READING

As you read your secondary sources, jot down ideas.

Do you agree or disagree with the authors overall premise?

What points of the authors do you agree with? Which ones do you
disagree with?

Have you read anything else that applies to this essay?

Does the author provide evidence that supports the statements s/he
makes?
PREWRITING
Brainstorm: Come up with ideas about your topic.
Freewrite: Set a timer (5 minutes is good), then sit down and write
whatever comes into your mind about your topic. It doesnt have to
make perfect sense; just get your ideas on paper.
You might want to use 12 Prompts to Jumpstart Your Essay, which is
posted the Suggested Readings and Other Materials folder on the
Lessons tab in Angel. Fill in as many of the blanks as you can; these
sentences will help form the basis for your paper.
Write your simple, draft thesis sentence: In this essay, I will prove _______.
KEY POINTS
Decide on the key points you want to discuss.
These points will be the topic sentences for your body paragraphs.
Note which examples, quotations and details you are going to use to
support the claims you make.
You may wish to use a traditional outline form to make sure you have all
your key points in order. I have posted an outline template in the
Suggested Readings and Other Material folder on Angel.
BODY
Discuss only one idea per paragraph.
Each paragraph must support your thesis.
Start each paragraph with a topic sentence.
End each paragraph with a segue into the next paragraph.
Each claim you make must be supported by evidence.
GENERAL PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
Topic Sentence
Examples (evidence)
Quotations (evidence)
Details (evidence)
If you make a sub-topic claim, it must be supported by evidence.
Summary Sentence (mini-conclusion and segue)
CONCLUSION
Restatement of your thesis

A statement that focuses your overall reaction to the authors essay.

May not contain any new information.