Essay在英语中的意思是：散文；(作为课程作业，学生写的)文章，短文；(用来刊登的)论说文；小品文；企图；尝试；企图；试图。
在英语句子中，essay可以这么用：
1、 This essay is just not good enough.这篇散文实在是不够好；The essay was a meaningless jumble of ideas.这篇散文思想混乱，使人不知所云。
2、 The essay represents a solid week's work.这篇文章是用整整一星期写出来的；Your essay does not address the real issues.你的论文没有论证实质问题。
3、 Choose an essay topic that you can really get your teeth into.选择一个你可以真正悉心钻研的论文题目。There are too many mistakes in this essay.这篇文章错误太多。
4、 Not enough thought has gone into this essay.这篇文章很肤浅。The title of the essay bore little relation to the contents.这篇文章的题目与内容很不相符。
5、 Your essay needs structure.你这篇文章组织不好。I'm afraid this essay is a poor effort.很抱歉，这篇文章写得不好。
6、 The points you make are fine, but the whole essay lacks coherence.你提出的论点很好，但整篇文章缺乏呼应连贯。You should draw up a plan or outline for the essay.你应该为文章草拟个计划或提纲。
7、 She made several minor amendments to her essay.她对自己的论文作了几处小的修改。She got top marks for her essay.她的论文得了最高分。
8、 The essay contains a number of factual errors.文章中有一些与事实不符的错误。The exam consists of an essay and an unseen translation.考试包括一篇作文和一篇即席翻译。