Essay Skills

Practice Writing an Essay

This program provides an opportunity to write an essay under conditions similar to those of the PPST.

Select a time when you have a half-hour to spend on this task. You will be given a choice of topics and an area to type your essay. At the end of the time, submit your essay.

As preparation for writing an essay, you need to practice the process.

Follow the steps listed below:

1. Create a brainstorming diagram for your chosen topic.

2. Write your thesis statement.

3. Write a rough outline for your essay which must, at a minimum, include the topic sentences.

4. Follow your outline and write the essay. Do not allow yourself to be distracted.

5. Revise and correct your essay.

a) Look closely at transitions between sentences and paragraphs.

b) Eliminate wordiness, slang, or jargon.

c) Make certain a variety of sentence patterns are used.

d) Maintain a consistent point of view.

e) Check spelling, punctuation, pronoun usage, etc.

Click here when you are ready to write your practice essay.