How to Write a Concept Analysis Essay (Sample)
Get Conceptual
Are you looking to write an explorative piece that can really showcase your appetite for thinking outside the box? If so, then writing a conceptual essay is surely the task for you. If you’re the type that ponders the deep questions in life, you can philosophise here. Get conceptual and bring out the best of your skills and critical thinking with a concept essay that entices your readers and lays out some thought-provoking material.
The key to a cracking concept essay is to bring about a touch of personal experiences and intriguing examples. These things are really necessary to make your concept essay shine. Above all, your essay should showcase your creative ability to think around a topic. Use your mind to its full potential and harness your analytical skills to bring about a concept that is as interesting to you as it is to your readers.
Choosing Your Conceptual Topic
Think of the word “conceptual” and you’ll probably come up with a multitude of topics, but some are likely to work more in your favour than others. If you choose a rigid and objective topic, you’ll find it difficult to analyse the concept because it is most likely well defined and set in stone. For example, most niche and defined fields of microbiology won’t do, because science has clearly defined the parts of those fields.
It’s a sensible idea to choose a topic that is open to different interpretations. Something controversial here will do well – you don’t have to take an opinionated stance, but by definition, a controversial topic is one that is heavily discussed and interpreted. Your essay needs to include a definition up for dispute. For example, you could choose to write about freedom – this is an abstract noun which doesn’t have a fixed definition. The terms and ideas of freedom resonate differently between groups of people and the term “freedom” is largely subjective.
Entice Your Readers
Just like a song has a good hook that entices you, your story should also start with a hook to get your audience interested immediately. There are lots of ways that you can get an audience on board – anecdotes, interesting stories, related facts and quotes are great examples of hooks to use in your introduction. You’ll also need to hook your readers’ attention back in towards the end with a neat conclusion.
Thesis Statement
Every good introduction needs a robust thesis statement. A thesis statement should relate to what your essay is all about. It needs to be logical and outline your concept, whilst also engaging with the audience. Make sure that this part of your introduction is air-tight because you’ll want to refer to it at the end of your essay too to help summarise your overall topic.
Put Your Mind on a Plate
...not literally, but make sure you can outline your concept in a professional and interesting way throughout the main body of your work. Go over your concept and make a plan before you do any writing, making sure you consider all the points that can be made around your chosen concept. Without a set plan, you’ll likely wander off into different vistas of thought throughout your essay, making it confusing to read. In the end, you’ll want to take the audience on a conceptual journey, but one that is smooth and easy to follow. Use real-life examples, sources, and the opinions of reputable scholars to help back up your views and add interest.
In summation
So how can you draw upon everything you’ve discussed? Make a brief connection back to your thesis statement and focus on summarising your main points. In the end, you’ll want to leave the reader thinking about your concept, so give your audience a question or idea that will get them thinking.