The document provides guidance on planning a writing assignment in three main steps: 1) Choose a specific, narrow topic that is approved by the teacher to outline the key points in the paper. 2) Create an outline with a thesis statement followed by supporting details and paragraphs to back them up. 3) Learn how to properly cite any sources used in the paper and use tools like Microsoft Word to easily insert citations. Following these steps can help writers effectively structure and plan their paper before beginning to write.

1. PLANNING YOUR WRITING Diane Labut

2. CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC
Make sure it is specific to class purpose
Get approval from teacher
Narrow topic
Biggest mistake is too broad
Makes for very scattered paper
Makes promises you cannot keep
Photo by Flickr user Archer Photo Used under Creative Commons License

3. BEFORE WRITING YOUR TOPIC
Outline
1. Thesis Statement (paragraph
one)
a. Supporting Detail One (paragraph
two)
1) Back up material (paragraph three)
2) Back up material (paragraph four)
b. Supporting Detail Two (paragraph
five)
1) Back up material (paragraph six)
2) Back up material (paragraph seven)
What are the guidelines?
What type?
Informational
Persuasive
Critique
Length of paper
How much should you write?
How can I plan for length?
 Know Paragraph Layouts
 Purdue Owl – Great Resource

4. STEP 1: OUTLINE
1. Thesis Statement (paragraph one)
a. Supporting Detail One (paragraph two)
1) Back up material (paragraph three)
2) Back up material (paragraph four)
b. Supporting Detail Two (paragraph five)
1) Back up material (paragraph six)
2) Back up material (paragraph seven)
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3 (2/3)
Re-read thesis paragraph to check if a and b covered
everything you told your reader you would. Add a c if required.
2. Summary (paragraph eight)

5. STEP 2: LEARN TO CITE SOURCES
• Did you know?
• Word (latest 2
versions) helps cite
sources
• Click on References
• Choose Style
• Insert Citation
• Add New Source
• Fill in Blanks
• Using Mel.org Cites
Sources