PRE-WRITING The most important step to writing is formulating your ideas. The best papers are those that are planned (and thus don’t ramble on and on and on. This tutorial is designed to give you the basic steps of the prewriting process, including thesis and outline creation. Take note, because all the basic steps of how to begin a solid, organized essay are compiled into this 1 presentation.

STEP 1: THINK ABOUT THE TOPIC What is the prompt asking you to do? Find and underline key words in the statement. This will help you focus on answering the question that is asked.

STEP 2: BRAINSTORM YOUR MAIN TOPIC Start by listing everything that comes to mind on the topic. You should have at least 10 thoughts, connections, or assertions. Choose one of the items from this list (the one you can write the most about). Circle/Highlight this main topic in green.

STEP 3: BRAINSTORM YOUR SUBTOPICS Think of everything that comes to mind for your main topic and write it down. Think about what happened, when and where it happened, who was there, why you selected the main topic, etc. Think of connections you can make, hypotheses you can create, analyses you have on the topic. Find three sub-topics (the three main things you want to focus on) from the above brainstorm. Highlight these 3 topics yellow.

STEP 4: BRAINSTORM YOUR DETAILS Decide what specific information you are going to put under each sub-topic. Your goal is details, descriptions, quotes. You need at least 3 for each sub-topic. Highlight these details in red. Map out your ideas in columns or a chart.

STEP 5: WRITE A THESIS STATEMENT Begin by answering the prompt. The thesis should be specific and arguable. Give three reasons why you believe your statement is true. These three reasons become your subtopics.

Part II: CREATE AN OUTLINE I Introduction (w/thesis statement) II. Sub-topic 1 a. Supporting details b. Supporting details c. Supporting details III. Sub-topic 2 IV. Sub-topic 3 V. Conclusion

Now you’re ready to write your essay!