Essay Planning Guide
Steps:
1. Answer this question: What does this prompt want me to do?
a. What parts of the passage/text will help me to do it?
b. What literary elements do  need to consider?
2. Answer this question: So what?
a. What is the insight you gain from this text? What truths can you reveal about this
passage to your reader?
3. Fill out the guide that follows.
4. Write the first draft from the notes on the guide. Fill in the missing links. Make the essay
read fluently. Organize the information carefully. Just because a paragraph is planned as
#1 below, it does not have to remain the first paragraph in the essay. Think about a logical
strategy.
5. Review your thesis and make sure it is worded precisely. Does it say what you want it to
say?
6. Check to make sure you have used the literary present tense.
7. Make necessary revisions.
8. Hand in your best work, typed according to format specifications.