Steps for Preparing your Essay
1. Pre-writing: Record your ideas. Create a word web to brainstorm ideas that
come to you.
2. Research information: list sources (textbook, online, study guides) and make
notes to fill out your ideas.
3.
Organize and prioritize information from sources: create outline or graphic
organizer.
4. Complete essay preparation workspace below.
5.
Write rough draft using the essay writing guidelines.
6.
Peer evaluation: have another student read your writing and give feedback.
7.
Make revisions. Use the writer’s checklist.
8.
Write your final draft.
Writer’s Checklist
A. Focus on the main idea of your writing and think about your audience
B. Support your main idea with interesting facts and details.
C. Organize your ideas in a logical sequence that best communicates what
you are trying to say.
D. Vary the length and structure of your sentences.
E. Know the meanings of the words you choose, and use them correctly.
F. Check the basics: capitalization, punctuation, spelling.
G. Use your best handwriting for the final copy (or type it).
Essay preparation workspace:
Essay Question:
The central idea of this paper is that...
I will develop this idea by...
I will conclude that...
Mr. Bradshaw
Methods of Development:
comparing
contrasting
giving causes of
classifying
describing
giving the effects of
giving examples of
defining
explaining the process of
Essay Writing Guidelines
Introduction
State the thesis of the paper: Do not quote question verbatim. Rework it so it is in
your own words.
Follow the thesis with a sentence or two that links the thesis with your major points.
Do not mention specifics yet.
Body
Write a topic sentence connecting the thesis with the first paragraph.
Next, support the point with evidence.
Provide specific reasons and explanations in logical order until the point is clearly
made. Use transitions to unify the paragraph.
Sample Transition words:
Consequently
Therefore
Because of
As a result
Rather
Nonetheless
Nevertheless
Notwithstanding
Furthermore
In addition to
Also
Finally, reinforce all that has been said in the paragraph with a summary sentence.
Repeat the same process for additional body paragraphs making sure that each one
is smoothly connected to the thesis and/or the preceding paragraph.
Conclusion
1. A simple conclusion restates the thesis to bring the reader back to the main
point.
2. A mature conclusion infers – what can you conclude or indicate directly or
indirectly from your data?
3. A mature conclusion extends – how far can we take this idea? What can we
infer or predict?
Mr. Bradshaw