Develop your thesis statement. This is not simply the subject of your paper, but the approach you will take in addressing the subject. For example, your thesis would not be "The Sun Also Rises," but rather "The Indulgence of the Lost Generation in 'The Sun Also Rises.'"
Write an introduction that will clue your audience into what you are writing. Include your thesis statement in your introduction. This will allow your reader to know what your paper is about while allowing you to briefly outline your essay.
Provide several body paragraphs that focus on ideas that support your thesis. Introduce each idea in a separate paragraph that includes several sentences that further express the point you are trying to make. Most paragraphs should include in-text citations that support your position.
Add a conclusion paragraph. This should not simply be a paraphrasing of the body of your essay, but rather a brief explanation as to how you used the information in your essay to support your thesis statement.
Format your entire paper--including your bibliography and footnotes--in MLA style. Modern Language Association formatting includes double-spacing text, including a proper header and using 12 point font.
Contribute a Works Cited Page, also known as a bibliography. To avoid copyright infringement and being accused of plagiarism, you will always need to cite your sources.