Essay Strategies

When faced with a scientific reading - Here are some tips to help you!

SIMPLE VERSION:
1 - Don't Panic
2. Check for information given to you
3. Skim the paper
4. Dissect the question / Make a checklist
5. Take copious (a lot of) notes
6.Highlight important sentences / check for good quotes to use
7. Draw up an outline
8. Write a super essay
9. Double-check with your checklist

THICKER VERSION:
1. Don't Panic - These kinds of activities are not something you can study much for - except be prepared to handle them! Know you can do it - and be prepared to break it down!

2. Check for any words that are defined for you, like in a Word Key. Make sure you understand the meaning of these words.

3. Skim the entire paper - orient yourself to what you will be dealing with. Don't spend a lot of time - just make sure you get the topic and the main ideas. This might be a good time to highlight any of the words you see defined, if they are there.

4. Dissect (take apart) the question. Anything and everything that is required of you should be highlighted and put into a checklist to be checked at the end. Here are some good questions to ask yourself:
a. how long should the essay be?
b. What my goal in this essay?
c. What format is the essay to be written in?
d. Do I need quotes?
e. Are there any other specific instructions given in the prompt?
Make a checklist of each item, so you can go back and make sure you have done everything asked of you!

5. Take notes! Now that you know what you're looking for - go through the reading sentence by sentence. Highlight the information that is important. If something has absolutely no information you need, strike it out so as not to be distracted by it. Add notes in the margin, and as you go along start constructing your outline!

6. Write an outline! This should be organized notes that help manage the structure of your essay. They don't need to be in the correct order, necessarily, but you will need to put them in order before you begin writing. You should include your main ideas and details! Make sure you make a notation if you decide to add a quote!

7. Write a super essay! Take your outline and start writing your paragraphs in complete sentences. Make sure you have a topic sentence, and continue to support your main idea.

8. Check your work! Go back to your checklist. Match it up against your essay - does it have all the criteria? If you missed something - go back and add it to your essay! Check one more time.