Quick tips on how to write a thematic essay when you lack time

Unlike process essays, writing a thematic essay is an absolute ton of work. Also unlike a process essay, you will be much more constricted due to the fact you have a predetermined topic to write on. The tone you use in your thematic essay is expected to be professional—or at least serious enough for academic setting.

Pick your direction

Start by examining the topic or the question of the thematic essay. What do you know about it? Write it all down as this will be useful when you actually start to write the essay. Since it's impossible to incorporate everything you know into a single essay, you will have to choose an approach or angle from which to write.

Identify the angle that gives you the most material for the essay and use it. This part of the essay planning is worth every second you spend on it since it will help you avoid redoing the entire thing when you come half way through and realize you have nothing else to say about the topic.

The intro

Form three major parts of an essay: introduction, body and conclusion. Introduction is fairly easy, as it can contain well-known facts and opinions. You don't have to deviate from the general discussion in your introduction. Make it the total length of about one-fourth of the entire essay length.

The thesis

Body is where the majority of your work is. The focus of the teacher will also be on the body, so make sure it shines. Here, you will elaborate on everything you know on the topic and display your angle—the same one you planned before you started writing. You need to make the body naturally connect with the introduction and lead into the final part of your essay, the conclusion.

The conclusion

In the conclusion part of the essay, you will have to take a side. If you have an opinion on the topic, present it again. If not, it's time to form one quickly. Ideally you want to start the introduction of an essay with a thought that you will come back to in the conclusion. This is obviously best done after you've changed the point of view of the reader with the material in the body. In reality, this would require more planning than is realistically possible.