How To Write A Segmented Essay
A segmented essay weaves together different styles of writing on a common theme and separates them by pauses of blank space. The purpose is to approach the essay indirectly so that the reader receives information in a surprising way with wider reaching effects.
Steps To Writing A Segmented Essay
- Choose a subject - An essay expresses the informed opinion of the author. It is not journalism or a scientific report. Choose something that you know about because it excites you. It will be easier to write about it if you already have a love for the subject.
- Choose a Writing Style – it is advisable to choose at least three different styles of writing. These can be any style of writing, for instance, diary entries, poems, memoir, dream journal entries, descriptive narratives, travelogue, and dialogue between two or more people, encyclopedia entries and anecdotes.
- Write on the subject in various styles of writing – this might take time since it is not a direct essay but approaching a subject with different styles.
- Gather the different writings you have done on the subject and look for a common linking theme between them. Are there any recurring similarities? Does one piece of writing seem to echo or answer a question raised in another? Are there any glaring opposites? Ask yourself these questions while rereading the pieces and mark the links where you see them.
- Cut and paste your gathered writings into a logical sequence separated by paragraph breaks. Choose the best written parts and "braid" them together by putting down one paragraph of one style followed by a different style. Between them, leave space to give the reader a chance to pause and think about them before moving to the next. Try to end with a powerful paragraph that will stick with the reader.