Write Your Paper in One Night: Help with Late English Assignments

If you have to write an essay in one night, start by filling in this chart. It will give you the structure of the essay. All that you will have to do then is fill in the paragraphs.

The chart asks for a thesis statement and a series of topic sentences. It then asks you questions about each one, to make sure that they are on target. Once you craft your thesis and your topic sentences, all you have to do is write a paragraph for each topic sentence, using as many examples and details for each as possible.

So, fill in the blanks, and then answer the questions, and you will be well on your way to finishing your essay in one evening.

What is your thesis?

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Is your thesis arguable (will someone be likely to argue the other side)? Does it dig below the obvious statements that can be made? Is it a little bit controversial? You should answer yes to all three statements. If you can't, then revise the thesis. You can revise it at any point in the writing process. It is not set in stone.

List five topic sentences that support or relate to that thesis.

1. ____________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________________

Can you come up with a full paragraph about each topic sentence? Do a little brainstorming to see if you can. If you can't, perhaps you can combine two of the sentences into one topic sentence to get a good paragraph.

Does each topic sentence clearly relate in some way to the thesis, proving it, attacking it, clarifying it, supporting it, providing examples related to it? If one does not, delete it. Write about that topic in another essay, but not here.

Write a paragraph for each topic sentence. In doing so, don't just say that something is true. Show it happening. Give lots of details and be as visual in your descriptions as possible.

Ask yourself the following: