WRITING AN ESSAYWRITING AN ESSAYIN TEN EASY STEPS
STEP 1: CHOOSE A TOPICSTEP 1: CHOOSE A TOPIC
Your Topic Should Be:Something that fulfills the assignmentSomething you care aboutSomething that can easily be researchedSomething that others will be interested in
reading aboutSpecificGet topic ideas from:Current events / the newsOther media (music, books, television, films)Your personal life
STEP 2: GENERATE IDEASSTEP 2: GENERATE IDEAS
BrainstormMake a mind mapMake Lists
◦Facts◦Beliefs◦Questions
STEP 3: RESEARCHSTEP 3: RESEARCH
Read essays/articles about your topicWrite down quotesWrite down facts and statisticsKeep track of your sourcesOrganize your files***
Step 4: WRITE AN OUTLINEStep 4: WRITE AN OUTLINE
TopicMain ideaKey pointsSupporting evidenceOpinions (if they apply)
STEP 5: INTRODUCTIONSTEP 5: INTRODUCTION
Write a clear thesis statementHook your readerOutline essay in 3-4 sentences
STEP 6: BODYSTEP 6: BODY
Three paragraphs, 4-6 sentences eachEach paragraph should explain one ideaFlesh out ideas with facts, statistics,
quotes (and sometimes opinions)Think visuallyWrite as if you were speaking
STEP 7: CLOSING / CONCLUSIONSTEP 7: CLOSING / CONCLUSION
Summarize your essayMake a strong statementEnd on a quote, possible action or leave
the reader with a question
STEP 8: CHECK YOUR WORKSTEP 8: CHECK YOUR WORK
Check Spelling and GrammarCite your sources***Use another set of eyes
STEP 9: REVISESTEP 9: REVISE
Get notes and feedbackCorrect errorsDo more research if necessaryRewrite based on feedback and new
informationGet MORE notes and feedback
STEP 10: THE FINAL DRAFTSTEP 10: THE FINAL DRAFT
Repeat step ninePay attention to languageCreate a title pageCreate a works cited pageTurn in work that you are PROUD of
USEFUL RESOURCESUSEFUL RESOURCES
www.Dictionary.comwww.Thesaurus.comwww.encyclopedia.comhttp://library.duke.edu/research/citing/http://www1.aucegypt.edu/academic/
writers/www.unesco.orghttp://library.pba.edu/
Research_Websites.htm