1. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what you’re being asked to do. If not, make sure that you ask for clarification before you begin to write.
2. Carefully read and analyze the texts you have been asked to consider. These sources and your knowledge of the subject are the evidence you use to defend your thesis (argument). Therefore, before you develop your thesis you must assess the evidence. Did you consider where the evidence (document) came from? How much credibility did the author deserve? Did you need to qualify the conclusions that you drew from that piece of evidence? If so, how?
3. Now you are ready to establish your thesis. Make sure your thesis is an argument and not merely a description. In other words, make sure that you take an arguable position and state it clearly. Do not fall into the trap of simply proposing to describe what your paper is about. Do NOT use the phrase “In this think piece (or paper) I will…” unless it is followed immediately by the words “argue that,” “demonstrate why,” or “explain how.”
4. Use specific evidence from the readings (and other sources) to support your argument.
5. Explain why a particular citation of a text supports your argument. If you include references to several documents, they must prove your point. If they don’t, eliminate it. Introduce and explain each citation or reference.
6. Your conclusion should explain the significance of your thesis. It should address the broader issues that your thesis raises and discuss the implications and/or ramifications of your argument.
7. Proofread your think piece or paper. Is it free of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors? Does your think piece flow logically and chronologically? Are there transition sentences introducing new paragraphs?
8. Make sure your paper is correctly formatted.

To Review:

1. Understand the assignment.
2. Read and analyze the documents.
3. Create a thesis
4. Write an Outline:

A. Thesis Paragraph
B. Transition sentences introduce each piece of evidence that supports thesis

1. Evidence No. 1 {references a document} How does this evidence support your argument?
   2. Evidence No. 2 {references a document} How does this evidence
   support your argument?
   3. Evidence No. 3 {references a document} How does this evidence
   support your argument?
   C. Conclusion
2. Write the first draft of your think piece or paper. (Follow your outline)
   Thesis paragraph
   Body of the Paper (supporting evidence) ***Evidence should be presented in Chronological Order
   Conclusion
3. Revise and Proofread/Make sure the formatting is correct