Academic Writing Steps
- Step 1: Choose an essay topic
- Step 2: Dissect your essay topic
- Step 3: Rewrite the essay question
- Step 4: Begin gathering broad ideas
- Step 5: Brainstorm
- Step 6: Develop a thesis
- Step 7: Read to support your thesis
- Step 8: Draw a mind map
- Step 9: Write an essay proposal
- Step 10: Draft your introduction
- Step 11: Write the first draft of the essay
- Step 12: Check your draft for problems
- Step 13: Second draft
- Steps 14–16: Proofread and edit your essay
Step 14
Proofread your essay. Remember that a computer spell check will not correct your sentence structure. If you can, it is a good idea to get someone else to proofread it too. They are likely to see errors that you miss. Edit to fix up any errors.
Step 15
Put your final draft away for at least 24 hours. Read it over, checking that it answers the question and fits together in a logical way. Check again for sentence structure, correct referencing and correct presentation.
Step 16
Submit your essay!