Writing Strategies
Basic Argument
Organization Exercise
Editing Strategies
Tutoring Center
Dr. Marsha Urban
Writing Essays
Tutoring Center
The Basic Argument
SUPPORTING FACTS
CITATION
Tutoring Center
If you forget one piece, the
argument fails.
Tutoring Center
Organization Exercise
Tutoring Center
Essay Organization Exercise
1.
When the first draft
of your essay is
complete,
summarize each of
your paragraphs
on a separate
piece of paper.
•
•
For each paragraph
there should be a
one-sentence
summary.
Be sure to mark the
paragraph number
in the left margin,
i.e. ¶ 1.
Tutoring Center
¶ 1 Summary of paragraph 1.
¶ 2 Summary of paragraph 2.
¶ 3 Summary of paragraph 3.
¶ 4 Summary of paragraph 4.
¶ 5 Summary of paragraph 5.
¶ 6 Summary of paragraph 6.
¶ 7 Summary of paragraph 7.
¶ 8 Summary of paragraph 8.
Step 2: Cut the paper so each summary
is on one slip of paper
¶ 1 Summary of paragraph
¶ 1 Summary of paragraph 1.
¶ 2 Summary of paragraph 2.
¶ 3 Summary of paragraph 3.
¶ 4 Summary of paragraph 4.
¶ 3 Summary of paragraph
¶ 4 Summary of paragraph
¶ 5 Summary of paragraph 5.
¶ 6 Summary of paragraph 6.
¶ 7 Summary of paragraph 7.
¶ 6 Summary of paragraph
¶ 8 Summary of paragraph 8.
¶ 7 Summary of paragraph
Tutoring Center
Step 3: Fold each slip so you cannot see
which paragraph each summary belongs to.
Tutoring Center
Step 4: Mix up the slips of
paper.
Summary of paragraph
Tutoring Center
Step 5: Read each sentence and put them in an order
in which they flow from one to another.
Summary of paragraph
Summary of paragraph
Summary of paragraph
Summary of paragraph
Summary of paragraph
Summary of paragraph
Summary of paragraph
Summary of paragraph
Tutoring Center
Step 6: Unfold the slips so you can see
the paragraph numbers
¶ 1 Summary of paragraph
If the numbers are
in the correct order
then,
CONGRATULATIONS,
your essay is
already organized.
¶ 2 Summary of paragraph
¶ 3 Summary of paragraph
¶ 4 Summary of paragraph
¶ 5 Summary of paragraph
¶ 6 Summary of paragraph
¶ 7 Summary of paragraph
¶ 8 Summary of paragraph
Tutoring Center
¶ 1 Summary of paragraph
¶ 6 Summary of paragraph
¶ 4 Summary of paragraph
¶ 7 Summary of paragraph
¶ 3 Summary of paragraph
¶ 2 Summary of paragraph
¶ 5 Summary of paragraph
¶ 8 Summary of paragraph
Tutoring Center
If the numbers are
in a different order,
move the
paragraphs in your
original draft into
that order. Doing so
will ensure that your
essay is wellorganized.
Editing Tips
Tutoring Center
Editing Tips
Note:
The best editing is done some time
after writing the essay. Two hours
away from your essay will give you a
clarity that you cannot achieve
immediately after writing it.
Tutoring Center
Read the essay looking for and
marking:
Subject/verb agreement,
She are here.
She is here.
Awkward sentences,
The vampire scratched his head thoughtfully. As he bent
over his conundrum.
The vampire scratched his head thoughtfully as he bent
over his conundrum.
Commas that don’t belong,
The judge listened attentively, but ruled against the
motion.
The judge listened attentively but ruled against the motion.
Commas that need to be added,
This morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas.
This morning, in my pajamas, I shot an elephant.
Tutoring Center
Comma splices,
Talk is cheap, action is what counts.
Talk is cheap; action is what counts.
Talk is cheap. Action is what counts.
Typos,
There is on water.
There is no water.
Points in need of more explanation, and
parts that are difficult to understand.
Tutoring Center
Please note:
Sometimes small grammatical
mistakes can disrupt an essay’s flow.
Tutoring Center
Finally, ask yourself:
Does one paragraph flow into the next?
Does one idea flow into the next?
Does the essay answer the question, “So
what?”
Do you have supporting evidence that
pertains to your topic or idea?
Avoid potential plagiarism by providing
citations when you quote other people and
when you paraphrase their ideas.
Tutoring Center
After searching for and marking
errors…
Correct your paper according to these
corrections!
Tutoring Center