Guidelines for writing an effective essay remember the purpose for writing the essay this will give your essay a focus refer to the outline youve made youve made an outline use it let your writing speak for you write as if youre talking to your readers immerse yourself in a conversation . Type of essay next know the type of essay you are to write by knowing the type of essay to write youll already have a structure to follow the types of essays are narrative where the writer tells a story descriptive where the writer describes a person place thing or event expository the writer presents an informative fact based . Creating a strong draft of the essay 1 type the essay on a computer typing the essay on a computer will help you save time when you revise and edit the 2 craft your thesis statement your thesis statement will act as the guide or map for your essay the thesis statement 3 treat each body . In essence the wording of the essay question will tell you how the essay should be written it will indicate where the focus of your essay should lie as you research and write 2 plan and schedule understanding the question is the first step but it is equally important that you make efficient use of the available time