1. Read
and Analyze the Question:
a. There are no throw away words in a prompt:
Read the prompt carefully.
b. What is the question asking?
c. What is the question asking you to do?
2. Collect and Sort the Data Needed
to Answer the Question:
a. Brainstorm a list of factual information.
b. Create categories for this information.
c. Create a rough outline.
3. Create Your Thesis Statement:
a. The thesis is your answer to the question.
It is the guiding argument of the essay.
b. The thesis must fully address the question,
take a position with regard to the question,
and provide organizational categories for analysis
(P.O.A).
c. Do not repeat the prompt.
4. Write the Introduction to Your
Essay:
a. Begin with a broad statement on the topic.
b. Narrow the paragraph with 2-3 sentences that
bring the question into focus.
c. Conclude with your thesis statement.
5. Write the Body of the Essay:
a. Each paragraph must have a topic sentence.
b. Each paragraph must have evidence, or historical
fact or ”proof.”
c. Each paragraph must have analysis, which
may be presented as interpretation or commentary.
d. Each paragraph must contain a “clincher”
sentence, answering, “So what?”
– evaluation.
e. Each paragraph must contain a transition
sentence to direct the reader to the next paragraph.
6. Write the Conclusion:
a. The conclusion must reinforce the thesis.
b. The conclusion must summarize the main points
of each of the body paragraphs.
c. The conclusion must synthesize the clincher
sentences.
d. The conclusion must address, “So what?”
7. Proofread Your Essay:
a. To eliminate grammatical errors.
b. To eliminate contradictions between the thesis
and the body.
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