Think Before You Begin

Topic Selection

If you have not been given a topic, select one that you are familiar with and comfortable writing about. Think about how you’ll use the techniques on the previous pages when deciding what to define in your essay.

Writing for Your Audience

Are you writing a technical essay? Are you writing for your peers? Does your audience have prior knowledge on the topic? Are you writing to a certain group?

Prewriting Techniques

Which prewriting techniques may help you write your essay? Do you want to use a prewriting technique to write your essay, or do you want to start with a rough draft? Brainstorms may help you think of various connotations of a word, term, or concept.

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