Timed Writing

Hints for Composing the Successful Timed Writing

Structure: Introduction -Intros should be short and to the point. -Avoid overly general observations ("Since the beginning of time, man has wrestled with the true meaning of courage."). -Include the title and author of the work(s). -Refer to the voice as that of the speaker, not the author. -Don't restate the question to form a thesis.

Structure: Body and Conclusion Body: A minimum of two paragraphs should succinctly but fully develop your argument. -Examples and/or quotes are a must. Some may be short references and others more elaborate. -Explain all your examples and quotes. -Provide the context and speaker for any quotes and examples. Conclusion: A short wrap-up of your argument. -Avoid a repetition of your thesis or points. -Providing a final quote or example that summarizes your argument is most effective.

Development of Argument -Your paper should move logically from point to point. This means that you should avoid a basic classification essay. -Avoid plot summaries. The reader has the text; simply refer to the passage you want. -Avoid praise. Telling the reader how much of a genius Hawthorne is in your estimation makes a negative, not a positive impression. Evaluation is not applicable in an analytic essay. -Isolate and be able to state the main idea of the piece. Remember that a topic is not the same thing as a thesis. -Identify and discuss the main idea clearly. Don't ramble and don't throw in irrelevant observations in order to convince the reader you know SOME thing