1. Finish any necessary reading or research as background
to the essay
§ Be selective: use sources which are relevant
and accessible.
§ Write notes in your own words.
§ Write down quotations that may be particularly
useful, but ensure the source of these quotes is acknowledged if they're used.
§ Take note of sources so they can be provided
in footnotes and the bibliography.
2. Brainstorm ideas in response to the question
§ Jot down any relevant points.
§ Make note of any relevant evidence or quotes
that come to mind.
§ Use a mind map to help stimulate lateral
thinking.
3. Develop a thesis (idea/argument) that encapsulates the
response to the question
§ The thesis should be a statement that strongly
expresses the overall response to the question.
§ Avoid a thesis that's too simplistic – show
thought has been put into some of the complexities behind the question.
§ The thesis is the backbone of the essay – it
will be stated in the introduction. It also needs to be referred to several
times in the essay before restating it and demonstrating how it has been proven
in the conclusion.
4. Write a plan for the response
§ Order ideas in a logical sequence.
§ Make sure every point in the plan is relevant
to the question.
§ After the plan has been written it should be
clear where the essay is going.
5. Write the introduction
§ Open up the discussion.
§ Introduce the thesis.
§ Indicate how the questions will be answered.
§ Name any texts to be discussed, if
appropriate.
§ Engage the reader.
6. Write the main body of the essay
§ Ensure each point is given a new paragraph.
§ Use words or phrases at the start of each
paragraph that will indicate to the reader how it relates to the previous
paragraph, eg: 'however', ‘in addition', ‘nevertheless', ‘moreover'.
§ Start each paragraph with a topic sentence
that clearly links the paragraph to the rest of the essay, eg: "A striking
example of Gary Crew's use of light and darkness imagery to suggest notions of
knowledge and ignorance occurs in the scene on the jetty".
§ Provide supporting evidence for each point
that you make.
§ Revisit the thesis, and express it in
different ways if possible, to emphasize how the question is being
addressed.
7. Write the essay conclusion
§ Summarize the main ideas.
§ Demonstrate how you have proven your thesis.
§ Finish with an interesting or
thought-provoking, but relevant, comment.
8. Essay Criterion
a. It is related to the topic
a. It is related to the topic
b. It has central idea that is clearly expressed
c. It is well developed with supporting details
d. It has a beginning, middle, and an end
e. It demonstrate a control of language that enhances the
overall quality of the response
f. It may have errors in sentences information, word
usage and mechanics; but do noted tract from the overall quality of the
composition.
