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| In General: |
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Remember that your success largely depends on your ability to present relevant
and persuasive arguments related to your opinion or position on the writing
prompt topic.
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Use language that is appropriate for the audience and the context (e.g., letter
to the mayor, newspaper editorial) of the writing assignment.
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Create your essay using a multiple step procedure similar to the one outlined
below.
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| Step 1 |
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Write a concise, direct, and clear statement of your opinion or position on the
essay topic.
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Brainstorm, writing down ideas for arguments you might present in support of
your opinion.
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Identify and write down examples, facts, or details that bolster each of these
arguments.
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| Step 2 |
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Select the three or four arguments that seem the strongest or most persuasive.
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Think about how to order and link the arguments you select, numbering them and
writing down notes on key transitional phrases or ideas.
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Write down a summarizing and concluding statement.
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| Step 3 |
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Write a quick first draft of your essay beginning with your position statement,
followed by your arguments connected with transition statements and in the
planned order, and ending with a summary and conclusion paragraph.
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| Step 4 |
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Focus on strengthening arguments, connections and transitions, and the
concluding paragraph.
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Refine your sentence structures and diction, and check your punctuation,
capitalization, and adherence to rules of grammar and usage.
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| Step 5 |
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When you feel that you are hard pressed to improve your essay, write your final
draft
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