Your teacher has given you a first taste of formal essay writing. Don't know where to start? Consult these basic steps.
Thesis Statement
- Play around on the Internet, consider your instructor's general topic - Brainstorm IDEAS (don't think of them in terms of a formal thesis yet)
- Choose the idea that is most interesting to you (and for which there is adequate evidence)
- Rewrite your favorite IDEA into a proper THESIS statement
Prewriting: Reflection
- What are the key ideas supporting my thesis? - How does my evidence prove my thesis?
- Are there any obvious holes in my thesis? - Is there a counterargument (or counterarguments) to my thesis?
Prewriting: Free-writing sub-themes related to the thesis
Prewriting: Evaluating sources and finding evidence
Prewriting: Outlining
Locating Evidence - Brainstorm evidence (if researched evidence, keep a list of page numbers, URLs, etc. so you don’t forget)
- Group the evidence in a way that makes sense to you/according to your prewriting outline
- Continue to evaluate your sources for credibility
- “Fill out” outline with key evidence in support of your thesis
Draft the Composition According to Your Outline, remembering:
- Mini-thesis statements
- Transitions
- Consistent arguments
- Addressing counterarguments
- Consult the rubric
Revise, Rewrite, Edit
- Is my thesis clear?
- Is my argument consistent?
- Is the arrangement of my essay cohesive?
- Is the evidence credible?
- What’s missing?
- Which parts don’t flow or makes sense?
- Is the argument written with a strong, convincing, credible, and authoritative voice? - Watch for repetition, equivocation, tautology
- Are the syntax, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and language in place?
- Am I using relevant media as applicable? - Am I attributing the media and presenting them in a cohesive arrangement?
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