Essay Writing: Step-By-Step: A Newsweek Education Program Guide for Teens

by Newsweek

Provides step-by-step instructions on writing an effective essay for college applications, the SAT, and the ACT.

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2003

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[Alexander Fontana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Step 1: Prewriting (freewriting, brainstorming, clustering, mapping)

Freewrite, you must

 Write quickly for at least 10 minutes. Push yourself, even if you think you have nothing more to say.
 Write freely, without correcting grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
 Write without stopping to erase or cross out a word or mistake.
 Write as fast as you can, without worrying about neatness.
 Write without reading what you have written.
• Write continuously, even if what you’re writing may seem disconnected.

Brainstorming

• Write the topic in the center of a sheet of paper and the purpose of the assignment at the top.
• Using single words and phrases, write down a list of everything you can think of that relates to your topic. That includes experiences, knowledge, facts and examples.
• Do not judge your thoughts. Let your mind be creative. Later, you’ll select the best ideas.

Using Inquiry

Who, What, Why, Where, When and How?

Clustering
1. Eliminate inappropriate ideas
2. From the remaining ideas, narrow your topic
3. Identify your strongest details
4. Identify those details that are minor or have the weakest significance to your purpose and audience. Eliminate them by drawing an “X” over them.
5. From the remaining information, write a summary or “thesis” that states your topic.


Step 2: Writing a First Draft

Step 3: Sharing

Step 4: Revising into a Second Draft

Step 5: Editing into a Final Draft