Read essays to get a sense of their structure and the demands of the format. There are many ways to write an essay, but, by reading a wide variety of authors and many publications, you will begin to see common aspects of essays that go beyond content and form. You may also find some inspiration for your own essay: If you come across a format you like (for example, a personal essay presented as a numbered list), you can attempt to write your essay in a similar style.
An essay often begins with an anecdote to hook the reader and introduce the topic. This should be a specific story, something you experienced that will act as a starting point. The next step is to take that anecdote and develop it into a broader idea or thesis. For example, an essay that begins with a story about noticing an architectural detail in a certain city might move forward with the broader concept of exploring the hidden facets of familiar places.
An important consideration in getting an essay published is to make sure you are submitting your best work. Never submit an unedited first draft. Revise and improve it and have your colleagues read your work and make suggestions. Write at least two drafts before you begin to submit the piece for publication. You should also copy-edit your essay for correct grammar and punctuation. These steps will ensure that your essay is as polished and professional as it can be.
Many magazines, including literary journals and consumer magazines that you may see on newsstands, publish personal essays, so it is important to research a publication before submitting an essay to its editors. Make sure the publication accepts unsolicited submissions and that it publishes the type of essay you have written. For example, if you have written an essay about a religious experience, you will likely have more success with a magazine that focuses exclusively on this type of content than with general-interest magazines.
Read the publication's guidelines for submissions. Most magazines will list these guidelines on their websites, often under "Submissions." These guidelines provide information as to whether a magazine accepts submissions, whether submissions should be sent by regular mail or email, and requirements for length and content. It is important to read these guidelines so that you don't waste time, effort and resources submitting your article in an incorrect format or to the wrong type of publication.