5: Writing in Class

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If you’re writing in class, on a time limit, the first thing you should do is decide how much time you should spend on each step in the writing process. If you have an hour, consider spending your time this way:

5-10 minutes planning,
30-40 minutes composing, and
10-25 minutes revising, editing, and proofreading.

If you’re allowed to write your essay on loose-leaf paper, try putting each paragraph on a separate page. This gives you the option of rearranging the order of your paragraphs if you need to. If you must write in a theme book and you don’t want to write your introduction first, leave space for it at the beginning.

If you can, skip lines as you write. This will allow you to make neat corrections on your first draft. Some students prefer to write out a rough draft and then copy it over, and this can work very well. Since you have limited time, however, it’s best to give yourself a “backup plan” in case you run out of time, and skipping lines can help with this.

Prewriting

Preparing for an Essay Exam (Part 1)

Preparing for an Essay Exam (Part 2)

References