What is it about compare and contrast essays that makes them so difficult to get started? Maybe it’s having to juggle two different subjects in one essay. Usually you set your sights on one topic and tackle it directly. However, with a compare and contrast essay, you have to tackle two subjects. Plus, while addressing …
Think you’re ready to write your synthesis essay outline? That’s awesome! But I’m going to ask you for a favor: pump your brakes for a second, so you can ask yourself this question: Have I ever written a synthesis essay before? If the answer is no, then you’ll want to check out How to Write …
If you’ve ever found yourself in a new romantic relationship, you probably know that there are three tiny words that can make or break it all: “I love you.” Those three little words can wreak havoc on anyone. Should you say, “I love you”? What if the person doesn’t love you back? What do you …
Most of us can relate to film, television, or literary characters. Many of us are like Wonder Woman–professional, successful, and heroic all at once. Others are mild-mannered reporters (or other professionals) by day and like Superman by night, saving the planet from evil. If you’ve just finished reading Heart of Darkness, though, it might be pretty …
A group essay assignment can feel a bit like some kind of morbid social experiment. Several strangers are forced to work together on a project that’s generally recognized as being more easily done alone. Will they find a way to work together, or will they descend into chaos? Without the right strategies and attitudes in …
What if I told you that you had to write a research paper but that you didn’t actually have to do any of the research? Pretty sweet deal, right? A document-based question (DBQ) essay is sort of like that. You have to write an essay using a variety of sources, but someone else provides the …
You’ve completed at least a few writing courses in your day and have written your share of essays. But just when you think you’ve written every possible type of paper, BAM! You’re hit with a new type of essay: the discursive essay. With the word “curse” seemingly smack dab in the middle of the name, …
The last time I baked cupcakes, I followed the directions on the box to the letter. I’m far from a celebrity chef, so following the recipe would be the only way for me to bake anything edible. My grandmother, on the other hand, never made anything from a box. I don’t even remember her following …
When you hear the word “ESSAY,” what comes to mind? If you’re like a lot of students, you might think pain. Boredom. Tedium. Sheer misery. Rarely does the word “fun” come to mind. I get it. There are all sorts of reasons that you might hate writing an essay. Perhaps you struggle to start your …
Have you ever watched a great film trailer and thought, “I have to see that movie!”? A good trailer gives you the basic premise of the movie, shows you the highlights, and encourages you to want to see more. A good thesis statement will accomplish the same thing. It gives readers an idea of the …
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” You might recognize this quote as part of the poem on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. It has almost become synonymous with immigrants coming to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream. But if this quote and the …
The end is the beginning is the end. Or so it constantly seems when writing an essay. As soon as you think you’re finished, it’s time to examine, revise, and rewrite. The end of your first draft marks the beginning of your second. The beginning of your third draft marks the end of your second. …
Here’s an all-too-common scenario faced by students everywhere: you’re assigned to write a paper, but you don’t know what to write about. Your prof tells you to write about something unique, something original, something that interests you. The problem is, right now, the only thing that interests you is finding a topic for your paper. …
More often than not, when you’re assigned an essay, you think, “Great. I have zero interest in this topic. How am I supposed to write five pages about it?” But every once in a while, you get that essay assignment that encourages you to write about something you feel passionate about. Something you can sink …
Sometimes you read a book that—whether you love it or hate it—is unlike any other you’ve read before. Things Fall Apart is one of those types of books. Written by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart shows readers a view of Africa that’s different from the white-authored colonial-type stories like Heart of Darkness. Instead …
Hello there! Welcome back to the Kibin blog. Our goal here at Kibin is to educate you on the art of writing. We do that in several ways, including awesome editing services, a deep database of essay examples, and this blog. Our focus on the Kibin blog is to explain ways to write specific essays …
What comes to mind when you hear the words “marijuana user”? Some people may automatically think Reefer Madness and see the film as an extreme exaggeration of users. Others may see it as a film with some underlying bit of truth to the dangers of marijuana. Still others may think of a marijuana user as …
If you’ve ever watched Survivor, you know how important it is for contestants to plan, form alliances, and do anything they can to avoid getting voted off the island by the Tribal Council. Writing an essay is kind of like being a contestant on Survivor. You need to plan ahead, learn the tricks of good writing, …
Have you ever heard that different people learn in different ways? Well, it’s true. And while some people may be able to learn just by reading the theories on how to do something, you learn differently—you need actual examples. Just like a protester, politician, or superhero, I’m here to lead by example. I’ve put together …
Do you freak out or feel stressed at the mere thought of trying to organize your ideas for a paper? Have you tried prewriting and outlining, yet can’t seem to pull your ideas together? If all those Roman numerals and upper and lowercase letters of a traditional outline are enough to drive you mad, why …
There have been exactly 18,312 words written here at the Kibin blog on the subject of the argumentative essay. Think I made that number up? Well, prove it. We’ve written so many blog posts on the subject because it’s by far the most common essay assignment that students face. About the only way to avoid …