February 26, 2025 • 17 mins
Struggling with essay writing? In this episode of The Fluent English Mindset, we break down a foolproof method to structure any essay with ease. The secret? Answering six essential questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. This powerful approach helps you generate ideas, organize your thoughts, and expand your writing effortlessly—before you even realize it, you’ll have several paragraphs completed.We’ll walk through a step-by-step example on the importance of exercise for mental health, showing you exactly how to apply this method to any topic. Plus, we’ll tackle the most important question every essay should answer: Why should the reader care?
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just looking to improve your writing skills, this episode will give you a simple yet effective strategy to make essay writing easier and more impactful. Tune in and transform the way you approach writing!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-fluent-english-mindset-podcast--6526211/support.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just looking to improve your writing skills, this episode will give you a simple yet effective strategy to make essay writing easier and more impactful. Tune in and transform the way you approach writing!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-fluent-english-mindset-podcast--6526211/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Welcome to the Fluent English Mindset from Texas. I'm Matt Pierce.
I'm your host. And if you've ever struggled with writing
an essay starting at the blank page, just setting there
looking confused with this and you're unsure where to begin,
I want to tell you you're not alone. But what
if I told you that writing an essay is as
(00:28):
simple as answering a few key questions. That's right, So
in today's episode, we're going to break down an easy,
fool proof method that can turn any topic into a
well structured and thoughtful essay. The secret to this, well,
it's an old journalism trick. Who what, when, where, why?
(00:54):
And how? Six questions that will help you generate ideas,
structure yours, and make your writing kind of flow naturally.
And here's the best part. Before you even realize that,
you'll have several paragraphs written and you'll be well on
your way to a strong and compelling essay. So grab
a notebook, grab a cup of coffee or tea, take
(01:17):
some notes, and you and I are going to dive
into this topic right now. Okay, so think about it.
This is the essay formula. Answering questions every great essay
(01:38):
answers questions. So when you're writing, your goal is to inform,
or persuade or explain something to your reader. The easiest
way to do this answer the essential questions that every
reader subconsciously wants to know. Now we're going to break
this down one by one. The first question, who the
(02:03):
subject of your essay. Every essay needs a main focus,
So your job as the writer is to introduce the subject.
Who or what is your essay about. Are you discussing
a historical figure, a social issue, a scientific discovery, maybe
even a personal experience. So, for example, let's say we're
(02:27):
writing an essay about the importance of exercise for mental health.
Our first paragraph might sound something like this. Mental health
is a crucial aspect of overall well being, affecting millions
of people worldwide. But did you know that regular exercise
can significantly improve mental health. Studies show that physical activity
(02:53):
can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. But why does
exercise have such a powerful impact on our minds? Let's
explore this further. Boom. In just a few sentence, you've
already introduced the topic and you've grabbed my attention. You see,
(03:13):
it's really not that hard. So now let's move on
to the next part the topic. Okay, so now we're
going to get a little more specific what exactly are
we talking about. This section is where you define key terms,
(03:38):
explain concepts, and introduce background information. Now, continuing with our
example about exercise and mental health, one example paragraph might
be something like this, Exercise refers to any physical activity
that gets your body going, gets your body moving, whether
(03:59):
it's walking, running, swimming, or lifting weights. When people think
of exercise, they often associate it with physical fitness, but
its benefits go far beyond that. Research shows that physical
activity stimulates brain chemicals like endorphins or serotonin, which improved moods,
(04:22):
and it reduces stress. Do you see how answering what
expands our essay? Naturally, so we've already answered who and
what we're talking about. This is at least two paragraphs already.
Now let's move on to the next step. All right,
(04:49):
So now we're going to add some context and we're
going to be talking about when this is relevant. Right,
So are we talking about something that happened in history,
a current event, or an ongoing issue? Ah, that's the question.
An example of this paragraph might be the COVID nineteen pandemic.
(05:12):
Let's talk about the example. The connection between exercise and
mental health has been studied for decades. However, in recent years,
especially during the COVID nineteen pandemic, more people realize the
importance of physical activity for their mental well being. With
the rise of remote work and increased screen time, finding
(05:35):
ways to stay active has never been more crucial. So
now I just provided you with context and timeline. This
helps the reader understand why this topic is important. Right now,
do you see how this is already coming together? All right?
(06:02):
So where is this whole thing happening? Where is it
taking place? Is it discussing a local, a national, or
maybe even a global issue. Does it affect certain groups
of people rather than others. Let's take a look at
this example paragraph. The benefits of exercise on mental health
(06:22):
are seen worldwide. However, in urban areas, where people have
less access to parks and outdoor spaces, staying active can
be more challenging. Meanwhile, in countries that prioritize public health initiatives,
such as Finland and the Netherlands, people experience lower rates
of depression due to a much more active lifestyle. Now
(06:46):
this helps the reader see the bigger picture while also
considering different perspectives, in this case Finland and the Netherlands.
You see what I'm doing here is I'm answering questions.
I've already got my four or maybe even fifth paragraph,
and I'm putting this into a good scope, a good context.
This is going to help, like I say, the reader
(07:09):
see the bigger picture, and it's gonna help you as
a writer. Stay on track. Now we're gonna move into
the next portion. Why the core reason and the importance
of whatever it is that you and I are trying
(07:30):
to convey. Now, this is the heart of the essay.
Why does this topic matter? Why should the reader or
the listener like you even care. Let's talk about that.
I'm gonna give you an example paragraph. Mental health issues
are on the rise, affecting millions of people, regardless of
(07:52):
age or background. While medication in therapy are essential treatments,
exercise provides a free, ex tessible way for people to
improve their mental well being. If more people understood the
power of movement, we could reduce stress, boost happiness, and
create healthier communities. Now, at this point, your essay has
(08:17):
built momentum, It's built force. It's like it's rolling downhill,
but we're not done yet. There's still more that needs
to be done. We have to answer just a few
more simple questions, and we're going to do that right now.
(08:40):
So what about the why. This is where we put
in application and solutions. We're going to focus on practical solutions.
We're giving an opinion. So how does this issue work?
How can we apply this to real life? Let's take
a look at it. Incorporating exercise into daily life doesn't
(09:03):
have to be difficult. Even thirty minutes of walking, yoga,
or stretching can make a difference. Schools and workplaces should
encourage movement breaks, and individuals should find activities they enjoy
to stay consistent. By making small micro changes, we can
all improve our mental health through physical activity. Now, with
(09:28):
this section, we give the reader actionable steps, something that
they can take away from whatever we're saying, and they
can apply it. This is the how of our essay.
You and I have already discussed this. Now you see
how this is coming out to be a well rounded essay.
And we've chewed up a lot of words, and we've
(09:50):
chewed up a lot of space writing. The essay is
not that complicated, but there's just a little bit more
we have to do to missile this home. All right,
So now we're going to focus on the more pivotal question,
(10:13):
the more important question, why should I care? This is
the most important question of all. Every essay, every article,
every journal entry that you make should leave the reader
with a sense of purpose, with urgency, or maybe even
provide a deeper understanding. So let's wrap up our example.
(10:39):
At the end of the day, our mental health is
just as important as our physical health. Exercise is a simple,
yet powerful tool that can help us lead happier, healthier lives.
So the next time you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, consider
taking a walk or doing a quick workout. It might
just change your day for the better. Now, this final
(11:02):
paragraph answers the big question what the reader or listener
should care about, and it leaves a lasting impression. That's
what this whole thing is about, leaving a lasting impression
and getting the reader or listener to focus on what
it is that you're trying to say. Okay, so now
(11:29):
that we've gotten this all put together, you and I
are going to read this whole essay together, and I
want you to listen to how I present this. Mental
health is a crucial aspect of overall well being. It
affects millions of people worldwide. But did you know that
(11:50):
the regular exercise can significantly improve mental health. Studies show
that physical activity can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
But why does exercise have such a powerful impact on
our minds. Let's explore this further. Exercise refers to any
(12:11):
physical activity that goes beyond just sitting somewhere. It gets
your body moving, whether it's walking, running, swimming, or lifting weights.
It doesn't matter. When people think of exercise, they often
associate it with physical fitness, but its benefits go far
beyond that. Research shows that physical activity stimulates brain chemicals
(12:36):
like endorphins and serotonin. This improves your mood and reduces stress. Now,
the connection between exercise and mental health has been studied
for decades. However, in recent years, especially during the COVID
nineteen pandemic, more people have realized the importance of physical
(12:56):
activity for their mental well being. With the right of
remote work and increased screen time, finding ways to stay
active has never been more crucial. The benefits of exercise
on mental health are seen worldwide. However, in urban areas
where people have less access to parks and outdoor spaces,
(13:18):
staying active can often be more challenging. In countries that
prioritize public health initiatives, like Finland and the Netherlands, people
experience lower rates of depression due to a more active lifestyle. Now,
mental health issues are on the rise, and they affect
millions of people, regardless of age or background. While medication
(13:41):
and therapy are essential treatments, exercise provides a free, accessible
way for people to improve their mental well being. If
more people understood the power of movement, we could reduce stress,
boost happiness, and create healthier communities. Incorporating exercise into our
(14:02):
daily life doesn't have to be difficult. Even thirty minutes
of walking, yoga, or stretching can make a big difference.
Schools in workplaces should encourage movement breaks, and individuals should
find activities that they enjoy in order to stay consistent.
By making small changes, we can all improve our mental
(14:24):
health through physical activity. At the end of the day,
our mental health is just as important as our physical health.
Exercise is a simple, yet powerful tool that can help
us lead happier and healthier lives. So the next time
your feelings stressed or overwhelmed, consider taking a walk or
doing a quick workout. It might just change your day
(14:47):
for the better. That's how we do it, my friends.
It's really not that difficult. Okay, there you have it.
So writing an essay is as simple as answering some questions.
By using the who, what, when, where, why, and how method,
(15:13):
you create a clear, structured, and engaging essay without overthinking it.
So here's a quick recap of the process. Step number one,
who are you talking about? Introduce your topic? Number two? What?
Define the key terms and explain them when, provide context
(15:35):
and relevance Where? Explain where this issue applies? Five Why?
Show why it matters? Number four or number six? Excuse me? How?
Offer solutions or applications? And finally, why should we care?
(15:56):
Leave the reader with a lasting impact. You to try
this method with any essay topic. I guarantee you that
your writing will become clear and more persuasive and easier
to complete. Now I've got a challenge for you. Pick
a random topic and try answering these six questions. You're
(16:16):
going to be really surprised just how quickly your ideas
develop and how quickly you can write an essay that's informative,
give your opinion, and keeps the reader engaged. This is
how we do it. This is how I do it
every single day as a journalist. All right, that's all
(16:42):
for today. So I hope you've enjoyed this. Be sure
to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends.
Keep writing, keep learning, and I'm going to see you
on the next episode of the Fluent English Mindset from Texas.
I'm Matt Pierce. You next time, mm hmm.
Welcome to the Fluent English Mindset from Texas. I'm Matt Pierce.
I'm your host. And if you've ever struggled with writing
an essay starting at the blank page, just setting there
looking confused with this and you're unsure where to begin,
I want to tell you you're not alone. But what
if I told you that writing an essay is as
(00:28):
simple as answering a few key questions. That's right, So
in today's episode, we're going to break down an easy,
fool proof method that can turn any topic into a
well structured and thoughtful essay. The secret to this, well,
it's an old journalism trick. Who what, when, where, why?
(00:54):
And how? Six questions that will help you generate ideas,
structure yours, and make your writing kind of flow naturally.
And here's the best part. Before you even realize that,
you'll have several paragraphs written and you'll be well on
your way to a strong and compelling essay. So grab
a notebook, grab a cup of coffee or tea, take
(01:17):
some notes, and you and I are going to dive
into this topic right now. Okay, so think about it.
This is the essay formula. Answering questions every great essay
(01:38):
answers questions. So when you're writing, your goal is to inform,
or persuade or explain something to your reader. The easiest
way to do this answer the essential questions that every
reader subconsciously wants to know. Now we're going to break
this down one by one. The first question, who the
(02:03):
subject of your essay. Every essay needs a main focus,
So your job as the writer is to introduce the subject.
Who or what is your essay about. Are you discussing
a historical figure, a social issue, a scientific discovery, maybe
even a personal experience. So, for example, let's say we're
(02:27):
writing an essay about the importance of exercise for mental health.
Our first paragraph might sound something like this. Mental health
is a crucial aspect of overall well being, affecting millions
of people worldwide. But did you know that regular exercise
can significantly improve mental health. Studies show that physical activity
(02:53):
can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. But why does
exercise have such a powerful impact on our minds? Let's
explore this further. Boom. In just a few sentence, you've
already introduced the topic and you've grabbed my attention. You see,
(03:13):
it's really not that hard. So now let's move on
to the next part the topic. Okay, so now we're
going to get a little more specific what exactly are
we talking about. This section is where you define key terms,
(03:38):
explain concepts, and introduce background information. Now, continuing with our
example about exercise and mental health, one example paragraph might
be something like this, Exercise refers to any physical activity
that gets your body going, gets your body moving, whether
(03:59):
it's walking, running, swimming, or lifting weights. When people think
of exercise, they often associate it with physical fitness, but
its benefits go far beyond that. Research shows that physical
activity stimulates brain chemicals like endorphins or serotonin, which improved moods,
(04:22):
and it reduces stress. Do you see how answering what
expands our essay? Naturally, so we've already answered who and
what we're talking about. This is at least two paragraphs already.
Now let's move on to the next step. All right,
(04:49):
So now we're going to add some context and we're
going to be talking about when this is relevant. Right,
So are we talking about something that happened in history,
a current event, or an ongoing issue? Ah, that's the question.
An example of this paragraph might be the COVID nineteen pandemic.
(05:12):
Let's talk about the example. The connection between exercise and
mental health has been studied for decades. However, in recent years,
especially during the COVID nineteen pandemic, more people realize the
importance of physical activity for their mental well being. With
the rise of remote work and increased screen time, finding
(05:35):
ways to stay active has never been more crucial. So
now I just provided you with context and timeline. This
helps the reader understand why this topic is important. Right now,
do you see how this is already coming together? All right?
(06:02):
So where is this whole thing happening? Where is it
taking place? Is it discussing a local, a national, or
maybe even a global issue. Does it affect certain groups
of people rather than others. Let's take a look at
this example paragraph. The benefits of exercise on mental health
(06:22):
are seen worldwide. However, in urban areas, where people have
less access to parks and outdoor spaces, staying active can
be more challenging. Meanwhile, in countries that prioritize public health initiatives,
such as Finland and the Netherlands, people experience lower rates
of depression due to a much more active lifestyle. Now
(06:46):
this helps the reader see the bigger picture while also
considering different perspectives, in this case Finland and the Netherlands.
You see what I'm doing here is I'm answering questions.
I've already got my four or maybe even fifth paragraph,
and I'm putting this into a good scope, a good context.
This is going to help, like I say, the reader
(07:09):
see the bigger picture, and it's gonna help you as
a writer. Stay on track. Now we're gonna move into
the next portion. Why the core reason and the importance
of whatever it is that you and I are trying
(07:30):
to convey. Now, this is the heart of the essay.
Why does this topic matter? Why should the reader or
the listener like you even care. Let's talk about that.
I'm gonna give you an example paragraph. Mental health issues
are on the rise, affecting millions of people, regardless of
(07:52):
age or background. While medication in therapy are essential treatments,
exercise provides a free, ex tessible way for people to
improve their mental well being. If more people understood the
power of movement, we could reduce stress, boost happiness, and
create healthier communities. Now, at this point, your essay has
(08:17):
built momentum, It's built force. It's like it's rolling downhill,
but we're not done yet. There's still more that needs
to be done. We have to answer just a few
more simple questions, and we're going to do that right now.
(08:40):
So what about the why. This is where we put
in application and solutions. We're going to focus on practical solutions.
We're giving an opinion. So how does this issue work?
How can we apply this to real life? Let's take
a look at it. Incorporating exercise into daily life doesn't
(09:03):
have to be difficult. Even thirty minutes of walking, yoga,
or stretching can make a difference. Schools and workplaces should
encourage movement breaks, and individuals should find activities they enjoy
to stay consistent. By making small micro changes, we can
all improve our mental health through physical activity. Now, with
(09:28):
this section, we give the reader actionable steps, something that
they can take away from whatever we're saying, and they
can apply it. This is the how of our essay.
You and I have already discussed this. Now you see
how this is coming out to be a well rounded essay.
And we've chewed up a lot of words, and we've
(09:50):
chewed up a lot of space writing. The essay is
not that complicated, but there's just a little bit more
we have to do to missile this home. All right,
So now we're going to focus on the more pivotal question,
(10:13):
the more important question, why should I care? This is
the most important question of all. Every essay, every article,
every journal entry that you make should leave the reader
with a sense of purpose, with urgency, or maybe even
provide a deeper understanding. So let's wrap up our example.
(10:39):
At the end of the day, our mental health is
just as important as our physical health. Exercise is a simple,
yet powerful tool that can help us lead happier, healthier lives.
So the next time you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, consider
taking a walk or doing a quick workout. It might
just change your day for the better. Now, this final
(11:02):
paragraph answers the big question what the reader or listener
should care about, and it leaves a lasting impression. That's
what this whole thing is about, leaving a lasting impression
and getting the reader or listener to focus on what
it is that you're trying to say. Okay, so now
(11:29):
that we've gotten this all put together, you and I
are going to read this whole essay together, and I
want you to listen to how I present this. Mental
health is a crucial aspect of overall well being. It
affects millions of people worldwide. But did you know that
(11:50):
the regular exercise can significantly improve mental health. Studies show
that physical activity can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
But why does exercise have such a powerful impact on
our minds. Let's explore this further. Exercise refers to any
(12:11):
physical activity that goes beyond just sitting somewhere. It gets
your body moving, whether it's walking, running, swimming, or lifting weights.
It doesn't matter. When people think of exercise, they often
associate it with physical fitness, but its benefits go far
beyond that. Research shows that physical activity stimulates brain chemicals
(12:36):
like endorphins and serotonin. This improves your mood and reduces stress. Now,
the connection between exercise and mental health has been studied
for decades. However, in recent years, especially during the COVID
nineteen pandemic, more people have realized the importance of physical
(12:56):
activity for their mental well being. With the right of
remote work and increased screen time, finding ways to stay
active has never been more crucial. The benefits of exercise
on mental health are seen worldwide. However, in urban areas
where people have less access to parks and outdoor spaces,
(13:18):
staying active can often be more challenging. In countries that
prioritize public health initiatives, like Finland and the Netherlands, people
experience lower rates of depression due to a more active lifestyle. Now,
mental health issues are on the rise, and they affect
millions of people, regardless of age or background. While medication
(13:41):
and therapy are essential treatments, exercise provides a free, accessible
way for people to improve their mental well being. If
more people understood the power of movement, we could reduce stress,
boost happiness, and create healthier communities. Incorporating exercise into our
(14:02):
daily life doesn't have to be difficult. Even thirty minutes
of walking, yoga, or stretching can make a big difference.
Schools in workplaces should encourage movement breaks, and individuals should
find activities that they enjoy in order to stay consistent.
By making small changes, we can all improve our mental
(14:24):
health through physical activity. At the end of the day,
our mental health is just as important as our physical health.
Exercise is a simple, yet powerful tool that can help
us lead happier and healthier lives. So the next time
your feelings stressed or overwhelmed, consider taking a walk or
doing a quick workout. It might just change your day
(14:47):
for the better. That's how we do it, my friends.
It's really not that difficult. Okay, there you have it.
So writing an essay is as simple as answering some questions.
By using the who, what, when, where, why, and how method,
(15:13):
you create a clear, structured, and engaging essay without overthinking it.
So here's a quick recap of the process. Step number one,
who are you talking about? Introduce your topic? Number two? What?
Define the key terms and explain them when, provide context
(15:35):
and relevance Where? Explain where this issue applies? Five Why?
Show why it matters? Number four or number six? Excuse me? How?
Offer solutions or applications? And finally, why should we care?
(15:56):
Leave the reader with a lasting impact. You to try
this method with any essay topic. I guarantee you that
your writing will become clear and more persuasive and easier
to complete. Now I've got a challenge for you. Pick
a random topic and try answering these six questions. You're
(16:16):
going to be really surprised just how quickly your ideas
develop and how quickly you can write an essay that's informative,
give your opinion, and keeps the reader engaged. This is
how we do it. This is how I do it
every single day as a journalist. All right, that's all
(16:42):
for today. So I hope you've enjoyed this. Be sure
to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends.
Keep writing, keep learning, and I'm going to see you
on the next episode of the Fluent English Mindset from Texas.
I'm Matt Pierce. You next time, mm hmm.
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