Basic Steps in Essay Writing
Step 1: Select the question
Choose one that interests you and one with which you have
some background information/knowledge.
Step 2: Question the question
Highlight any instructional words, eg. discuss, comment.
Highlight the key words.
Brainstorm using target questions.
Step 5: Think critically to sort out:
Personal points of view/own opinions.
Assumptions.
Evidence.
Irrelevant details.
Personal anecdotes.
Illustrations/examples.
Ideas – general, very important, potentially useful, only good.
Useful quotations.
Specific reference.
Expert‟s point of view.
Step 6: Make an essay plan
Your time eg. when is your essay due?
Plan the order of your themes/ paragraphs.
Put these on separate pieces of paper.
Step 7: Write First Draft
First drafts are working drafts and different processes can work for
different people. If you like the way you work and if you achieve
the results you want, stay with it. Following are some suggestions
from successful students:
Identify the issues.
Step 3: Construct an initial plan
Brainstorm.
Create a mind-map.
Decide your themes and the order of your themes.
Step 4: Find relevant sources of information
Find the answers to your questions.
Write the answers on separate pieces of paper.
Remember to record your references.