The document discusses the planning stage of writing an essay. It explains that planning is an important first step that should be done quickly to allow more time for research and writing. The planning stage involves developing a schedule that includes researching references, selecting evidence to support points, and using the evidence to develop a thesis statement and outline. An example schedule is provided that outlines researching for one week, selecting evidence the next, developing a thesis the following week, and then writing and revising over subsequent weeks before a deadline.

1. HOW TO WRITE ESSAYS PART 1:
THE PLANNING STAGE

2. The task of writing an essay can truly
be overwhelming. However, you can
do it and succeed in it. You just need
to know how an essay is written. You
can learn the process of writing an
essay and develop your essay writing
skills.

3. 3. WRITING2. RESEARCH1. PLANNING
THE ESSAY WRITING PROCESS

4. Let us start with the PLANNING STAGE.
This stage should be short and quick.
This is because you need to give more
time for the next stages of research
and writing. You can do this over only
one night.

5. PLAN HOW TO DO
– Plan how you can or will carry out the process of writing the
essay. Prepare a schedule of the tasks involved in essay writing as:

6. RESEARCH
– researching for references
– selecting evidences you will use as your supporting points
– developing your thesis (thesis statement) from your
supporting points by organising them into a tentative outline
Summary: Research, Select and Develop (RSD)

7. WRITING
– finalising the outline by finalising the presentation and the
thesis or argument into a thesis statement
– writing initial and final drafts
– proofreading the final draft
Summary: Outline, Write and Proofreading (OWP)

8. Example Plan / Schedule
For example, you can plan your essay writing tasks this way:
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Week 1 today - plan
research for
references
research for
references
research for
references
research for
references
research for
references
Week 2
select
evidences
select evidences develop thesis develop thesis develop thesis
Week 3 write outline
write
outline
write
first draft
write
first draft
Write
first draft
Week 4
write
final draft
proofread submit deadline