Writing Process and Essay Organization

Pre-Writing 

Tips on the Writing Process - from Chestnut Hill College Writing Center Tutors

This handout reviews how to begin a piece of writing and breaks down the process into manageable steps.

Concept Map/Graphic Organizer - from the Chestnut Hill College Writing Center

This visual organizer is helpful for brainstorming or focusing a topic or paragraph. Visit the Chestnut Hill College Writing Center to try software that can help you outline and organize an essay.

Getting Started on Writing an Argument - from the Swarthmore College Writing Center

Use this handout to guide your thinking on a topic and relevant evidence.

Argumentative Essay: A Graphic Organizer - from the University of Chicago’s Turabian Style Guide
Use this handout to outline an argument.

Paragraph and Essay Structure

Paragraph Structure - from the Chestnut Hill College Writing Center

Read an overview of a paragraph’s essential components and a sample paragraph.

Topic Sentences - from the Bucks County Community College Tutoring Center

Learn how to craft opening sentences that structure and unify a paragraph. 

Writing a 5-Paragraph Essay: Strategies - from the Bucks County Community College Tutoring Center

These strategies also apply to writing lengthy papers.

Writing a 5-Paragraph Essay: Graphic Organizer - from the Bucks County Community College Tutoring Center

Use this handout to outline a paper. This organizer can be adapted to lengthy papers.

Writing a Thesis Statement and an Introduction - from the Bucks County Community College Tutoring Center

More examples and a practice exercise are available in the Chestnut Hill College Writing Center.

Writing a Conclusion - from the Bucks County Community College Tutoring Center

Learn strategies for crafting an engaging conclusion, and read sample conclusions.

Transitions

Transition Words and Expressions - from the Bucks County Community College Tutoring Center

Using transitions appropriately will help smooth your writing and signal a shift in thought. See page 1 of this handout.

Transitioning between Paragraphs - from the Purdue Online Writing Lab

Discover strategies for achieving coherence, or overall organization, in your writing.

Writing the Senior Seminar Paper

Writing the Senior Seminar Paper - from Chestnut Hill College Writing Center Tutors and Graduates

This handout includes tips from Chestnut Hill College seniors who have successfully completed their senior seminar papers.

Writing a Research Paper

Writing a Research Paper - from Chestnut Hill College Writing Center Tutors

This handout provides an overview of the processes for planning, researching, outlining, and writing the research paper.