Preparing to write:
Decide on your topic
You can write about a special person, an interesting place, a hobby , or anything that interests you. Brainstorm with classmates or others to get ideas.
Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas
Here are some examples of ways to organize your facts and ideas once you have chosen your topic. What will you write first, next, at the end of your essay? Make sure you have enough points to write about.
 
Writing the Essay:
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I.
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Write the first draft (utkast).
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A)
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Write an introductory paragraph, starting with your thesis statement (a simple introductory sentence that tells the main idea of the essay).
Example: Baseball has been a part of life in the U.S.A. since 1840. It has developed into an extremely popular sport that is watched and played by millions of Americans. Since the game is played in the late spring and summer months, baseball players are called "The boys of summer".
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B)
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Write the body of the essay.
- This is where you give most of the information to your readers.
- You MUST use outside sources (i.e., Internet, books), to gather information and give you inspiration, and include them at the bottom of your essay.
Example: Anson Chan is said to be "the conscience of Hong Kong" (Newsweek June 9,1997:25)
- Put your information into groups / subpoints (i.e., follow your outline).
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Each subpoint (i.e., Safety Measures) should have it's own paragraph. In each paragraph try to include a complete thought.
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C)
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Write a conclusion.
The last paragraph should tie together the information in your essay. Give the reader a message or summarize what you have already said.
Example: So, when the weather is warm and your friends want to spend their time outdoors, why don't you try playing a game of baseball?
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II.
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Revise your essay and write the second draft.
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A)
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Now, get some feedback from a classmate or friend. E-mail, use the telephone, or use our chat group to discuss your ideas with someone else. Listen to what points they don't understand, what they would like to know more about, or things they need to have explained more clearly.
Think about their comments so you can make changes in your essay.
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B)
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Put your essay aside for a day or two. Take some time to think about what comments you received about what you have written. Decide what to take away and what to add.
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C)
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Write the second draft of you essay, making sure you are following the steps in point I.
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D)
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When you are satisfied with what you have written, edit your essay. If you are not satisfied, get more feedback from a classmate or friend and redo your essay.
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III.
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Edit the essay.
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A)
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Check your spelling using your computer's 'spell check'.
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B)
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Check your grammar.
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1)
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Make sure the sentence has a subject and a verb.
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2)
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Make sure the subjects and verbs agree with each other (i.e., I am, She works, He isn't).
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3)
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Check the verb tense in each sentence (i.e., use the past tense if you are talking about something that has already happened).
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C)
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Make sure the essay has an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
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D)
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Check that there is a list of sources for quotes that you have used (see references pages).
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E)
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Type your name and class number on your essay.
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F)
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Be sure your essay has a title.
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