192 / Types of Writing
STEP 3: Prewriting—Organizing the Response
You have already organized the main ideas in Step 2. Now you must organize each
response. In general, follow this plan:
-^ Give an introductory statement, usually beginning with the same words as or
words similar to those in the question. For instance, refer once again to the
first sentence in each response to the three examples earlier in this section:
Example 1: Quantum numbers are numerical descriptions that, when
taken together, describe a given electron in a given atom.
Example 2: Emily Dickinson’s poem, “She Sweeps with Many-Colored
Brooms,” works well because of a predominant image.
Example 3: Two qualified candidates have conducted their equally active
campaigns to influence the voters of the 8th District.
-^ State your topic sentence if the answer requires only a single paragraph.
[See topic sentence in the Glossary, and see Writing a Paragraph in Chapter 2,
Writing, for detailed explanation and examples.]
-^ Give your thesis statement if the answer requires a several-point response. [See^
thesis sentence in the Glossary, and see Writing a Multi-Paragraph Paper in
Chapter 2, Writing, for detailed explanation and examples.]
-^ Present the main ideas and the specific support.
-^ Conclude the response, restating the general topic.
STEP 4: Writing—Keeping to the Point
As you write, follow your plan carefully. You have no time to be distracted or go off
on tangents. Try to remember these guidelines:
-^ Keep to the point. Avoid padding with unrelated details or allowing stray ideas
to get in your way.
-^ Follow the outline you planned in steps 2 and 3.
-^ Be specific. Use dates, names, places, formulas, details—whatever concrete
evidence best supports the topic.
-^ Watch the time so you do not overextend in one area and slight another. You’ll
lose valuable points for incomplete answers.
STEP 5: Revising and Proofreading—Checking Your
Response
Because you have only three minutes planned for checking your response, you will
do any quick revising and proofreading as a single step. Check for spelling; accurate