How to Write Mini Essays

Steps

1. One concept only
2. 100 to 500 words - short, low commitment
3. Use tags, folders, references
4. Always cite or link sources
5. Avoid personal anecdotes

Steps for Research Essay

1. Loose definition in 1-2 sentences
2. Provide background (historical period, cultural context, etc)
3. Personal analysis
4. Further implications or questions
5. Tangents on related concepts

Techniques

1. Hooks:
   1. Bold statement
   2. Emotional language
   3. Open with question reader wants answered
   4. Drop into middle of a story or action
   5. Or, start with story and switch to informative in second half
2. Conclusion: distill big idea into final message
3. Descriptive titles (like ‘productivity myths’)

How to use after

1. Connect two discrete ideas or concepts and try to find the connection
2. Mini essays are basically a note, a philosophical idea

Why write mini essays

1. Improves writing and analysis
2. Archives research and reading
3. Slows you down and helps you digest information
4. Helps with discerning good info from bad

Odysseus How to get smart again: Writing mini research essays