Ask how much time is available for writing the essay. The e-Write test usually has a time limit of an hour, but colleges can modify that. If the time limit has not been specified, ask the staff at the testing center before you begin writing the essay so that you can decide how to divide the time you have between developing the content and writing the essay.
Read the writing prompt carefully to understand the topic of the essay. Spend a few minutes to collect your thoughts on the matter. Use the scratch pad provided to note down key points you will cover in your essay. Order these points in a logical sequence to provide a sense of organization to your essay.
Begin with an introductory paragraph where you state the question in the writing prompt using your own words. State your response to that question in brief and mention the points you will be covering in the rest of your essay. This section should read like an overview of the topic.
Write the body of the essay in small, well-organized paragraphs that flow in a smooth, ordered sequence. Use the right transition words such as "next," "similarly," "however," "on the other hand" and "therefore" to move from one idea to the next. Keep paragraphs short and write about four to five paragraphs, with each one covering one of the points you mentioned in the introductory paragraph.
Use a variety of words and sentence constructions to avoid sounding repetitive. Provide relevant examples to lend credence to your points. Anticipate what others may say to counter your viewpoint and build your essay to respond to these arguments.
End your essay with a concluding paragraph that summarizes your stance on the issue. Restate the ideas with which you began your essay, but in different words. Add a quote or a relevant statistic that you can attribute to a reliable source to reinforce your position. Review your entire essay and check for a coherent flow and spelling and grammar mistakes.