If you read an essay about martial arts online, what would make it a satisfying experience for you? What would you most love to learn? How would you like to feel after having absorbed and digested some upbeat, energetic and engaging martial arts material? Want to create that impression on your reader? Then continue on for Writing about Martial Arts: 10 Tips to Write a Stellar Essay!
If, for example, you’ve decided to write about martial arts for your university degree, these are some of the things to consider when it comes to crafting an essay about the subject.
You really should, first and foremost, be a writer with a huge amount of passion for the subject. If you don’t have this kind of specialized knowledge however, and think you might need a bit of help, you can use professional, essay writing services. The useful thing here is that you can get an assignment composed to your custom, academic requirements.
Back to the topic, for example, do you have knowledge of old school kung fu films? Do you have a specialist love of 80’s, Hong Kong action flicks? Do you know what the Heroic Bloodshed genre is, and the modern development of gun fu? Do you consider the development of martial arts media, including the gaming world and its influence?
What about the traditional martial arts styles such as Chinese kung fu, karate, judo, taekwondo, MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sambo, Krav Maga, boxing or Muay Thai (kickboxing)? These are some of the things to think about when it comes to writing an essay about martial arts.
1. Do Your Research
Start Googling, reading books, watching videos and talking to people, potentially, martial artists who have practised in the past or who are still training today.
You can view many martial arts interviews on YouTube for example and they will help you to digest ample knowledge from reliable sources.
2. Focus on a Specific Subject
Decide what area you’re going to focus on whether it’s the media or entertainment side of kung fu flicks or traditional systems of martial arts theory and practice.
For example, you might want to stick to the purely physical side of fighting, or you might want to talk about the more spiritual elements of Budo. You could even consider Tai Chi and its blend of physical, spiritual and wellness aspects.
Try to also listen to the music used for various practices and soak up the vibrational atmosphere they induce. This will help you quickly become familiar with both the art’s place in society and other important cultural elements.
3. Discuss Why Martial Arts are Important
Spend a good amount of time discussing the whys and wherefores of martial arts and why they’re so beneficial for children and adults of all ages. The mental health aspect -especially today- is high on our global, societal agenda.
4. Explore Martial Arts Values
Martial artists live by a different “warrior code” than the vast majority of people who don’t.
The life of a martial artist should be marked by good character, positivity, consistency in behaviour and mannerisms, as well as giving back to others in terms of encouragement and support.
5. Talk about the Martial Arts Lifestyle
What does the life of a martial artist look like from day to day? From the time a practitioner wakes up until they go to sleep, where do martial arts fit in? Early in the day or later in the evening? How much time would a martial artrist typically spend at a martial arts training gym or dojo?
6. Pros and Cons of Taking up a Martial Art
What are the benefits and drawbacks to taking up a martial art? Do the pros outweigh the cons? Is the preparation time required, the self control and discipline worth the effort?
Does being super fit and healthy, both physically and mentally, whilst developing your potential to the maximum excite you? Draw a line down a sheet of paper or notepad on your PC and start listing these elements out!
7. The Rise of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
The exciting world of MMA is growing rapidly. The UFC, Bellator MMA, One Championship, Cage Warriors and many more promotions show us that there are people who are actually making a living from the sport – so it does propose an interesting type of profession.
In addition, it’s incredible to consider the diversity of talent displayed in the octagon – from the old-school grounded practices of judo and BJJ, to the high-flying and kicking techniques taught in Taekwondo and Muay Thai kickboxing – you have so much to dig into here – and that’s without even talking about the athletes’ personal backstories themselves!
8. Who are Influential Figures in the Arts?
It’s always a good idea to bring up well-known figures in martial arts world, ie. from the entertainment world you have, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Jet Li, Michael Jai White, Scott Adkins, Ray Park, Dolph Lundgren, and Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Talk about their backstories and why they got into their physical disciplines. Nearly everyone can relate to these movie stars, so instant understanding and relatability is an obvious point you’ll want to connect on.
9. Include Video Media Links to Bring the Essay to Life
These days, you’ll want to include YouTube video links to various aspects of martial arts. Videos can be martial arts movie fights, traditional practices (Shaolin kung fu, Judo, Silat, Kali etc), interviews with martial arts masters of different disciplines will also add more credibility to your essay too!
10. Include a Summary of Your Main Points
Finish off your essay by discussing the connection between all your points made, arguing a few of the pros and cons to give the reader (or your university professor) a healthy, well-rounded point of view on the subject so that they can decide for themselves where they stand in relation to the ever-growing worldwide interest in the sport and practise of martial arts.
