How to Write Great Essays

Conclusion Checklist
✔
Do not contradict anything you said earlier in the essay.
✔
Be clear and concise.
✔
Do not introduce new information.
✔
Maintain the tone you used in the rest of your essay (review “Appropriate Lev-
els of Formality” in Chapter 3).
✔
Do not repeat your introduction.
✔
Do not use clichéd sayings or phrases (“You can’t judge a book by its cover,”
“In conclusion,” “As I stated above”).
✔
Do not apologize for anything (especially lack of time).

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HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS

CHAPTER 7 Timed Essay Writing Strategies
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As noted in the opening section of this chapter, the first step in preparing to take any essay
exam is to get as much information about the exam as possible. Check the resources at the
end of this book for information about your exam, and research it on the Internet. Once
you have familiarized yourself with the basics, such as how long you will have to write the
essay, what the topics might be, and how the essay will be graded, you can begin to prepare
more thoroughly.