How to Write an Essay/Basics

Length

 * "An essay should be like a mini-skirt - long enough to cover the subject, short enough to make it interesting." – Author unknown

When writing an essay, one must take into consideration its audience and its purpose.There are many Blackspots (things not to do). Never under any circumstances put:
 * The purpose of this essay is.... (this just aggravates the examiner)
 * I am going to show.... (DUH maybe the examiner thought you were going to dance!!)
 * or use "I" in a CE. Use this only for personal pieces.

One must be reasonable when considering the length of the essay, so as to appeal to the audience yet maintain the essay’s informative quality. It would seem unreasonable to write an essay 5000 words long about studying for secondary school students.