Essay Development Steps:




Step 1: Underline key words/phrases


Step 2: Determine whether you need to ask any questions about the task.


Step 3: In your own words, explain what you believe the question is asking.


Step 4: Brainstorm possible responses/key ideas/main points




Step 5: Devise a thesis statement (this answers the question).




Step 6: Devise topic sentences for each main body paragraph (need to link directly to thesis statement).




Step 7: Find evidence for each main point.




Step 8: In dot point format, explain how evidence links/proves main point.




Step 9: Is there a way your first main point links to second and so on




Step 10: Are there any conclusions/evaluations to be made after considering all main points?


*Completed at least up to step 10 before test*


Step 11: Attempt introduction. NB. This statement needs to be clear.


Step 12: Attempt main body paragraphs.


-Topic sentence




-Explain


-Evidence




-Expand/elucidate/evaluate




-Concluding/linking statement


Step 13: Attempt conclusion. Revisit your thesis and main points but don’t simply re-write. A conclusion implies that you have come to a final resolution of some sort.




Step 14: Look back at question and plan, then read over essay to ensure you have


a)Answered the question


b)Completed all steps of your plan




Step 15: Make any changes that that were needed after previous step.




Step 16: Proof-read and edit - focus on technical elements: spelling, grammar, tense, sentence structure, expression, capital letters, punctuation, word choice, paragraphs deal with 1 idea only, underlined text title.




Step 17: Final read through