An essay is a statement of reasoned opinion. To write an essay, a person must:
- Have some information.
- Reflect on that information.
- Compare it to other information.
- Add information from other sources.
- Reach a conclusion.
When we say writing an essay requires students to employ critical thinking skills, it’s that list we have in mind. That list doesn’t tell how to write an essay; it only relates the thinking that essay writing entails before the author can begin writing.
