Consider what you know about the topic. Pose the questions, such as who, what, when, where, why and how, about the topic. Research the topic's historical and cultural context. Identify the genre. Write a summary of the text. Examine how the logic is advanced from one stage to the next. Identify sections that elicit a strong personal reaction. Determine if there are any missing steps in the logic or if the text's progression does not make sense.
Divide the text into sections. Analyze how sections interrelate to create the entire structure. Drill down your analysis in each section. Synthesize the sections after analysis. Search for connections between the parts based upon your ideas about the text. Take a position after becoming informed on the material. Formulate your thesis or argument into a statement of a few sentences.
Outline the paper. Organize the major sections to include an introduction, the opposing argument, evidence for your argument and a conclusion. Place the opposing argument with your rebuttal before or after the supporting paragraphs. Structure the paper's progression so that it starts with broad concepts and advances towards specific and concrete evidence, thus resembling a funnel.
State the major idea for each paragraph in one or two sentences as if each paragraph requires a mini-thesis statement. Flesh out each piece of evidence in a paragraph. Draw on quotes and examples from the text to support the evidence. Leverage the research and analysis that you did earlier to frame the evidence in an informed way.
Recapitulate and condense your argument in the conclusion, and expand on the idea in a novel way or pose another question to strengthen your finale.
Use the proper tone and style. Focus on the actor in sentence construction. Employ concrete nouns and active verbs. Different disciplines require a particular style. Check manuals, such as the APA of MLA style sheets, for specific information on formatting standards for a particular discipline.