Answering A Timed Essay Prompt

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Answering A Timed Essay Prompt
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Strategies for Writing Under Pressure
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• Read and then reread the prompt.
• Underline the important verbs that tell you
  what action to perform. (i.e. explain,
  discuss, and support)
• Find the argument in the passage.
• Quickly jot down ideas that come to mind.
• Do you agree or disagree with the authors
  basic position?
• Do you think defining terms might allow you to
  cushion your position?
• Figure out body paragraph topics topic
  sent.(T.S.)
• Dont worry about a smooth introduction if
  nothing comes to mind.
• Rewrite the prompt into a question use your
  thesis to answer it.
• Decide on evidence you will use to prove your
  position!
• Jot down the evidence that comes to mind in
  bullets
• Determine which these fit into
• Use your outline to remind you what to say
  where to put
• evidence

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Organizing the Academic Essay
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• Think about the following as you compose your
  Introduction
• Use a hook to get the readers attention.
• Avoid truisms--obvious statements that everyone
  knows
  One should
  always be prepared to go into the wild.
  
  Why would anyone argue with
  that?
• Add an necessary background information that the
  reader may need to begin reading your argument.
• Formulate a strong thesis statement that will
  guide the reader through your essay.

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• Body
• Your paragraphs should relate back to your thesis
  and support it.
• Your paragraphs should begin with topic sentences
  (T.S)
• Your paragraphs should include different points
  of view and you should directly address them
  refute
  them, show them irrelevant dazzle the
  audience with the strength of your own argument,
  etc.
• Make it clear that you have considered the
  values, beliefs, and assumptions of your audience
  (and perhaps have found some common ground).
• Developing the content of your argument means
  that you give evidence in the form of examples,
  illustrations, statistics, etc.
• In addition to giving this evidence, you must
  analyze what the evidence means to your argument,
  how it connects to it.

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• Conclusion
• The final paragraph(s) demonstrates that you
• 1. have made a solid argument to support your
  thesis
• 2. shows the significance of your argument,
• 3. answers the question, So what?
• Your ending should be honest and elegant.
• It could point to a solution or tie up the
  ends. A good conclusion doesnt just stop, it
  ends.
• A mere summary of all that you have said in a
  short essay is rather insulting to the reader.

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Questions???