The Quest for the Best Essay

This essay, despite its title, doesn't claim to be the "best essay". It delves into the question: "What would the best essay be like?" Graham argues that a great essay needs to be about an important topic, uncovering something surprising. He uses Darwin's 1844 essay on natural selection as an example, highlighting how a great essay can unveil significant discoveries. The best essay, according to Graham, wouldn't be about timeless themes, but rather focus on the most impactful scientific or technological discovery at the time.

• A great essay goes beyond well-written prose; it focuses on the surprising revelations it offers.
• The best essay at any given time is likely to be one that describes the most groundbreaking scientific or technological discovery.
• The best essay isn't necessarily timeless; it's about discovering what's new and impactful in the present.

Shifting from the Ideal to the Process

The pursuit of the "best essay" leads Graham to a more practical question: "How do you write essays well?" This shift focuses on the process of essay writing itself. He argues that essay writing is a method of discovering ideas, a process of thinking out loud and refining thoughts through writing. It involves taking vague ideas and turning them into something tangible, then examining and refining them.

• The best essay isn't solely about finding the perfect topic, it's about mastering the art of essay writing.
• Essay writing is a process of discovery, where ideas are explored, refined, and expanded through the act of writing.

The Power of the Initial Question

The initial question, according to Graham, is a crucial element in essay writing. It's not just a grammatical question; it's something that acts as a catalyst for thought and exploration. The initial question shouldn't be chosen at random; it should be driven by a "new insight" or a "way in", something that sparks curiosity and provides an edge to the exploration. The initial question should be "puzzling", something that prompts further investigation.

• Every essay should begin with a question, acting as a point of departure for the exploration of ideas.
• The initial question shouldn't be random; it should be driven by a compelling insight or a unique perspective.
• The initial question should be intriguing, something that stimulates curiosity and invites further investigation.

From Question to Response

Once the initial question is established, the process of essay writing involves thinking out loud, committing to a specific string of words as a response. This response is often flawed or incomplete; it's the first step in a journey toward a more refined understanding. Writing allows us to see the flaws in our initial responses, enabling us to refine them and move towards a more complete understanding. Rereading is a crucial part of this process, allowing us to question and challenge our own ideas.

• The initial response to a question will often be flawed or incomplete, but this is a necessary step in the writing process.
• Rereading is a critical element in essay writing, allowing for critical reflection and refinement of ideas.
• Essay writing is a process of iteration, where ideas are constantly examined, revised, and ultimately improved through the process of writing and rereading.

Exploring Branches and Discovering New Ideas

The act of writing is akin to traversing a tree, where each question has multiple possible responses, and the writer chooses a specific path to follow. The most exciting branches are those that offer the greatest combination of generality and novelty. The process is iterative; if a chosen path proves unproductive, the writer can cut it off and backtrack, exploring other possibilities.

• The writing process resembles traversing a tree, with multiple branches representing different responses to questions.
• Writers should pursue branches that offer the greatest combination of generality and novelty.
• The writing process involves experimentation and revision; if a particular path proves unproductive, writers can cut it off and explore other possibilities.

The Significance of the Initial Question

Graham explores the significance of the initial question, considering if it truly matters in the grand scheme of ideas. He argues that if the space of ideas is highly connected, then one could reach the most valuable ideas from any starting point. However, in essay writing, the goal is to explore uncharted territory, to discover new insights. The initial question sets a boundary, a framework for the exploration.

• The initial question does influence the direction and depth of an essay, even though the space of ideas is interconnected.
• The initial question acts as a starting point, guiding the exploration of ideas within the framework of the chosen topic.
• Essay writing is about venturing into uncharted territory, making discoveries, and shaping new insights, not simply restating established knowledge.

The Role of Outrageous Questions

Graham suggests that outrageous questions, those that are counterintuitive, overambitious, or heterodox, can be particularly fruitful in essay writing. These questions challenge assumptions, stimulate curiosity, and hold the writer's attention. It's about embracing the unconventional, the daring, and the potentially controversial, and allowing those to guide the exploration of ideas.

• Questions that seem "naughty" or "outrageous" can lead to groundbreaking insights and compelling essays.
• Don't shy away from challenging assumptions or exploring unconventional ideas; these can be the foundation for impactful writing.
• Embrace the power of audacious questions to spark curiosity and inspire a deeper exploration of ideas.

Timelessness and the Best Essay

Graham further explores the notion of timelessness in essays. He notes that while art can be timeless, essays, being instructive, lose their novelty as their discoveries become common knowledge. The best essay wouldn't necessarily be timeless in the sense that it's evergreen, but rather it would be about discovering and revealing something new and significant in the present moment.

• Timelessness in essays is a complex concept; while an essay might be about a timeless topic, it won't have the same effect on readers who already know the information.
• The best essay might not be timeless in the traditional sense; it's about discovering and revealing what's new and impactful in the present moment.
• Timelessness in essays is a function of the essay's ability to offer fresh insights and perspectives, even as the world evolves and knowledge changes.

The Importance of Breadth and Depth

To write great essays, Graham emphasizes the importance of breadth and depth in one's intellectual pursuits. Breadth involves learning about diverse topics, exploring different fields and perspectives. Depth, on the other hand, comes from engaging with a subject deeply, solving problems within that domain. He suggests that a good essayist also engages in other forms of work, gaining insights and experiences that inform their writing.

• A good essayist should possess both breadth and depth in their knowledge and experience.
• Breadth involves exploring diverse topics and fields, expanding one's intellectual horizons.
• Depth comes from engaging with a subject deeply, solving problems, and immersing oneself in the intricacies of a particular domain.

The Cycle Continues

The cycle of question and response doesn't end abruptly. It continues until a point of satiation is reached, where the writer, and presumably the reader, have explored enough interesting ground. This doesn't mean stopping the exploration altogether; it's simply a natural pause, a transition to a new starting point, a new initial question.

• The cycle of question and response is iterative, a continuous process of exploration and discovery.
• Satiation is a natural part of the writing process, a point where further exploration might not yield new insights.
• Satiation can also signal a natural transition to a new topic or a new initial question, continuing the cycle of exploration and discovery.

Writing Great Essays: Inspiration and Effort

In conclusion, writing great essays involves a delicate balance of inspiration and effort. The questions, the sparks of curiosity, come from inspiration, while the answers require persistence, refinement, and relentless scrutiny. The initial question sets the stage, but it's the journey of exploration and discovery that ultimately determines the essay's quality.

• Writing great essays requires a combination of inspiration and effort.
• The questions that fuel essay writing come from inspiration, while the answers require persistence, refinement, and dedication.
• The initial question is a starting point, but the journey of exploration and discovery is what ultimately determines the essay's quality.

The Most Important Question

The ultimate question, according to Graham, is "How to get more questions?" This is the heart of the essay, a testament to the insatiable curiosity that drives great writing. It's a reminder that the quest for new ideas, for fresh insights, for the ability to ask powerful questions, is an ongoing journey, a never-ending quest.

• The most important question in essay writing, and perhaps in intellectual pursuits, is "How to get more questions?".
• The quest for new ideas, for fresh insights, for the ability to ask powerful questions, is an ongoing journey.