Essential Writing Skills for College and Beyond (2014)

APPENDIX A. ESSAY-WRITING TIMELINES

SUGGESTED WRITING TIMELINE FOR THREE-DAY DEADLINE

If you have fewer than three days to write your essay, compress the timeline accordingly. If you glance at the steps below, you will hopefully notice all the work required will be difficult to handle in fewer than three days, and indeed you are right. It usually takes at least three days to write a strong essay, so I recommend you give yourself at least that much time.

DAY ONE

· Read the prompt carefully; circle keywords or terms such as “analyze,” “compare/contrast,” or “evaluate.”

· Rewrite the prompt in your own words, and compare your version to the actual prompt to make sure you understand it.

· Brainstorm and/or freewrite for fifteen to twenty minutes (repeat if necessary).

· Write a skeleton outline, or compose at least one body paragraph.

· Review the selection(s) you must write about in the essay, and reread all notes you took; write down any ideas that come to mind as you read.

· E-mail or call your instructor and request that she read over your rough draft.

DAY TWO

PART I

· Reread the outline or body paragraph(s) you composed yesterday.

· Begin writing the body paragraphs, the introduction, or the conclusion paragraph—whichever element of the essay you feel most comfortable writing. Make yourself write until you have a good-sized rough draft (preferably three-fourths of the word count of the assignment but at least half).

· Print, and then take a break!

PART II

· Read your draft from beginning to end, and make any necessary changes.

· Write down any concerns or questions you have for your instructor.

· Discuss the essay with your instructor, and take notes on her suggestions.

· Immediately sit down and incorporate her suggestions into the paper.

DAY THREE

· Print the essay, and read it; note any changes you want to make.

· Enter these changes in your electronic version.

· Reprint and reread one last time, making any necessary changes.

· Print the edited version, and turn it in.

· Make a quick note of your process on the essay (the order in which you wrote it, what was stressful or not for you, and what you would do differently next time).

When the instructor returns your essay, always read her comments. Use this feedback to improve in your next assignment. If you are not pleased with your grade or have any questions at all, visit the instructor and politely ask for clarification on comments or grading.

SUGGESTED RESEARCH PROJECT TIMELINE FOR TWO-WEEK DEADLINE

WEEK ONE

PART I

· Follow the three-day timeline outlined on the previous pages.

· Get approval of your topic and perspective from your instructor.

PART II

· Write your research question(s).

· Make your keyword list.

· Go to your college or university library’s online catalog and database, and search for articles and books. (Be sure you use the types of sources your assignment requires.)

· Save all your findings, and e-mail them to yourself.

· Select which sources to read, and incorporate them into your essay.

· Go to your college or university library, and get your books; print or save articles you plan to read.

WEEK TWO

PART I

· Make an appointment with your instructor to discuss your project thus far.

· Immediately incorporate his suggestions.

· Read and take notes on selected sources. (Follow SQ3R, or use a Research Template.)

· Tie their ideas to yours. (Formulate your response to them: Yes, No, or Maybe?)

· Select the best quotes to illustrate your points, and insert them into your essay.

· Write down any concerns or questions you have for your instructor.

PART II

· Discuss your own writing and the sources you found with your instructor; take notes on any suggestions offered.

· Immediately sit down and incorporate these suggestions into the paper.

· Print the essay, and read it; note any changes you want to make.

· Be sure your quotes flow well in the paper (tie them to your ideas and fully explain them).

· Enter any changes into your electronic version.

· Create a Works Cited page.

· Check all citations, and be sure they adhere to your assigned format style (MLA, APA, or Chicago).

· Reprint and reread one last time; double-check grammar, spelling, punctuation, and all citations.

· Print the final version, and turn it in.

SUGGESTED RESEARCH PROJECT TIMELINE FOR ONE-WEEK DEADLINE

Though some professors may only give a week and a half to write an essay, most instructors allot two weeks or more. Therefore, I do not recommend you spend only one week on a collegiate research paper. However, if unforeseen circumstances arise and you have no other choice, see the suggested timeline below. You’ll see it’s quite a bit to handle in such a short amount of time, so use it only as a last-resort option.

DAY 1

· Follow the three-day timeline outlined on the previous pages. This accelerated schedule will require you to complete all tasks within this timeline within Day 1.

· Be sure your instructor approves of your topic and perspective.

DAY 2

· Write your research question(s).

· Make your keyword list.

· Go to your college or university library’s online catalog and database, and search for articles and books. (Be sure you use the types of sources your assignment requires.)

· Save all your findings, and e-mail them to yourself.

· Select which sources to read, and incorporate them in your essay.

DAY 3

· Go to your college or university library, and get your books; print or save articles you plan to read.

· Read and take notes on selected sources. (Follow SQ3R, or use a Research Template.)

DAY 4

· Tie their ideas to yours. (Formulate your response to them: Yes, No, or Maybe?)

· Select the best quotes to illustrate your points, and insert them into your essay.

· Print the essay, and read it; note any changes you want to make.

· Make an appointment to meet with your instructor; write down any questions/concerns you have.

DAY 5

· Meet with your instructor; take notes on any suggestions or feedback.

· Incorporate all instructor suggestions.

· Be sure your quotes flow well in the paper (tie them to your ideas and fully explain them).

· Reread your essay, and make note of any changes you need to make.

DAY 6

· Enter any changes into your electronic version.

· Reprint and reread one last time; double-check grammar, spelling, punctuation, and all citations, and note any necessary changes.

· Create a Works Cited page. Check all citations, and be sure they adhere to your assigned format style (MLA, APA, or Chicago).

DAY 7

· Do a final read-through; double-check all citations.

· Print the final version, and turn it in.