IN-CLASS ESSAY: WRITING STRATEGIES
Part of the Gavilan Writing Center
In-Class Essay Series
The In-Class Essay


You will receive the article one week before you
write the in-class essay.
You are allowed to annotate the text and make one
page of notes to use.
Practical Steps to Successfully Revising Your Essay
1. Reading
2. Annotation
3. Making Notes
4. Author’s Thesis
5. Observations/Evidence/Examples
6. Quotations
7. Time Management
8. Proofreading
Read, Read, and Re-Read
Read Casually.
Skim and
Predict.
• Then put the article
away for a few
hours.
Read and
Annotate.
• Highlight ONLY
main points.
• Write important
thoughts/opinions
in the margins.
Annotation

Highlight/Underline
 ONLY
the main ideas in each paragraph.
 the author’s thesis statement (if you can find it).

Write short notes in the margins
 Focus
on key ideas, questions you have, strong opinions
and reactions to the article.
Make Notes
Find a Note-Taking strategy that works for you.
Make a
Reading
Log
Use the
T.I.P.S. +
Worksheet
Use the
Group
Worksheet:
Preparing
for In-Class
Exams
Use the
T.I.P.S.+
Handout
Author’s Thesis Statement
1.
2.
3.
Re-read the article and review your notes.
Looking at all the main points, write the author’s
thesis statement.
If your teacher allows, gather with a study group
and review the article—compare your notes.
Edit and Proofread


After you write your essay, take a few minutes to go
back and check your grammar and spelling.
Look for sentence-level errors (comma splices, runon sentences, fragments), spelling errors, verb tense
errors, etc.
Preparing to Write Your Essay



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Review the elements of a summary
Decide whether you agree or disagree with the
author’s overall main point.
Brainstorm for evidence from both the text and from
your knowledge and life experience to support your
thesis.
Create an outline.