The document outlines the five key steps in the essay writing process: 1) Prewriting such as brainstorming topics, outlining ideas, and writing a thesis statement; 2) Writing including drafting the introduction, body, and conclusion; 3) Rewriting to refine the essay by removing or adding content; 4) Editing for spelling, grammar, and following assignment guidelines; and 5) Publishing by submitting the final essay on time and using feedback to improve future writing.
1. Essay writing: the steps in the
process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Prewriting
Writing
Rewriting
Editing
Publishing
planning it
writing it
revising/improving it
polishing/correcting it
turning it in
Academic Success Center
2. Prewriting
1. Brainstorm topics and choose one
1. Listing
2. Freewriting
3. Web diagram
2. Prepare outline of ideas
3. Write thesis statement
Academic Success Center
5. Um, what’s a thesis statement?
• It is a road map for the paper; in other
words, it tells the reader what to expect
from the rest of the paper.
• It directly answers the question asked of
you. A thesis is an interpretation of a
question or subject, not the subject itself.
• It is usually a single sentence somewhere
in your first paragraph that presents your
argument to the reader.
Academic Success Center
6. Writing
1. Write the body
1. Write the main points
2. Write the subpoints
3. Elaborate on the subpoints
2. Write the introduction
3. Write the conclusion
Academic Success Center
7. Rewriting
• Allow some time so you may reread your
writing with more objectivity.
• Check your essay
–
–
–
–
Addresses the assignment?
Has good order/organization?
Makes sense?
Flows smoothly?
• Remove what doesn’t work, add ideas to
improve it, reorder for stronger impact, etc.
Academic Success Center
9. Editing
• Run spelling checker and grammar
checker.
• Have a friend read it with an eye out for
errors.
• Look carefully for the kinds of error you
have made on past assignments; refer to
professor’s comments on previous essays.
Academic Success Center
10. Publishing
• Turn it in on time!
• Consider submitting it for essay contests
or publication in appropriate journals. Ask
your professor about these opportunities.
• When you receive it with the professor’s
feedback, save it and refer to it—and the
comments—the next time you write an
essay . . . Always aim to learn from one
essay to improve the next one you write!
Academic Success Center
