Writing & Research Center

1. Read the assignment's directions.

• How long does the essay have to be? What citation style does your professor require? How many sources do you need to have? What types of sources do you need?

2. Prewrite.

•  Download the "Prewriting Techniques" handout to the left of your screen for ideas.

 3. Organize your thoughts.

 4. Develop your thesis.

• Download the "Plan of Development (POD) for Thesis Statements" handout to your left for more information. 

5. Write a draft. 

• You will want to include your thesis in an introductory paragraph.
• Each of the following paragraphs in the "body" of your paper will focus on a  main point that you will use to support your thesis, introduced with a strong topic sentence, supporting examples (or "sub-points"), and wrapping up with a transition to the the next point.
• End your paper with a strong conclusion paragraph that not only restates your point, but ends with providing the reader with a thoughtful consideration of your topic's relevance or a call to future action/additional research.

6. Revise and edit your draft. 

• Check for grammar and spelling errors. Click the "Grammar and Mechanics" tab above for helpful information, or refer to chapters 4, 8, 9, and 10 of the ENG 111 textbook. 
• Check to see if all sources are cited according to the style guide specified by your instructor (MPA, APA, Chicago etc.)
• Reading your paper aloud, if you are able to, is a helpful way to catch grammatical or word-choice mistakes.
• Ask yourself if you the organization of your paper is appropriate--is your argument logical? Do you have clear transitions? Is the information presented in a way that makes sense to the reader and is in-line with the assignment's instructions?
• Repeat this step as many times as needed. 

7. Prepare your final typed draft. 

• Download the "Setting Up Your Document" handout to the left for more information on formatting papers.