This document provides instructions for writing a non-fiction essay. It advises the writer to choose a topic they are knowledgeable about through experience or research. An essay should contain facts, opinions, and truth. As an example, the document prompts writing about the War of 1812, starting with a clear opening sentence stating the topic, followed by three supporting points and a paragraph elaborating on each point with details. The goal is to convince the reader the writer knows the topic and what they are writing is true.

1. How to write a non-fiction
essay.

2. Only write about something that you know
about, or have researched about. There’s no
point in writing an essay on something you
don’t know about.

3. An essay is:
Facts. Truth. Opinion.
You need those three things before starting to
write.

4. To practice, let’s write about the War of 1812.

5. Start by writing a short, clear, opening sentence.

6. State clearly, in one short sentence, you will write
about.

7. The War of 1812 was…

8. Some ideas..
The War of 1812 was…

9. Some ideas..
The War of 1812 was…
…a war that should never have been fought.
… a violent, bloody war.
… a war with no clear winner.
… a war that Canada clearly won.
… a war that set the borders in North America.
… the last best chance for North American First Nations to have
their own country.

10. Write your short, clear, first sentence now.

11. Now, let’s choose 3 points that support or back up
what you wrote.

12. Now, let’s choose 3 points that support or back up
what you wrote.
Jot them down in point form.

13. Now, your first paragraph will be four sentences:
The first sentence, then one sentence for each point you
made.

14. Now, your first paragraph will be four sentences:
The first sentence, then one sentence for each point you
made.
Write that paragraph now.

15. Next, comes the real meat of the essay, all the real
writing.

16. You will write three more paragraphs.

17. You will write three more paragraphs.
The first sentence of each paragraph will be one of
your three points, in order.

18. Under each point, you will write two or three
sentences giving more detail, backing up what
you wrote, and making the reader believe that
what you’re writing is true and that you know
what you’re talking about.

19. This should take a good, long while. Take your
time.

20. The last step is the closing paragraph, we’ll talk
about that another day.