Guidelines for Writing Essays in Literature Classes

by Gail Kluepfel

  1. Brainstorm the question/assignment:



  2. Rather than spend a lot of time writing and re-writing your introduction, get to analyzing the passages (see Step 3).

    Write your introduction last, after you've had a chance to work your way to a conclusion. Often it helps to take your conclusion, use what you've learned, and then write the introduction in the next draft.

  3. Refine your focus.



  4. Make sure that your essay is developed out of your close analysis of selected passages found in the readings.



  5. Think about how to organize your paragraphs to create an effective argument.



  6. For short papers, start fast. Provide an immediate, specific answer to a question posed by the assignment.


Source: Ida Masters Hollowell, James A. Levernier, A. Franklin Parks, Structuring Paragraphs: A Guide to Effective Writing. 2nd ed. New York: St. Martin's,1986.


Writing An Effective Expository Essay

by Pat Grove

When writing an essay, follow these eight basic steps:

  1. Select a topic.

  2. Write a thesis sentence.

  3. Select a method of development.

  4. Organize the essay.

  5. Write topic sentences for the body paragraphs of the essay.

  6. Write the body paragraphs of the essay.

  7. Furnish a paragraph of introduction.

  8. Write a paragraph of conclusion.


Source: Ida Masters Hollowell, James A. Levernier, A. Franklin Parks, Structuring Paragraphs: A Guide to Effective Writing. 2nd ed. New York: St. Martin's,1986.


Writing a Persuasive Essay

by Soraya Goga, Rutgers University