1. Writing
an
Essay
Step
1:
Understanding
the
assignment
Read
the
assignment
thoroughly,
highlighting
the
specific
requirements.
Make
sure
you
have
a
thorough
understanding
of
what
your
teacher
is
expecting.
Step
2:
Select
a
topic
If
a
specific
topic
has
been
assigned,
great!
You
can
skip
this
step.
Otherwise,
choose
something
that
stands
out
or
is
interesting
to
you.
Make
sure
it
is
relevant
to
the
assignment,
i.e.,
“answers
the
question.”
The
topic
can
start
out
broad,
but
it
will
be
narrowed
to
a
specific
argument
later.
Step
3:
Gather
evidence
Read
through
your
source(s).
As
you
read,
highlight
anything
relevant
to
your
topic.
When
you
finish,
read
through
everything
you've
highlighted.
(For
English
classes:
do
close
readings
of
everything
you’ve
highlighted.)
This
is
your
evidence.
Step
4:
Create
your
argument
Now
you'll
want
to
narrow
your
topic
to
a
very
specific
argument.
Figure
out
what
your
evidence
points
to
and
shape
your
argument
around
it.
You
must
have
evidence
to
support
every
aspect
of
it,
so
narrow
it
down
to
whatever
you
have
the
most
(and
the
most
convincing)
evidence
for.
You
may
need
to
modify
your
topic,
or
change
the
argument
you
had
in
mind
if
there
is
more
compelling
evidence
for
a
different
one.
Typically,
especially
in
lower
level
classes,
there
should
be
three
main
points
to
the
argument.
(Higher
levels:
make
your
argument
something
debatable;
not
something
obvious.
Try
to
explain
the
significance
of
the
argument
for
the
reader.)
Step
5:
Make
an
outline
Making
an
outline
is
crucial
to
writing
a
coherent,
well-­‐structured
essay,
and
makes
it
one
hundred
times
easier
to
do!!
I. Intro
paragraph:
Briefly
introduce
your
topic
(Higher
levels:
find
a
creative
way
to
grab
your
reader’s
attention).
You
should
write
out
your
intro
and
thesis
in
complete
sentences
in
your
outline.
a. Thesis:
Your
intro
paragraph
should
end
with
your
thesis
statement.
This
single
sentence
will
summarize
your
entire
argument.
Extra

2. attention
should
be
paid
to
your
thesis
statement.
This
is
what
teachers
will
be
looking
at
specifically
to
figure
out
your
argument,
so
it
needs
to
be
very
clear
and
direct.
II. Body
paragraph
#1:
a. Topic
sentence:
Introduces
part
1
of
your
overall
argument.
In
your
outline,
all
of
your
topic
sentences
should
consist
of
one
sentence
that
briefly
touches
on
all
of
the
points
you
will
make
in
that
paragraph.
i. Evidence
(For
higher
levels,
especially
English
classes:
Use
quotes
in
as
much
of
your
evidence
as
possible,
and
cite
the
sources.
This
creates
credibility
for
your
argument.
Put
the
quotes
in
your
outline.
Be
sure
to
include
the
context
of
the
quotes.)
ii. Evidence
iii. Evidence
III. Body
paragraph
#2
a. Topic
sentence:
Introduces
part
2
of
your
overall
argument
i. Evidence
ii. Evidence
iii. Evidence
IV. Body
paragraph
#3
a. Topic
sentence:
Introduces
part
3
of
your
overall
argument
i. Evidence
ii. Evidence
iii. Evidence
V. More
body
paragraphs
as
needed,
depending
on
the
length
of
the
assignment,
the
complexity
of
the
argument,
the
difficulty
level
of
the
class,
etc.
VI. Summary/conclusion:
Summarize
your
main
points
in
the
same
order
you
explained
them
(similar
to
thesis).
Try
to
draw
a
new
overall
conclusion
or
explain
the
significance
of
your
argument.
This
paragraph
should
be
written
in
complete
sentences
in
your
outline.
Step
6:
Write
the
essay
Write
each
paragraph
in
turn.
This
should
be
easy
now
that
you
have
a
clear,
coherent
structure
for
your
essay!
You
can
literally
copy
and
paste
your
intro
paragraph,
conclusion,
and
topic
sentences.
Create
complete
sentences
to

3. demonstrate
your
evidence.
Be
sure
to
add
transitions
between
pieces
of
evidence
and
between
paragraphs.
Step
7:
Edit
Read
once
through.
Fix
any
grammar/spelling
mistakes
you
see.
Take
a
break.
Once
your
mind
is
rested,
reread.
Fix
any
more
mistakes.
Make
sure
the
essay
flows
coherently
from
one
topic
to
the
next.
You
may
need
to
rearrange
pieces
of
evidence
or
even
whole
paragraphs
to
make
it
flow
better.
Read
again,
and
make
sure
it
sounds
natural.
Teachers
would
rather
you
not
use
impressive
words
if
they
make
the
sentence
sound
awkward.
Do
not
use
any
words
you
aren't
certain
you
are
using
correctly!
If
you
struggle
with
grammar,
read
it
aloud
to
yourself
to
make
sure
it
sounds
correct.
If
you
struggle
with
spelling,
read
it
backward,
word
by
word,
to
highlight
each
word
individually
so
you
can
focus
on
its
spelling.
When
you
think
it
is
ready,
have
someone
else
read
it
for
you
and
point
out
any
awkwardness
or
mistakes
that
stand
out
to
him/her
(it
always
helps
to
have
a
fresh
pair
of
eyes).
If
you
make
any
new
changes,
make
sure
to
read
it
over
again
before
submitting
it.