Tips for Reading an Assignment Prompt
Asking analytical questions, introductions, what do introductions across the disciplines have in common, anatomy of a body paragraph, transitions, tips for organizing your essay, counterargument, conclusions.
How to plan an essay: Essay Planning
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- Essay Planning
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How to plan an essay
Essay planning is an important step in academic essay writing.
Proper planning helps you write your essay faster, and focus more on the exact question. As you draft and write your essay, record any changes on the plan as well as in the essay itself, so they develop side by side.
One way to start planning an essay is with a ‘box plan’.
First, decide how many stages you want in your argument – how many important points do you want to make? Then, divide a box into an introduction + one paragraph for each stage + a conclusion.
Next, figure out how many words per paragraph you'll need.
Usually, the introduction and conclusion are each about 10% of the word count. This leaves about 80% of the word count for the body - for your real argument. Find how many words that is, and divide it by the number of body paragraphs you want. That tells you about how many words each paragraph can have.
Remember, each body paragraph discusses one main point, so make sure each paragraph's long enough to discuss the point properly (flexible, but usually at least 150 words).
For example, say the assignment is
Fill in the table as follows:
Next, record each paragraph's main argument, as either a heading or topic sentence (a sentence to start that paragraph, to immediately make its point clear).
Finally, use dot points to list useful information or ideas from your research notes for each paragraph. Remember to include references so you can connect each point to your reading.
The other useful document for essay planning is the marking rubric .
This indicates what the lecturer is looking for, and helps you make sure all the necessary elements are there.
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Essay Plan Templates
When it comes to writing essays , having a well-structured plan is crucial for success. An essay plan, also known as essay planning, is a systematic approach to organizing your thoughts and ideas before diving into the writing process. With an essay plan, you can effectively outline your arguments, supporting evidence , and overall structure.
Creating an essay plan involves various techniques and tools that can help you map out your ideas visually. One such technique is visual mapping, where you use diagrams and flowcharts to visually represent the connections between your main points and supporting details . This technique, as exhibited in the Essay Planning: Visual Mapping resource from San Jose State University Writing Center, can be a powerful tool to help you brainstorm and organize your essay.
Another useful tool for essay planning is an essay outline worksheet or form. These resources provide a structured template where you can outline your main ideas, subtopics, and supporting evidence. By filling out an essay outline worksheet or form, you can ensure that your essay has a clear and logical progression, making it easier for readers to follow your arguments.
In addition, if you're working on a persuasive essay, a persuasive essay outline worksheet can be particularly helpful. This type of outline typically includes sections for introducing the topic, presenting arguments, counterarguments, and a conclusion. By using a persuasive essay outline worksheet, you can effectively organize your persuasive techniques and ensure that your arguments are presented persuasively.
For those who prefer a more structured approach, a five-paragraph essay organizer can be a valuable resource. This organizer breaks down your essay into an introduction, three body paragraphs , and a conclusion. By using a five-paragraph essay organizer, you can ensure that your essay follows a clear and concise structure, making it easier for readers to understand and engage with your ideas.
In summary, an essay plan, also known as essay planning, is an essential tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas before writing an essay. Whether you prefer visual mapping, using an essay outline worksheet or form, or a five-paragraph essay organizer, having a solid plan in place can greatly enhance the clarity and cohesiveness of your essay. Start planning your essay today and experience the benefits of a well-structured approach to writing.
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Essay Outline Notes Template
This document is a template that helps you organize your notes and ideas for writing an essay. It provides a structured outline format to ensure you cover all the necessary points in your essay. Use this template to stay organized and create a well-structured, cohesive essay.
Essay Planning: Visual Mapping - San Jose State University Writing Center
This document provides guidance on visual mapping techniques for planning essays, specifically focusing on the resources available at the San Jose State University Writing Center.
Essay Outline Worksheet
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Essay plans
An essay plan is a way to identify, select, and order the points you want to make in your essay. It helps you to work out your argument and your structure before writing, which should make the writing process more efficient and focussed. Sometimes essay plans are set as formative assignments so tutors can provide feedback before you write your full essay.
Scroll down for our recommended strategies and resources.
Enough detail for feedback
If you have an essay plan as an assignment, the main purpose is to give your lecturer enough information about your structure and main points so they can give you useful feedback. Follow any guidance you have been given, but usually an essay plan doesn’t have to be in full sentences; an outline structure of main points in a bullet point list, maybe with some further details of the evidence you will use or explanation under each point, is often enough. See these guides on how to do simple outline plans for an essay:
How to plan an essay (University of Newcastle)
Structuring the essay (Monash University)
Different ways of planning
Group similar ideas.
The aim of planning is to put down all your ideas and then to sort through them and order them. Look at where the ideas group together to see if any common themes start emerging, as these might form the paragraphs in your essay. See the video below for an example of how to group and order ideas in a plan.
Planning: General structure [video] (University of York)
Changes are normal - reverse outline
We rarely follow our essay plans exactly because our ideas develop as we write. If you don’t keep to your plan, it isn’t a sign of failure or a sign that planning doesn’t work. However, you may need to reflect on your planning process - are you over-planning and it takes too much time, or are your plans too vague and more detail would help? If you have strayed from your plan, a good strategy is to check the structure of your essay afterwards to make sure it all matches up. See the guide below on how to do a reverse outline as a useful part of your redrafting process.
Reverse outlines (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
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VIDEO
COMMENTS
Outlining is a vital part of the essay planning process. It allows the writer to understand how he or she will connect all the information to support the thesis statement and the claims of the paper. It also provides the writer with a space to manipulate ideas easily without needing to write complete paragraphs.
You are usually asked to come to a conclusion and to back your view by a discussion of the evidence or reasoning involved. This is often considered the most 'challenging' of the essay types. You should present selected facts, and discuss them in such a way to direct the reader to a conclusion. 4. Comparison.
Harvard College Writing Center 2 Tips for Reading an Assignment Prompt When you receive a paper assignment, your first step should be to read the assignment
Before You Start: Consider the "direction word" in the question, and what it is asking you to do. Consider the "scope" of the question, and how it will guide your research and response. Highlight the "content" words of the question, so your plan doesn't go off topic. Rewrite the question in your own words to help you understand ...
Every essay needs a strong and clear structure, organized around an argument. The planning process is likely to be iterative for term-time essays. In an exam setting, where time is limited, it can seem like a waste of time to brainstorm and plan before beginning. However, creating a plan, even in exams, should help you in a number of ways: 1.
Strategies for Essay Writing: PDFs Strategies for Essay Writing--Complete. description. Tips for Reading an Assignment Prompt. description. Asking Analytical Questions. description. Thesis. description. Introductions. description. What Do Introductions Across the Disciplines Have in Common? description. Anatomy Of a Body Paragraph.
Understanding the essay question. The first step in writing an essay is to understand the essay question. You need to do this before you start your research and reading for the essay. It is important that you have a clear idea of what kind of essay you need to write (descriptive, explanatory, persuasive / analytical).
The structure of your essay is something you need to keep in mind from the preliminary planning to the final presentation and editing checks. z Exercise 1: Consider your current writing requirements and the time you have available and write a preliminary plan that takes into account the four steps above. 3.
Harvard's Strategies for Academic Essay Writing This online booklet offers practical tips on a range of topics, including "Developing a Thesis," "Counter-
Essay planning is an important step in academic essay writing. Proper planning helps you write your essay faster, and focus more on the exact question. As you draft and write your essay, record any changes on the plan as well as in the essay itself, so they develop side by side. One way to start planning an essay is with a 'box plan'.
Here is an example of an essay topic and a possible plan. (Note that the thesis statement and topic sentences have been written as complete sentences, rather than just as dot points. Writing them out fully helps you formulate the idea or argument clearly). Essay question / topic. For most individuals, sporting activities are not associated with ...
Write down everything and anything that comes to mind, preferably on blank paper so that lines don't get in the way. Don't focus on punctuation, mechanics, or grammar. Simply write, and do it in fragments if need be. Include thoughts, feelings, and concerns along with the facts you want to include in the paper.
II. Drafting. A. Draft your essay, using your plan as a guide, but making changes if needed . B. Focus on getting the ideas down; do not slow the process down too much by being overly critical and constantly revising while drafting. III. Revising . A. Allow enough time for revision, and allow some time between the drafting and revising. B. Focus on global issues first—those issues that are ...
There is an Outline worksheet on the back of this page to help you start planning the content, order and organization of your essay. Paragraph 1: Introduction -- If possible, open with an attention-getting device to interest the reader (perhaps a quote or question). Introduce the topic of your essay in general, and present some context for this ...
Essay Planning and Writing Guidelines. An essay (also called a theme or composition) is a group of paragraphs that develop an support one central idea. An essay includes a fully developed introduction, paragraphs of support in the body, and a conclusion. To plan and write an essay on any subject, follow these guidelines.
An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph, giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold. You'll sometimes be asked to submit an essay outline as a separate assignment before you ...
In summary, an essay plan, also known as essay planning, is an essential tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas before writing an essay. Whether you prefer visual mapping, using an essay outline worksheet or form, or a five-paragraph essay organizer, having a solid plan in place can greatly enhance the clarity and cohesiveness of your essay.
Abstract and Figures. Undergraduate students are commonly advised to make plans of their essays before they begin writing, yet there is little empirical evidence on the nature, role or efficacy of ...
Argumentative Essay Planning Sheet My Topic and my side Reason 1 and three facts and/or stats that support that reason Reason: 1. 2. 3. Sources: Reason 2 and three facts and/or stats that support that reason Reason: 1. 2. 3. Sources: Reason 3 and three facts and/or stats that support that reason Reason: 1. 2. 3. Sources: Counterclaim 1 and
Essay plans. An essay plan is a way to identify, select, and order the points you want to make in your essay. It helps you to work out your argument and your structure before writing, which should make the writing process more efficient and focussed. Sometimes essay plans are set as formative assignments so tutors can provide feedback before ...
Section 1 Essay structure An essay is a piece of writing made up of a number of paragraphs. Each paragraph has a specifi c role in an essay. In a fi ve-paragraph essay, the fi rst paragraph is an introduction; the second, third, and fourth paragraphs form the body of the essay; and the fi fth paragraph is a conclusion (see diagram on page 4).
Community Plan and Local Coastal Program for the approximately 8,700-acre University Community Plan Area located between State Route 52 on the south and Torrey Pines Community Plan Area the north, and between Interstate 805 and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on the east and the Pacific Ocean and the La Jolla Community Plan Area on the west.
3 𝑎𝑎, , (7) Text between equations 12 and 13 is awkwardly worded. Consider clarifying. (8) Sentence after Equation 218. Clarify "with a mean equal to 0 and an estimated variance (𝜎𝜎)" given equation 18 defines Normal~(𝜇𝜇 , 𝜎𝜎2). (9) After equation 19. Define PCS on first occurrence.