1. Please copy into the Class Notes section of your notebook.
Tips for Timed Writing
Please copy into the Class Notes section of your notebook.

2. What follows are some tips and strategies for you to use when assigned a timed essay.
In a timed essay, time is of the essence. You need to organize your thoughts, write your essay, and self-edit in a timely manner.

3. Annotate the prompt
In order to effectively respond to a prompt, it is important to fully understand the prompt.
Read the prompt carefully (and often several times), circling key words. It is okay to annotate the prompt.
Understand what it is asking.
Identify how many parts there are to the question.
Stay focused on a consistent central idea while answering the prompt.
Examine the prompt that has been given to you. Take time to fully understand it, identify the multiple questions, and annotate the prompt (circle key words, etc.)

4. Create a working thesis
In a timed essay, your thesis will generally be your answer to the prompt.
You will want to make this answer immediately clear to your reader, so it is best to put your thesis statement in your introductory paragraph. Make it the last sentence of your introduction.
After examining the prompt, answer the prompt in a single sentence. This will act as your thesis statement.

5. Plan your main points
Select an appropriate number of main points to support your thesis.
Present them in a clear order, so the essay proceeds smoothly from and logically from one point to the next.
After crafting your thesis, create a web of ideas that you can use to begin planning your essay. Your thesis should go in the middle, and a number of supporting points should be on the outside.

6. Thesis Statement Idea of Support Idea of Support Idea of Support

7. Craft an outline with your main points included
Once you have a working thesis and some ideas for support, create a working outline that organizes all of your thoughts.
With the supporting ideas that are similar, consider grouping them together. Otherwise, devote your main supporting points into separate paragraphs.
Keep in mind that each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, i.e. the first sentence in the paragraph, that directly supports your thesis. Keep in mind that each body paragraph should be in PEA format.
Write an outline for a five- paragraph timed essay. Look to the following model.

8. Intro
Thesis
I. Body #1
a. Supporting Point
II. Body #2
Conclusion

9. Other tips for when you begin writing…
Don’t worry so much about grammar and punctuation while you are writing.
Do however, take some time to proofread and self-edit once you have finished.
Next class the following timeframe will be used:
10 Minutes – Prewriting
Read the prompt carefully, circle key words
Craft a thesis
Cluster your ideas
40-45 Minutes – Writing the essay
Write your essay following the outline
10 Minutes – Proofreading
Proofread your essay carefully adding missed evidence, catching misspellings, putting in left out words, revising confusing sentences, joining sentences where appropriate, etc.