“ESP”: Knowing How to

Write An Essay
(Word Version)

1. Examine (Read) the Question Carefully

Is the question actually asking more than one question?

If so, circle one question and underline the other.  (Make sure you answer both!)

2. Start Your Answer with a

 General Statement that Repeats

 Part of the Question

          EXAMPLE Question:  Why is it important to study math?

          Beginning of a BAD answer:      It is important because….

          Beginning of a BAD answer:      Because you need to….

          Beginning of a GOOD answer:  Studying math is important because….

NEVER begin an answer with a pronoun such as He, She, His, Her, It, They,

Their, Our, We or the word Because.

   3. PROVE Your General Statement with

 as many DETAILS as possible.

A DETAIL tells Who, What, When, Where, Why,

How, or “For Example”

4. Is there another part of the question that needs to

 be answered?  If so, REPEAT Steps 2 and 3!