The takeaway
Every paragraph should move your argument forward. Explain how the evidence supports your point.
01
Start with the assignment
Read the prompt and rubric before writing. Identify what you are being asked to argue, compare, interpret, or explain. Record the required sources, format, length, and due date.
Write a working thesis that answers the prompt. It can change as you develop the argument, but it should give the draft a direction rather than simply announce the topic.
02
Connect claims to evidence
Plan the main claims that support your thesis. For each claim, choose relevant evidence and explain how it supports the argument. A quotation is not a substitute for your analysis.
Use transitions to show the relationship between ideas — contrast, cause, qualification, or extension — rather than inserting linking words without a clear logical connection.
- Does the thesis answer the actual prompt?
- Does each paragraph have a clear purpose?
- Is evidence followed by your analysis?
- Are sources cited in the required style?
- Does the conclusion develop the argument rather than repeat it?
03
Revise before proofreading
Read the topic sentences in sequence to check the argument's progression. Move, combine, or cut paragraphs that do not contribute. Then review sentence clarity and source citations.
Read the draft aloud to catch awkward phrasing. Leave a separate final pass for punctuation, formatting, and submission requirements. Essay tutoring can help you recognize these issues and apply the same process to future assignments.