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Composition Step-by-Step

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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