This document provides guidance on the key stages of essay writing including planning, layout, organization, editing, and general considerations. The planning stage involves brainstorming ideas and finding evidence to support points. Essays should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The body should have a paragraph devoted to each main idea. Editing should check for clarity, coherence, language mistakes, and appropriate style. General tips include using present tense and acknowledging sources. The most important thing is developing your own response to the text while supporting it with evidence.