How to Write a Great Essay
Step 5: So What?

Check out my mini video-seminar
Thesis Statements: Four Steps to a Great Essay.

When I was writing essays all the time in college, I had this semi-rule for myself: I had to write at least as many sentences about the quotes I chose as the quotes themselves contained. For example, a three-sentence quote demanded at least a three-sentence explanation.

I'm not saying that's what you have to do. But here's my point: Your teacher is not a mind reader. He or she does not know why you included the passage you included to support Point #1 unless you tell him or her. So for every quote or passage you include ask yourself the question:

So what?

Ask yourself: What does this have to do with the point I'm making in this paragraph? What does it have to do with my thesis statement—and with my paper as a whole? Don't dance around whatever point you're trying to make. If you think a passage means something, say so. And don't be afraid to keep going deeper. Keep asking yourself "So what, so what, so what?"

Then you're ready for Step Six: Wrapping it Up.

A+ essays are never formulaic. But they do have a few things in common.

Engaging lead sentences. Provocative thesis statements. Drum-tight arguments supported by facts that are always relevant and sometimes surprising.

It's easier than you think. In How to Write an A+ Paper: A Step by Step Guide to Acing Your Next Assignment, you'll learn my strategies and techniques for writing essays that are both persuasive and engaging to read. In other words, essays that earn an A+.

Find out more at Amazon, or start by reading the introduction.

STEP FOUR. How to Write a Great Essay: Get Smart!

Find the complete eight video essay mini-series here.

STEP SIX. How to Write a Great Essay: Get an Ending!

Also at Recap Resource:

DICTIONARY OF TERMS:

Allegory
Metaphor
Motifs
Protagonist
Satire
Symbols
Subtext
Themes

MAKE YOUR OWN RECAPS:

Pick your topic
Focus your presentation
Write your script
Edit yourself
Choose your props
Create your graphics
What to do once you're done