How to Write Essays That Showcase Original Thought

Creating an Original Thesis

Whether you are writing a personal essay or an essay as a specific assignment, we all know that your thesis statement will make it or break it for you. You need to be specific and clear.

This is what you are taught in high school, yet it is often the case that no one tells you exactly how to choose the right topic. Yes, they tell you not to be vague, but not how to really create an original thought. Let’s explore a few ways you can.

Thought Exploration

To create a more memorable thesis statement, you need to have a solid topic, which will be based on an original thought.

Start with a kind of free writing where you write down broad topics that genuinely interest you within your coursework. Don't worry about being specific at this stage. You just need to get the material on the page, so that you are clear about what your options are.

Even if nothing comes to mind immediately, think about topics discussed in the classes, during discourse, and even the ones showing up on tests. Consider checking your own lecture notes. Discussions with your peers can also help you brainstorm, and this should include group study sessions.

Research

Do some research and explore options not covered but still related to the course. People are now taking the easy way out and asking ChatGPT to generate a topic or even a thesis statement for them.

Even if it creates something supposedly “unique” out of the massive collection of digital data it has consumed, it still cannot create something brand new. And it will only take your professor a few clicks on an AI writing detector to determine that your work is neither new nor original.

If you are going to do a survey, or collect data or evidence to prove your point, you need to brainstorm and be very specific. Once you have determined a broad topic, it’s time to get specific.

Narrow It Down

This is where you need to really focus. Ask yourself, what specific aspect of the topic catches your eye? A good thesis is formed from something that moves you, so you need to be honest with yourself and think of what makes you feel something.

A large subject that you are interested in almost always contains smaller components that are more interesting and compel you to explore further. Focus on specific groups, situations, time periods, or effects. This can help you further narrow down the topic.

Check articles, papers, and any credible online sources you can find to see which angles have already been heavily discussed. So, alongside your research to gather information on the topic, you also need to check whether anyone else has already covered the specific topic.

Whatever your angle or focus is, it should not be something that has been covered before. Even if the topic that has already been covered, pick an aspect that was not addressed. This is a concept that is very popular with journalists and marketers, but it works. It makes you stand out.

Ask Questions

Once you find an angle, start asking questions related to it. A good thesis comes from strong questions instead of immediate answers. Ask why it happens, what causes it, who is affected the most, and what possible known and obscure consequences are there?

Write these questions down and find what leads to more arguments and not simple answers. If the question can be answered quickly and in a few sentences, it is too shallow to create an essay around.

Once you find the thesis, you need to test it. You need to be certain that you can find evidence, data, or credible sources to support your thesis.

If the answer is no, even if the idea is interesting, it will be unrealistic to think it is workable. A strong thesis needs both originality and enough support to uphold the essay.

Crafting the Thesis Statement

In your thesis statement, be specific about your focus. This is where you need to consider being dynamic without being vague. Even if it is a very technical piece, consider appealing to the senses of the reader to keep them engaged, but only in the parts leading up to your thesis statement.

In the statement itself, be so precise that any reader knows exactly what you wanted to explore and what you wanted to achieve in that exploration.

Writing the Essay

Professors often joke that once you have the argument that makes up your thesis statement, half your work is done. Nonetheless, it leaves behind the task of actually having to write the whole thing.

Fresh Data vs. What’s Already Available

People often think data-driven reports, based on surveys and studies, are more difficult because you need to collect the data, then sort it, and then find out what to display in the essay and what not to; however, do not dismiss the ideas as fresh data can be easier to work with than researching secondary sources of information.

Creating the Format

The most difficult aspect of writing a paper is staying on point and continuing the flow. It is very easy to get distracted and go off point.

To stay on track, consider creating a format first. To create this Table of Contents, you must first plan your paper and, if possible, write the headings for each section. Remember, your paper should be like a story unfolding, as this will increase readability and keep the flow relevant.

If you consider the findings as the big reveal, you need to describe both the journey you took to reach that destination and also how your argument changed and evolved with each step you took.

You can also consider using the source sandwich format. Start explaining the source idea in your own words. Then, you can provide the quotes and surrounding data, followed by your own analysis of what the quotes represent in supporting your article.

Using Quotes Effectively

When using quotes, do not overwhelm the whole paper with them. Be selective with sources, and choose the ones that create the most impact. Quotes should be followed by your own thoughts, as this is your thesis, and you are using what others say only to support your own thoughts.

Your Voice

You need to find your own unique voice when writing. This helps people stand out in front of professors, committee members, and other audiences who will read your paper. If there is a certain writing style you use that is formal but unique, it can help people understand that it is you who is writing.

If you want to keep the audience's focus trained on you, talk in the active voice. Keep the tone academic, while allowing your enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity to shine through. Your voice can ensure that you create a truly persuasive essay.

Refining Your Work

You can be as quick as you want to create a draft or even to put all the information on the page. Your ideas can flow in the first draft, and the essay can be as large as it needs to be to get the words down.

The editing process needs to be slow. Take your time to cut it down, remove filler sentences, and anything that feels better to be without. Try to remove repetitive parts, arguments that don't make clear sense, and parts where your voice doesn't shine.

Be your own critic, and a harsh one at that. See if your argument makes sense or if you are trying to force one out of the situation. You can consider reading it out loud, as hearing something helps you understand whether the words are flowing or if they just sound awkward.

Refinement takes time, but the outcome is worth it.

Final Thoughts

Cultivating original thought can be difficult, but taking the right steps can help you create an essay that truly represents your intellectual voice.

Finding your topic and creating an essay that matters is hard, but if you put in thought, effort, and time, you will make something that the world will not easily forget.

Continue to:
Planning an Essay
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