Learn about loneliness so you know what you want to communicate. Perhaps you are struck by the irony of how, in this age of increased communication and digital social media, people can still be lonely. Or, maybe you are interested in the causes of loneliness or the effects it can have on a person's life. Try to explore the many facets of loneliness until you find one that interests you more than the others.
Compose a thesis statement once you have chosen a particular aspect of loneliness to write about. Having your thesis clearly defined helps you write more concisely and with better focus.
Create an outline based on your essay parameters, such as word count or number of paragraphs or pages. The most basic essay is one that is comprised of three paragraphs. While it is possible to write an introduction, body and conclusion in fewer than three paragraphs, two paragraphs is awkward for three sections, while one paragraph is too short.
Compose a clear and concise introduction that is compelling enough to entice the reader to continue reading. The introduction is your chance to introduce your reader to your thesis.
Expand on your thesis in the body of the essay. Write each body paragraph in proper paragraph format, with an opening topic sentence, followed by supporting points and concluding with a summary sentence. Ensure that each paragraph makes an individual point.
Write a conclusion that summarizes your main points and creates cohesiveness throughout the entire essay. Ensure that your conclusion emphasizes or summarizes the thesis that you began with, and not some new direction the essay has taken on midway.
List references after the concluding paragraph. Provide complete and accurate information crediting works you have cited in your writing.
Proofread your essay before you submit it. Run a spell-check program. Try reading your essay out loud to engage more than one area of the brain in prose comprehension and grammar review. Correct any mistakes you encounter and proofread again until you find none.