Essay Process and Rules
- Select a topic
- Brainstorm until 3 main points have been established
- Develop a thesis around those 3 main points
- Display a plan in the form of a Thesis-Topic Outline (see below)
- Write the 1st draft, edit, revise, arrive at a final copy for submission
THESIS-TOPIC OUTLINE
Title of the essay
CRA (opening sentence of the essay):
Thesis Statement:
Topic sentence body 1:
Topic sentence body 2:
Topic sentence body 3:
Topic sentence conclusion:
Rules
1. Center a title on the top line of the first page.
2. Capitalize the first, last, and important words in titles, including the second part of the hyphenated words.
3. MEMORIZE THIS RULE: The only words which are not capitalized in titles are:
(1) article adjectives (a, an, and the),
(2) short prepositions, and
(3) coordinating conjunctions, unless they begin or end a title.
4. Do not put a period after a title which makes a complete statement. You should, however, use a question mark or exclamation point after appropriate titles.
5. Do not put quotation marks around or underline your own title.
6. Double-space your essay and outline…no single-space or triple-space anywhere, use 12 pt. Courier New font
7. Indent the first line of each paragraph at least one inch (or one pre-set tab).
8. Spell out contractions “don’t” should be “do not.”
9. In your title and sentences spell out numbers less than one hundred.
10. Hyphenate spelled-out compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.
11. Do not use "you" (second person) in any form unless you are quoting.
12. Try not to end a sentence with a preposition.
13. Try not to split an infinitive (to boldly go).
14. Remember that personal pronouns never use apostrophes to show possession.
15. Capitalize words of family relationship used as names and not preceded by possessive pronouns(I knew that Dad would not mind. I knew his dad would not mind.)
16. Remember:Cannot is spelled as one word, not two.
17. Remember: The phrase a lot is made up of two words, not one, and, due to its frequent overuse, should be avoided whenever possible.
18. Never use this, that, these, or those without a clear antecedent. Rather than use any of these words as vague pronoun references, either follow them with a specific noun or replace them with a specific noun.
19. Avoid beginning sentences with there is and there are whenever possible. These words often add to wordiness and delay your subject.
20. Use active voice verbs to add interest to your writing. Using too many linking verbs (such as is, are, was, and were) or passive voice verbs makes very dull reading.
21. Avoid using the following words: Thing(s), stuff, kid
21. Use appropriate transitional devices for clarity, coherence, and smoothness of movement. Otherwise, your writing will be choppy and your ideas hard to follow.
22. Limit use of adverbs. Choose better verbs that do not have to be modified
(adapted from a document written by Sara E. Selby of Waycross College)