BRAINSTORM

Sometimes the subject matter of your essay is assigned to you, sometimes it’s not. Either way, you have
to decide what you want to say. Start by brainstorming some ideas, writing down any thoughts you have
about the subject. Then read over everything you’ve come up with and consider which idea you think is
the strongest. Ask yourself what you want to write about the most. Keep in mind the goal of your essay.
Can you achieve the goal of the assignment with this topic? If so, you’re good to go.

WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE

This is the main idea of your essay, a statement of your thoughts on the subject. Again, consider the goal
of your essay. Think of the topic sentence as an introduction that tells your reader what the rest of your
essay will be about.

OUTLINE YOUR IDEAS

Once you have a good topic sentence, you then need to support that main idea with more detailed
information, facts, thoughts, and examples. These supporting points answer one question about your
topic sentence—“Why?” This is where research and perhaps more brainstorming come in. Then organize
these points in the way you think makes the most sense, probably in order of importance. Now you have
an outline for your essay.