Strategies for timed writing essays

Three steps:

1. Plan (25%)2. Compose (50%)

3. Revise (25%)

Plan (25% of time)

1. Understand the Assignment• Let the prompt be your topic• Develop a point of view• Write only on the assigned

topic

Plan continued…2. Organize your thoughts• Limit the scope of your essay• Develop a thesis

• Not too broad, not too narrow• Must be clear to you and reader• Everything you include must support thesis• Specific details and examples rather than

generalizations for support

• Identify key points• Write an outline

Example Outline:Introduction

a. Thesis StatementFirst Key Point

a. subpoint 1b. subpoint 2c. subpoint 3

Second Key Pointa. subpoint 1b. subpoint 2

Third Key Pointa. subpoint 1b. subpoint 2c. subpoint 3

Conclusiona. Restate Thesis

Compose (50% of time)

1. Organize ideas into paragraphs

2. Write the essay

Revise (25% of time)1. PROOFREAD!!!• Check for unity, coherence and

support• Check for punctuation and spelling• Write concisely, clearly, and legibly• Do not be redundant• Avoid contractions (don’t, can’t, etc.)• Subject/Verb agreement• Pronoun usage