Look at this web site for a basic introduction. Work through the pages.
Hints from NPK!
Think of an essay title as a party invitation! It tells you where to go and it tells you when to arrive (the deadline) There is no point in turning up at the wrong place (not doing what the title says) or at the wrong time (missing the deadline)
Before the party you need to research how to get to the venue or you will wandering around lost (writing a waffley essay that fails to impress anyone). You might use a number of different resources to get the information you need. You also need to be sure about what sort of a party it is. No-one enjoys turning up in fancy dress when you have been invited to a white tie event! This means make sure you know what is expected of you and how it will be assessed.
Once you have collected the information you need you can plan your evening. At a sensible time go and pick up your date. Tell her/ him where you are going and how you will get there. Make sure they know why and where you are going and which route you are taking or they might get scared and think that you are taking them somewhere they don’t want to go or that you don’t know what you are doing! (The date is your reader and you explain where the essay is going in the introduction )
Head to the party, noting points of interest along the way, keeping your date entertained but making sure all the points of interest are leading you in the right direction!
Now you are there! Go into the party and introduce your date to the people at the party and make the customary small talk about how you got there. Make sure your date knows they have arrived! This is the conclusion of your essay.