Step 3: Compose your first paragraph. It should summarize and
introduce the key points you will make in your essay. This is where
superior essay answers are made or unmade.
Step 4: Write your essay, with your penmanship as legible as
possible. Most teachers I’ve known do notattempt to decipher chicken
scratch masquerading as an essay and do notaward high grades to
it either.
Step 5: Reread your essay and, if necessary, add points left out,
correct spelling, grammar, and so on. Also watch for a careless
omission that could cause serious damage—like leaving out a “not,”
for example, and making the point opposite the one you intended
to write.
If there is a particular fact you know is important and should
be included, but you just don’t remember it, guess. Otherwise, just
leave it out and do the best you can. If the rest of your essay is well
thought out and organized and clearly communicates all the other
points that should be included, I doubt most teachers will mark you
down too severely for such an omission.
Don’t set yourself up for a poor grade by making guesses you really
don’t have to. If you think something occurred in 1784, but are afraid
it could be 17 9 4, just write “in the late 18thcentury.” You probably
will notbe marked down for the latter phrase, but willlose a point
or two if you cite a wrong date.
Remember: Few teachers will be impressed by length. A well-
organized, well-constructed, specific answer will always get you
a better grade than writing down everything you know in the faint
hope that you will actually include something pertinent. Writing
a superior essay on the little you do know will usually earn you a
better grade than knowing a lot and presenting it poorly.
Start out right, with a brief, to-the-point first paragraph that doesn’t
meander or “pad.” End your essay with a clearly written and
organized paragraph that offers more than just a summation of
what you’ve already written.
204 How to Study