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\nYour introduction should first clearly articulate the argument in the given statement. Show the reader that you understand the implications of the issue at hand. Then, articulate your stance on the issue, indicating your agreement, disagreement, or qualification of the statement\u2019s argument. Don\u2019t get too specific with your evidence here, but do give an informative outline of your main arguments.
\nYour thesis, which is essentially a sentence or two that outlines your argument, should go at the end of the introduction. Ideally, your thesis statement should be organically integrated into your introduction. The purpose of your introduction is to build up to your argument, so we don\u2019t want the thesis seem forced or out of place.
\nDon\u2019t worry too much about refining your thesis statement at this stage. In fact, you may choose to write the thesis after you\u2019ve written your body because your argument may slightly change during the writing process. If you\u2019re taking a computer-based exam, this is no big deal. No need to leave a chunk of blank space\u2014the magic of word processing takes care of this.
\nThese two stages of the writing process should take about 6 minutes; when combined with the initial brainstorming stage, it should take about 9 minutes tops. That doesn\u2019t seem like a lot of time, but you really want to devote the bulk of your time to the body paragraphs. Not only are the body paragraphs the most important and most heavily weighted part of the essay, but the process of writing them will help you refine your own ideas. Very often, writing the body paragraphs leads to a more fine-tuned thesis, so do not strictly limit your argument before you begin writing.
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Starting the Body<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nIf you have written a solid outline of your essay, then, by all means, follow it. If you haven\u2019t yet figured out the order of your ideas, but you have grouped them into coherent sections, then begin with what you feel is easiest to write (a paragraph that is easy to write is often convincing and logical). Remember, if you realize that a different order of body paragraphs would make more sense, then you can arrange them later. Taking a computer test has its perks\u2014take advantage of them.
\nEach one of your body paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about. Since the essay graders are not spending much time on each essay, make their lives easier by providing a roadmap to follow. A clear essay makes a happy grader; a happy grader makes a happy test-taker.
\nIf you decide to qualify the prompt statement and choose to present opposing sides of an argument, then paragraph order is very important. For example, if you\u2019re evaluating the argument that \u201cpolitical leaders should withhold information from the public,\u201d you might want to argue that while political leaders cannot be expected to divulge the embarrassing minutia of their personal lives, they must remain honest in order to avoid falling into demagoguery and to uphold the values of democracy. What I\u2019ve done with this thesis is concede a point to my opposition, which I will acknowledge in the beginning of my essay, but then I will end strong with my \u201chonest is the best policy\u201d argument. It would be nonsense to end my evidence with a concession. The last body paragraph is the one that will most strongly resonate with your reader, so if you opt for a thesis like this one, start with your concession and move into your strong argument.
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Conclusion<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nNo matter how tired you are after writing the body paragraphs, you must write a conclusion. Some may argue that the conclusion paragraph is often superfluous or redundant, but it is still a convention that you adhere to\u2014at least for the GRE. The conclusion is meant for you to remind the reader of the main thrust of your essay. In your conclusion, restate your thesis, preferably in different words. If you can, try to think of a larger implication of your argument. Ask yourself \u201cso what\u201d after you\u2019ve written these 500 words, and maybe a broader implication will come to you. If it doesn\u2019t, don’t worry: an insightful flourish at the end of an essay may help put you into 6 territory, but don\u2019t stress about forcing brilliance if it\u2019s not coming naturally.
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Revise<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nAllow yourself around 8-10 minutes to revise your essay. Watch out for awkward phrasing, inappropriate diction, and poor grammar. While you are reading through for these mechanical errors, think about the logical flow of your essay. You do have that copy\/paste function to rearrange sentences and paragraphs, so use it to your advantage. When rereading your essay, keep these things in mind:
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