no?

Very, very true. Thank you, Snoink.

I hate writing essays so i find it quite hard to enjoy writing them. when i find myself unable to finish a certain essay, i ask my teacher for help.

There are lots of ways to lengthen them, but it sometimes depends on what information you have already put in. My advice is to ask your teacher or even read through a classmate's work so you can get an idea on what you're missing.

Well, I'd research a lot more, and take your essay into the mat of the topic. I'd write about things that are connected, however tenuously. The problem is, you just have to evolve longer exxays. I had the same problem a few years ago, and I eventually evolved out of the rut of short essays.