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