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Five Easy Steps for Writing an Essay

American Literature

Mrs. Martelli

1.       Prewriting

2.      First Draft

3.      Revising

4.      Editing, Proofreading

5.      Submitting the Paper

 

1.      Prewriting

  • Make sure you understand the assignment and choose the appropriate topic
  • Identify your audience.  This is important so that you can establish tone (attitude) for your paper
  • Develop Ideas for your topic.  Do this by brainstorming, clustering, free writing, journaling and role playing.

       **If you do the prewriting it will be much easier to write your introduction and your thesis.



     2. First Draft

  • Introduction:  This is where you make the main idea of your essay known.  You must also grab the attention of your audience by using a funny story, a quote, a definition, a thought provoking question, a shocking fact or just a clever thought.  Follow this with your Thesis statement.
    • Thesis:  Everything in the paper refers back to the thesis.  If it does not, then GET RID OF IT!
    • Ask yourself these important questions when writing a thesis.
      • What do I want to know?
      • Why am I interested in this topic?
      • What makes this topic worth my time and effort?
    • Body:  Evidence to support the thesis.  Make sure this evidence is presented in the correct order; chronological, logical or factual.
    • This is the Draft of your paper and is the longest part.
    • Use transitional Phrases to go between thoughts and paragraphs.
    • Conclusion:  This section leaves your reader with a strong image or message to take with them.  It also brings the paper to a close.

3.      Revising

  • Revising:  Put your paper down and walk away from it for a couple of days.  When you revisit it you will see errors and have ideas that passed you by earlier.
  • Ask some questions of your paper?
    • Is my tone appropriate for my audience?
    • Am I addressing my audience?
    • Is my Thesis strong?
    • Do I have an interesting opening?
    • Is my opening catchy?
    • When I read my aloud, how does it sound?
  • Once you have finished with the questions be prepared to clarify the point, add more information and to totally revise you paper.

4.     Editing and Proofreading

  • Make sure others read your paper.
  • Check the spelling and grammar and punctuation
  • Make Corrections!
  • Rewrite!

5.      Submitting the Paper

  • Type your paper
  • Ask yourself “Did I adhere to the assignment requirements?”
  • Is my paper on time?