Writing essays

When I had to write essays in class under time pressure, I usually went step-by-step like this:

1. Decide on my position regarding the question BEFORE I START WRITING. (And yet I forgot to do this sometimes, believe it or not.)
2. Declare my position if not in the first sentence, in the first two sentences.
3. Use the rest of the space to explain.
4. Use the last two lines (or last line) to re-state my position.

Some essays will require more research and organization, and here are some tips from other sources.

This is from Kathy Livingston's site and these apply more for essays that you get as homework assignments:

1. Decide on your topic.
2. Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas.
3. Write your thesis statement.
4. Write the body.
Write the main points.
Write the subpoints.
Elaborate on the subpoints.
5. Write the introduction.
6. Write the conclusion.
7. Add the finishing touches.

Something on effective essay-question answering from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab:

1. Read through all the questions carefully.
2. Budget your time and decide which question(s) you will answer first.
3. Underline the key word(s) which tell you what to do for each question.
4. Choose an organizational pattern appropriate for each key word and plan your answers on scratch paper or in the margins.
5. Write your answers as quickly and as legibly as you can; do not take the time to recopy.
(Go to the page for the complete list of tips.)