For use in a writing class. Outlines how to write an essay in ten easy steps.

1. WRITING AN ESSAYWRITING AN ESSAY
IN TEN EASY STEPS

2. STEP 1: CHOOSE A TOPICSTEP 1: CHOOSE A TOPIC
Your Topic Should Be:
Something that fulfills the assignment
Something you care about
Something that can easily be researched
Something that others will be interested in
reading about
Specific
Get topic ideas from:
Current events / the news
Other media (music, books, television, films)
Your personal life

3. STEP 2: GENERATE IDEASSTEP 2: GENERATE IDEAS
Brainstorm
Make a mind map
Make Lists
◦ Facts
◦ Beliefs
◦ Questions

4. STEP 3: RESEARCHSTEP 3: RESEARCH
Read essays/articles about your topic
Write down quotes
Write down facts and statistics
Keep track of your sources
Organize your files***

5. Step 4: WRITE AN OUTLINEStep 4: WRITE AN OUTLINE
Topic
Main idea
Key points
Supporting evidence
Opinions (if they apply)

6. STEP 5: INTRODUCTIONSTEP 5: INTRODUCTION
Write a clear thesis statement
Hook your reader
Outline essay in 3-4 sentences

7. STEP 6: BODYSTEP 6: BODY
Three paragraphs, 4-6 sentences each
Each paragraph should explain one idea
Flesh out ideas with facts, statistics,
quotes (and sometimes opinions)
Think visually
Write as if you were speaking

8. STEP 7: CLOSING / CONCLUSIONSTEP 7: CLOSING / CONCLUSION
Summarize your essay
Make a strong statement
End on a quote, possible action or leave
the reader with a question

9. STEP 8: CHECK YOUR WORKSTEP 8: CHECK YOUR WORK
Check Spelling and Grammar
Cite your sources***
Use another set of eyes

10. STEP 9: REVISESTEP 9: REVISE
Get notes and feedback
Correct errors
Do more research if necessary
Rewrite based on feedback and new
information
Get MORE notes and feedback

11. STEP 10: THE FINAL DRAFTSTEP 10: THE FINAL DRAFT
Repeat step nine
Pay attention to language
Create a title page
Create a works cited page
Turn in work that you are PROUD of

12. USEFUL RESOURCESUSEFUL RESOURCES
www.Dictionary.com
www.Thesaurus.com
www.encyclopedia.com
http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/
http://www1.aucegypt.edu/academic/writ
ers/
www.unesco.org
http://library.pba.edu/Research_Websites
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