Information Gathering and Research

• Use bibliographic database tools to find articles published in essay collections and periodicals. Search for these using keywords such as the authors' names and unique terminology.
  
  

Analysis of Scholarly Views

• Aim to read at least one essay by two or three of the major scholarly contributors in your field of research, paying attention to how their arguments intersect, points of controversy and areas of consensus.
  
  

Thesis

• Formulate a thesis statement. This should be a claim about your subject that builds on, or presents an alternative to, one of the scholarly views you learned about through your research. It should also make use of an established method of interpretation (such as new historicism, post-structuralism, gender studies or psychoanalysis.)
  
  

Outline

• Write an outline of your essay. The basic model of an essay includes an introduction, a three-paragraph body and the conclusion. Each step of the body portion of the outline should include a subtopic statement and two supporting details.
  
  

Introduction, Body, Conclusion

• The introduction should state your thesis and sketch out your main argument. The body should marshal the evidence gathered from your research and refute objections. Your conclusion should review your argument and suggest directions for future research.
  
  

Revisions

• After writing your first draft, have a friend read your essay to determine whether it is comprehensible to a non-specialist and have him raise any objections or ask basic questions about your argument. Then go over the essay with a writing tutor. Follow her suggestions to make the writing smoother and delete unnecessary information.
  
  

Formatting

• Format your essay using MLA (for research in the humanities) or APA (for research in the social sciences) style. Make sure that you attribute all quotes to their sources. Prepare a bibliography or a works cited page. Give your essay a title.