How to Write Great Essays

HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS

5
SAMPLE WEB
5. TAKING STOCK WITH THE 5 WS
Asking “who, what, where, when, and why” is a formula used by journalists, detectives, and
researchers for getting a complete story. This technique is particularly useful for choosing
an essay topic, and for focusing a topic once you have made a selection. There are two sets
of questions for taking stock; one suited for an impersonal or research-type essay, and the
other geared toward a personal essay. Unlike some of the other prewriting techniques, tak-
ing stock should be done deliberately, with great thought given to each question. Do not
rush or include every idea that comes to mind. Even if you are being timed, take a moment
to give the best answer you can for each question. The better focused your answers are, the
more information you will have to use in your essay.
If you are writing a research paper or other type of non-personal writing, and your topic
is already selected or assigned, concentrate on the standard W’s: Who, What, Where, When,
and Why. These questions will help you to quickly develop a great deal of information about
your subject. Every question won’t apply to every essay, and the prompts that follow each W
are meant to be taken as suggestions. Be flexible and use the format as it best fits your topic.
1. Who: Who is involved? At what level? Who is affected?
2. What: What is your topic? What is its significance? What is at stake? What are the
issues?
How I have been
influenced by my
English teacher
Strength in
dealing with
difficult issues
Found positives in 
battle with cancer
Discipline
At least
30 minutes of
reading a day
Reading
choices
Personal
philosophy
Push yourself past
what you think you 
are capable of
Use words
and actions
to show others
who you really are
Not afraid to
assign tough
material
Learned life
lessons from
assigned reading
5 minutes
of writing
a day

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