How can I begin an essay if I don't know what to write?

Writing is often a challenging task; this is even more so when time is of the essence.

When you don't know where to begin, it helps to determine what you want to write about. Decide what the subject of your essay will be. If this is a free-style essay, the sky's the limit where subjects are concerned. Let's say your subject is second-hand cigarette smoke. Take a stance on your subject; this will be the basis of your thesis statement.

A thesis statement basically explains in one or two sentences what you believe about second-hand smoke. Such a statement is extremely important, not only because it tells your readers where you are headed with your arguments, it also keeps you from going off in tangents as you proceed through your paragraphs. Think of your thesis statement as a guide, an invaluable one.

To return to the subject of second-hand smoke, your feelings about such a topic can range from negative/positive to ambivalent. Let's say that your feelings about second-hand smoke are negative. This alone will decide how you craft your thesis statement.  Let's take a look at two:

1)All students should learn about the dangers of second-hand smoke so that they do not become susceptible to lung cancer.

2)Second-hand smoke is injurious to health, and cigarettes should be banned on college/school campuses.

Now, the thesis statement is just one or two sentences in your first paragraph. What will you write for the rest of your paragraph? Your teacher may have taught you to use 'hooks' at the very beginning of your essay; this can be an interesting quote, a personal anecdote/story, or some reference to a news story about second-hand smoke. Your thesis statement can be inserted towards the end of your first paragraph.

If your teacher has given you a prompt, begin to study what the prompt asks for. Is it asking you to compare and contrast between two different ideas, characters, or novels? Does the prompt ask for an analysis of a particular work? Either way, the first thing to do is to decide how you feel about the prompt and what your eventual stance about the prompt will be (this is where you form your thesis statement). The subject of your prompt may be Shakespeare's Macbeth and the prompt may ask you to analyze whether Lady Macbeth or her husband is more culpable for King Duncan's death.

If you think that Lady Macbeth is more responsible for Duncan's death, say this in your thesis statement. But, write your thesis statement in such a way that there will be room for argument. For example,

'Lady Macbeth is more responsible for King Duncan's death because she is more treacherous, corrupt, and ruthless than Macbeth.'

You can begin your first paragraph by briefly highlighting three or more instances where you think Lady Macbeth proved more treacherous, corrupt, and ruthless than her husband. Your thesis statement can be inserted towards the end your first paragraph, if you like. The body of your essay will concentrate on discussing in greater detail your main points in the first paragraph. End your essay by introducing some counter-arguments and refuting those. That's one way to write!