Step 1:

1. Writing an Effective Paper Step 1: Think of a thesis and then write it as clearly as you possibly can. Your thesis statement should be something which a person can either agree or disagree with – not something which is simply true or false. Note: It often takes 3 or more revisions to make an idea into an effective thesis statement. Thesis Statement

2. Writing an Effective Paper Step 2: Come up with 3 to 4 main ideas that support your thesis and which can be backed up with concrete evidence. These will form your body paragraphs. Come up with the strongest 1 or 2 points somebody arguing against your idea would likely use. This will comprise your Devil’s Advocate paragraph. Supporting Idea #1 Thesis Statement Supporting Idea #2 Supporting Idea #3 “Devil’s Advocate” Idea(s)

3. Writing an Effective Paper Step 3: Hunt for evidence. For each idea from step 2, you’ll need 2 pieces of evidence for an English paper and 4 pieces of evidence for a social science or science paper. Evidence 1: Evidence 2: Evidence 3: Evidence 4: Supporting Idea #1 Thesis Statement Evidence 1: Evidence 2: Evidence 3: Evidence 4: Supporting Idea #2 Evidence 1: Evidence 2: Evidence 3: Evidence 4: Supporting Idea #3 “Devil’s Advocate” Idea(s)

4. Writing an Effective Paper Step 4: Start by filling in the red parts of your paper: Intro Hook Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3 Thesis Statement Supporting Idea Intro Commentary x1 Evidence x2 Commentary x1 Evidence x2 MiniConclusion *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence is reversed in English usually. Body x3 Devil’s Advocate Idea(s) Commentary + Evidence Conclusion

5. Writing an Effective Paper Step 5: Then, write the black parts: Intro Hook Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3 Thesis Statement Supporting Idea Intro Commentary x1 Evidence x2 Commentary x1 Evidence x2 MiniConclusion *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence is reversed in English usually. Body x3 Devil’s Advocate Idea(s) Commentary + Evidence Conclusion

6. Writing an Effective Paper Step 6: Last, cut and paste your intro into your conclusion: Intro Hook Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3 Thesis Statement Supporting Idea Intro Commentary x1 Evidence x2 Commentary x1 Evidence x2 MiniConclusion *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence is reversed in English usually. Body x3 Devil’s Advocate Idea(s) Commentary + Evidence Conclusion

7. Writing an Effective Paper Step 7: To finish, turn your conclusion into an effective wrap up… Conclusion: • Reword the hook and the summary of supporting evidence and make it about 3 sentences. • Mention the arguments made and answered in your devil’s advocate paragraph. • Conclude with a restatement of your thesis statement using stronger language.

8. Writing an Effective Paper Step 8: Finishing Touches Title Page Cite Sources / Bibliography Proof Read Peer Review and Revise Proof Read Again