The ENEM essay is often the exam's greatest challenge, since it represents a significant part of the final score and requires much more from students than simply writing correctly. To do well, you need to articulate ideas clearly, take a critical position on the topic, construct solid arguments, and present a viable intervention proposal.
To help those preparing for it, we selected 6 tips that can help you write an essay that follows the ENEM rules while remaining clear, creative, and full of good ideas.
1 - Read the Topic Very Carefully
It is not enough simply to identify what it is about; you must understand the instructions—terms such as “analyze,” “discuss,” “propose,” and “argue”—and reflect on the social, cultural, or political context involved. The supporting texts accompanying the prompt are there to help you begin reflecting, but they must not be copied.
Use them as inspiration to create your own ideas, bringing in examples, facts, and opinions that help develop your line of reasoning.
2 - Define Your Thesis Precisely
The thesis is like the heart of the essay, the main idea that will guide the entire text. Every paragraph must be connected to it so that your writing remains coherent and consistent. Avoid overly vague sentences such as “education is important,” because that does not show your real opinion.
Instead, write something that makes clear which problem you want to discuss, who is involved, and what your point of view on the issue is. The more direct and specific your thesis is, the easier it will be to develop strong arguments and keep the essay organized.
3 - Bring References into Your Argument
Do not be afraid to use your cultural repertoire to make your arguments stronger and more convincing. This means bringing in references from different areas, such as current data, historical events, literary works, films, songs, or even concepts from philosophy and sociology.
This information gives more credibility to what you are defending and shows that you possess knowledge beyond school. It is important, however, to use this repertoire carefully: there is no point in citing something just to “pad” the text. Every reference must be directly connected to the topic and serve to reinforce your idea.
4 - Keep Your Ideas Clear and Coherent
A good essay needs a logical sequence of ideas. To achieve this, we use connecting words, which help link sentences and prevent the text from feeling disjointed or confusing. Words such as “thus,” “however,” “in this way,” and “but” are examples that make the text more cohesive.
In addition to being logical, the essay must also be coherent. This means the ideas cannot contradict one another. If you write in a contradictory manner, you will not be able to defend your thesis, and your text will be weak and difficult to understand.
5 - Review Very Carefully
Do not forget to review your text before submitting it. This may seem obvious, but this stage makes a major difference to your score. During your review, check whether your paragraphs are well connected and whether your ideas flow clearly and logically. Also confirm grammatical and spelling accuracy, avoiding errors that could impair understanding.
Take the opportunity to adjust confusing sentences, eliminate unnecessary repetition, and strengthen your arguments. A careful review not only corrects flaws but also helps make your text more convincing and complete, increasing your chances of earning a high score.
6 - Practice Regularly and Strengthen Your Essay Writing
Finally, practice regularly. Try writing essays every week, even on different topics, to gain experience and confidence. After writing, ask teachers or classmates for feedback, or use online platforms that offer corrections and tips.
The more you practice, the easier it will be to identify errors, notice areas that need improvement, and adjust your writing style. Over time, you will find that writing becomes faster, more natural, and more efficient, greatly increasing your chances of earning a good essay score.
