The word “Essay” means attempt. So an essay must always be the attempt of the writer to express his own thoughts, ideas and feelings.

The students must never forget that his essay must be an expression of his own mind. What the lyric is to poetry, that the essay in prose. In its own way an essay is as much a work of art as a picture is. Like a picture it must have unity of design, proportion of parts and consistency of coloring.

If it does not possess the character of artistic unity, it is not a true essay.