How to Write Great Essays

HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS

CHAPTER 7 Timed Essay Writing Strategies
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ahead of time. Even if you are taking the SAT, and have just 25 minutes for your essay, spend
the first three to five minutes planning.
Your planning time, no matter the prewriting strategy you use, should involve the for-
mation of a thesis statement and three or four main points. Any supporting evidence for or
examples of those points should be included. Once you begin planning, do not be tempted
to switch topics, which will waste valuable writing time. Allow a few minutes to think through
the topic. You may cross off main points that don’t work, or add a new one or two as you go.
Writing
Using your planning notes as a guide, write your essay using paragraphs to separate your
major points. Do not go off on tangents, but adhere to your plan. If you come up with another
strong major point, use it, but don’t freewrite or ramble. Avoid unnecessary words and phrases,
including clichés (review the section on concise word choices in Chapter 2).
Keep your reader in mind. This person will give you a score based on how well you write
and addressed the topic. Don’t risk alienating or offending this person by using words and
a tone that are too formal or too casual. You are trying to convince your reader that you can
write well, and that what you are saying is reasonable and intelligent. If you alienate, con-
fuse, or offend the reader, your essay score will suffer.
Revising
Some timed exams penalize for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other errors in
mechanics. All exams take off points for incomplete answers and failure to address the topic.
Leave some time to go over your work and correct or improve any errors. Be prepared to
spend between two to five minutes re-reading your essay. Check for the following do’s and
don’ts:
Do:
■
Provide details, examples, and supporting evidence in each paragraph.
■
Use paragraph breaks to help the reader see your main points.
■
Transition smoothly from one idea to the next.
Don’t:
■
Forget to correct mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation (if your
exam lowers your score for such mistakes).
■
Miss the opportunity to complete thoughts and phrases that could leave your
reader guessing.
■
Leave in rambling thoughts that are off the topic.