1. Timed Writing

2. Hints for Composing the Successful Timed Writing

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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