planning, organizing, revising, and editing an essay
TRANSCRIPT
PLANNING, ORGANIZING,
REVISING, AND EDITING AN
ESSAY
Planning
Invention
The process of questioning, analyzing, and
researching a topic
Planning
Questioning
Have you ever started an essay without a concrete
topic? Did you have a topic but you didn’t know
what you wanted to say about it? The following
strategies will help you to generate ideas.
Freewriting
Listing
Brainstorming
Planning
Analyzing
Initially, you explore the surface level components (shape, color, functions) of your topic. Analysis offers you a chance to search under the surface of these components and discover their significance.
What is unique about the topic?
What is ordinary about the topic?
Who is involved with the topic?
How does the topic affect those who are involved with the topic?
What would life be like without the topic?
Why should anyone care about the topic?
Planning
Researching
Do you ever think of a good topic yet lack the background knowledge to further develop the topic? The following tips suggest how you might start your research:
Set up a consultation with a research librarian by calling 217-206-6633
Look through the subject guide for your discipline on the UIS library website, such as English, Communication, History, Business, and Criminal Justice
Explore scholarly databases on the UIS library website
Check the library catalog for relevant books, periodicals, and state government documents
Organizing
Organization
The process of shaping rhetorical tools and
analytical ideas into a clear, thoughtful essay
Organizing
The Parts of an Essay
Introduction
Thesis
Body Paragraphs
Conclusion
Organizing
The Parts of an Essay
Introduction: The introduction offers the audience an
overview of your topic. With analytical writing, you
want to insure that your introduction supports an
argumentative claim that you will discuss through the
course of your essay. One of the primary resources of
your introduction is a thesis statement.
Organizing
The Parts of an Essay
Thesis: A statement that offers a concise, insightful, and focused rhetorical stance on your topic. A thesis statement should discuss the main argument(s) you decide to discuss. With a direct thesis, you offer your audience clarity and the ability to understand your argument’s direction. For example, consider the following statement:
Cell phones can make people behave rudely.
This statement lacks an insightful argument. Instead, it reads like a commonly held opinion. Consider the following, more focused, statement:
Cell phone calls crowd out time for the most important dialogue in life—the one in our own heads.
This thesis statement expands upon the previous idea—cell phones can cause problems with human behavior. However, unlike the previous statement, this one suggests a specific problem that stems from cell phone usage.
Organizing
The Parts of an Essay
Body Paragraphs: Body paragraphs should support the
claim(s) made in the thesis. Each paragraph begins with
a strong topic sentence that defends the main
argument. After this sentence, you might use a number
of methods to support your claim(s): analysis of a text,
statistical data, description, narrative, or historical
information. The method(s) you choose will be based on
your topic and/or field of study.
Organizing
The Parts of an Essay
Conclusion: The concluding portion of your essay should
not summarize your introduction. Instead, you might
conclude with thoughts on further study that connects
with your topic or discussion of your topic’s relevance
for future generations or cultures. Again, this largely
depends on your topic.
Organizing
Outlines
Outlines help with the process of organization. You
can choose several different formats, including
Sentence Outline
Idea Outline
Mapping/Webbing
Flow Charts
Revising
Revising
The process of rethinking or restructuring the
argumentative aspects of an essay
Revising
Introduction
Appealing opening statement
Relevant and researched background knowledge
of your topic
Clear and specific thesis
Revising
Body Paragraphs
Topic sentences Support the thesis
Offer insight into the topic
Arranged in a logical order that provides your audience with a clear pathway through your argument(s)
Transitions Between each paragraph
Allow the audience to read with clear comprehension
Tie contiguous paragraphs together
Supporting sentences Expand upon idea(s) in topic sentences
Placed in a logical order
Revising
Conclusion
Does not summarize introduction
Might offer suggestions for future study
Might suggest topic’s relevance for future
generations or cultures
Editing
The process of correcting grammar, spelling, and
punctuation errors within an essay
Editing
Check:
Spelling
Grammar
Subject/verb agreement (see handout)
Search for strong verbs (see handout)
Cut unnecessary or wordy material
Editing
Some General Tips for Proofreading
Read your essay aloud and slowly
Have an unbiased pair of eyes look over your essay
Distance yourself from your essay between revisions
Source
Mauk, John and John Metz. The Composition of
Everyday Life: A Guide to Writing. United States:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010.
Further Questions?
Contact The Center for Teaching and Learning
217-206-6503
Brookens 460
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 – 7:00
Friday: 8:30 – 4:30