Once you have identified and researched a subject, brainstorm ideas for how to tackle it. Take advantage of group discussions to get ideas from other people that you may not think of yourself. Read over your notes and research material to juggle different perspectives you can take.
Use the process of clustering to help you identify the main topic and organize your research material, notes and ideas floating about in your head. Draw a large circle on a piece of paper and write subject of the essay in large letters above it. Write down the main points of the essay within the circle in smaller print and the details associated with the main points in even smaller print within smaller circles emanating from the large circle.
Create an outline to further organize and develop the focus of the essay. Start your outline with your topic or thesis sentence. Give each main point within the essay its own section and write down specific ideas or details beneath the main point.
Start writing the essay with a strong introductory paragraph that gives the reader an idea of what to expect. Begin the first paragraph with your topic or thesis sentence or make this the last sentence in the first paragraph, depending on specific instructions. Get the reader's attention, state the main idea and set the tone for the entire essay by using elements such as humor, formal language, slang, or other ways of establishing voice. Place three body paragraphs that each focus on and support a different aspect of your argument. The concluding paragraph should revisit the main ideas and tie them all together.
Begin each three of the body paragraphs with a strong sentence that brings up the supporting point to made throughout the rest of the paragraph.
Conclude a correct essay by smoothly connecting the summation to the ideas presented in the opening paragraph and its supporting paragraphs. Avoid mere repetition of the facts presented in your opening paragraph, but reinforce them through summarizing the main points of the essay. Address any questions about the topic left unanswered in the body paragraphs in your conclusion.
Read over your completed essay to look for spelling errors, lapses in grammar, lack of focus and missing details. Correct any problems with the essay during this review. Check for any information that you have included that is tangential to the main idea and replace it with information directly related to that idea.