producing an essay in 10 steps: a checklist

(for details see simplify your study: peter lia unit 6.2)

essay no.	word limit:	hand in date:
essay question:
step	activity	time
1	Work on the essay question. Break it down on A3 unlined paper. Reformat it from linear to spatial form. Use the ELP strategy.	10 mins
2	Brainstorm the question. Get down initial ideas or knowledge. If you don’t understand the question, ask the person who set it.	20 mins
3	Before starting the main research phase: go small! Do some brief, initial research. Look at concise sources like lecture notes.	1 day
4	When you have more focus, start the main research phase. Make notes in your preferred style. Start your Reference List.	varies
5	During research, try to identify the ideas and information relevant to your essay. Order does not matter at this stage.	-
6	Draw up an essay plan. If you have noted the conclusion, use it to order the plan. Write an aim for each main section of the plan.	30 mins
7	Before writing, allocate your notes (ideas and information) to the appropriate sections of the essay plan.	30 mins
8	Using your essay plan as a guide, write the first draft. Your aim is to get your ideas down in the right place and in the right order.	varies
9	Write the second draft of the essay.	varies
10	Edit and proofread the essay.	1-2 days