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PROCESS ONE. Choose a topic or focus on your assigned topic.

In some cases you will be assigned or will have a topic to write about. This is often the case with business or personal essay writing. In some academic situations you may be asked to select your own specific topic within a broader subject range. For instance, you may have to write about Shakespearian tragedy, but the topic may be anything you desire in that arena. Having to select your own topic adds an additional step to this process, but either way you will have to hone in on specific points related to your central thesis or topic so that you will begin to develop a clear idea of where you plan on going with your writing.

PROCESS TWO. Develop your ideas.

The best way to generate the specific ideas you want to convey, research, or cover in your essay is to use the standard writing rules. With every essay, answer the following questions clearly for yourself:

  1. Who are your audience and what are you trying to tell them?

  2. What is the main purpose of your essay?

  3. Who are you? What image do you want to convey about yourself as a person and a writer?
Brainstorming may be helpful to begin with. (List a bunch of ideas without regard to exploring or judging them at the moment).

PROCESS THREE. Outline

Creating an outline helps organize your information, points, and components into a cohesive, clear format. Often, in an academic setting, an outline will be requested and required before your topic is accepted or your essay is handed in. You may use alpha-numeric headings or decimal. Alpha-numeric is acceptable for most uses but it makes no difference which you use. You may ask your educator or superior which they prefer if you are unsure about which to use.

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