Essays: a Short History and the Main Idea
How can anyone expect you to write an essay when you do not truly understand the essence of this beast, if you will? A brief history concluded with a summation of the essay as it stands today resolves the above issue.
AP European History textbook A History of Western Society traces the origin of essays back to a French philosopher and writer, Michel de Montaigne. During the French Renaissance, which occurred mid- to late-16th century, Montaigne wrote three, yes THREE, entire books of essays. He called his books Essais, meaning none other than "essays" when translated to English. The significance of Montaigne's essays lies in their content: "brief personal meditations" (Essay). In other words, he took ideas OF HIS OWN and developed them individually through concise, organized bodies of writing.
Montaigne's desire to communicate his philosophies rose out of the Italian Renaissance and its emphasis on individualism. As made obvious by its name, individualism supports everything an individual might have to offer of or develop in himself, including his thoughts. Thus, the essay is a written and organized form of individualism: an "exploration of one's inner self in relation to the outside world." (Essay)
In conclusion, en total, in sum, or any of those other cliché concluding transitions, which I will cover later, an essay is a discussion, an explanation, a presentation, an exploration of an idea with a personal spin. An essay is NOT a summary; save summarizing for a research report. Have a message to deliver or a point to make and stick with it resolutely. Consider an essay as an opportunity to define and express your thoughts on a particular subject. Writing is even better than speaking your mind: it is more permanent and thorough. Therefore writing can express your complete thoughts innumerous times to a number of people.
Even when writing for class, remember that you can enjoy writing. Write with more conviction than with the attitude of "because I have to;" write because you have something important to say. Or write because you are not exactly sure where you stand: writing on a subject will help you solidify your personal understanding. Writing is powerful. If you read nothing else on this page thoroughly, please re-read these last two paragraphs and absorb the importance of writing.
One word of caution before you move on—especially for over-achievers. Do not take my words to an extreme. Do not feel as if you must write with magnamity or write on a mile's worth of paper to finish developing your point. Remember the idea of an essay: to state your argument--preferably in the clearest way possible. In the droningly repetitious words of John Mayer, "say what you need to say" with enough supporting detail to clarify your train of thought to a reader.
Work Cited:
"Essay." Microsoft MSN Encarta. 2008. Encarta. 23 December 2008 <http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761551746/Essay.html>.