This is your "north star." In one or two sentences, state your main argument or the core message of the essay.

End the introduction by dropping your thesis statement. 3. The Body Paragraphs (The Rooms)

Figure out what you’re actually being asked. Are you arguing a point, explaining a concept, or comparing two things?

Read it out loud. If you stumble over a sentence, it probably needs a rewrite.

End with a final thought that leaves an impression—a "so what?" moment that connects your topic to the bigger picture. 5. The Polish (The Inspection)

Delete filler words like "very," "really," or "I think."

Check your spelling and citations. A great argument can be ruined by a simple typo.

Don't skip this. Map out your intro, three main points (body paragraphs), and your conclusion. This prevents you from getting lost mid-sentence. 2. The Introduction (The Hook)