Chapter seven shows you how to prepare for timed essays. Learn how to research your exam, howto familiarize yourself with possible topic choices, and how to budget your time dur¬ing the writing process. The more you know before writing a timed essay, the less stress you will feel during the exam, and the better the writing you will be able to produce. | Timed Essay Writing Strategies CHAPTER 7 HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS 89 for your side. However it is important to use reasoning and understanding to refute them. If you don t sound fair or simply present emotional reasons why your side is best you have weakened your argument. You must show that your idea is most legitimate in part because other ideas are weak or incorrect. Key verbs that will help you identify a call to write a persuasive essay include criticize express your judgment about the strengths and weaknesses of your topic and draw conclusions evaluate assess the topic based on its strengths and weaknesses drawing conclusions justify defend or uphold your position on the topic using convincing evidence prove confirm or verify that something is real or true using evidence examples and sound reasoning Parts of the Timed Essay When you have just 25 or 45 or 60 minutes to write an essay there is no time to waste on innovative structure. You must address the topic in a clear well-organized fashion using examples and details to make your point. The best way to accomplish those goals is to stick to a traditional format. Aim for an introduction at least two to three body paragraphs and a concluding paragraph. By writing within such a format your ideas will be easily available to your reader the person scoring your essay and you will have more time to develop and substantiate them. INTRODUCTION The most important part of your introduction is a clear thesis statement that refers directly to the topic. Get to the point because the real meat of your essay where you can deliver the greatest impact to the reader is in the body. Stating your thesis quickly and clearly means avoiding disclaimers such as I m not sure but . and This may not be right . Such disclaimers are a waste of time and could prejudice your reader against your writing. No matter how strong your argument becomes in later paragraphs that initial poor impression could stick with him or her. In addition do .
