Have you ever felt like you want to talk about a book you’ve read, but don’t know how to start? You seem to have felt a lot, but it’s difficult to formalize it into a coherent text. This is familiar to almost every book lover.
The skills that students use when writing essays can come to the rescue. Yes, that’s them. Those who work on the structure formulate theses and build arguments. Their techniques are suitable not only for a test, but also for those who want to write about books – on a blog, on social networks, or just for themselves.
Are you ready to figure out what you can learn from them? Then let’s get started.
An essay helps to structure thoughts
How does a good essay begin? With a clear thought. The author immediately makes it clear what will be discussed. This also works in a literary context.
If you want to write a review about a book, start with the main idea. What do you think of this novel? What do you remember about him? This will be your starting point.
After that, add a couple of arguments. Why do you think that? What scenes confirm this? There is no need to retell the whole plot. Two or three vivid episodes are enough.
End with a short conclusion. To summarize: Did you like the book, and why?
Here is the basic structure for the reader’s text:
- Introduction: your main idea.
- Arguments: 2-3 points with examples.
- Conclusion: a short conclusion.
A simple but effective scheme. It helps to make your text logical and understandable.
Clarity is more important than beauty
Many people think that smart text consists of complex words and long sentences. The opposite is true. The simpler you put it, the better you will be understood.
Student essays teach: avoid complicated phrases. One suggestion, one idea. Don’t overload the text. This rule is also ideal for readers’ notes.
Remember how nice it is to read reviews where everything is clear and precise. You don’t have to go back or reread it twice. Such a text inspires confidence.
If you want your opinion to be taken seriously, try to write simply. The language should be lively, but not overloaded.
Argue, not just share your emotions
Saying “I liked it” is good, but not enough. It’s much more interesting to understand why you liked something.
Students learn how to formulate arguments in an essay. They write: “The author reveals the theme through the inner conflict of the hero.” Or: “The finale draws a logical line under the development of events.”
If it’s hard for you to get started, check out how professional college essay writers do it. On the Studybay platform, you will find examples, and you can even buy a college essay or get college paper help to understand the structure and approach from the inside. This is a great way to learn how to express opinions convincingly and to the point.
Try to apply this approach to the books you are reading. Don’t just describe what happened, but analyze it. Why did the hero make such a decision? Why did you find the ending inconclusive?
To make your texts more convincing, ask yourself these questions:
- What moment of the book hooked me the most?
- What did the author want to say with this story?
- What emotions did the characters’ actions evoke?
- When you start looking for reasons, your text will become more meaningful.
Use quotes to enhance your text
Students often refer to sources in their essays. This helps to confirm their opinion. In texts about books, you can use quotes from the book itself.
If the hero says something important, write it down. If the author formulates the idea beautifully, save it. These phrases can be an excellent support for your analysis.
Quotes make your text come alive. They add weight. The main thing is not to overload. One or two phrases are enough.
Write in your style, but keep in shape
An essay teaches you how to write by the rules. But this does not mean that the style should be dry. It’s important to keep the structure and be yourself.
If you’re used to writing with humor, great. If you like to add personal stories, that’s great. The main thing is not to forget about the purpose of the text. You’re sharing your opinion about the book, not just describing your day.
Your style makes the text recognizable. But without structure, it gets lost.
Here’s how to combine form and personality:
- Start with personal observation, but get to the point quickly.
- Don’t be afraid to write emotionally, but avoid chaos.
- Try to make each thought lead to the next.
This way, you will keep a friendly tone and not lose logic.
The essay develops the reader’s thinking
Reading is not just about relaxing. This is the work of the mind. When you write an essay, you begin to analyze the text more deeply. See the details. You’re wondering.
If you write a short essay after the book, you will remember it better. And most importantly, learn to formulate your point of view.
This is especially useful if you want to blog or discuss books with friends. You’ll be speaking not in vague phrases, but to the point.
Anyone can start – without fear or preparation
You don’t have to be a student to write a meaningful text. If you read books and have something to say, you already have everything you need.
Start small. Write a post on a social network. Review on “Labyrinth” or “LiveLib”. Or just a few paragraphs in a notebook.
To get started, try the following:
- Choose one book that you like.
- Write 3 thoughts: what, why, and why it’s important.
- Add 1 quote from the text.
- Formulate the result in one sentence.
- Don’t strive for the ideal. Write for yourself and with interest.
Conclusion
An essay is not a school obligation. It’s a tool that helps you think clearly, write better, and understand books more deeply. Students’ skills can be useful to every book lover. After all, if you like to read, why not learn how to talk about books so that people listen to you?
Start small. Apply one idea from this article. And see how your perspective on reading will change.
The Lit Bitch 