How to Write a Timed Essay

Timed writes or essays can be daunting for many new writers. Finishing five paragraphs under an hour can seem especially daunting. Crunched for time, you might feel that you are spending too much time on your intro or your body paragraphs, or don’t have enough time for your conclusion. If you are nervous, this is for you!

Understanding

First, understand the prompt.
Understand the overall idea (what is the prompt trying to ask me?).
Also understand and remember key words (what are the words that stand out the most?). For example: theme, character, and more.

Planning

DO NOT IMMEDIATELY START WRITING.
Allocate a few minutes to drafting your outline because YOU WILL BE MORE PREPARED.
For an hour-long essay, spend around 5-10 minutes prepping
For an hour-and-a-half essay, about 15 minutes.

I will write a short outline starting with a thesis.
Thesis statement will sum up your essay in one sentence.
If you can’t think of a general thesis, think of a theme.
After thinking about the theme, write your topic sentences and list about two examples underneath it for three body paragraphs.
If there are quotes used as examples, find the quote and write it out.

Tip: Do not think of finicky details for the outline. Fill those in while writing the essay.

5-Paragraph Outline:

Thesis (a sentence or theme)
Body Paragraph
1. Topic Sentence
2. Example 1 (add analysis underneath)
3. Example 2 (add analysis underneath)(repeat for body paragraph 2 and 3)
Conclusion: rephrase thesis

Five Paragraph Essay

5+ Paragraph Essay

Some teachers (especially at my school) don’t want students to write five paragraph essays. For those, I have a separate outline. This is one I thought of, and can be different from what others write, but it is an option.

5+ Paragraph Outline:

Thesis
1st Body Paragraph (one theme)
1. Topic Sentence
2. Example 1
3. Example 2
2nd Body Paragraph
1. Rephrase Topic Sentence
2. Analysis for Example 1
3. Analysis for Example 2
Repeat (one paragraph for examples, one paragraph for analysis)
Conclusion: rephrase thesis

Writing

Do not write your introduction first.
Having stronger analysis and arguments in the body is more important.
Still, write the thesis where the intro will go.

Tips on analysis, read here.

Tips on introduction, read here.

Tips on conclusion, read here.

Revising

After finishing and writing the whole essay, making it better really boils down to the small things.
Depending on the time left, reread your essay and change things to make it better.

Little Time

FOCUS ON THE TOPIC/THESIS SENTENCES ANALYSIS.
Points are awarded most on how you break down your thoughts.
Make sure your train of thought makes sense and the word choice is write.

More Time

If you have more time, focus on the smaller details.
Focus on the transitions to make your thoughts flow smoother and be careful of grammatical and spelling errors.

Final Tips

Don’t panic! Panicking can muddle your thoughts and make sure that you take a few deep breaths.
Don’t speed type! Typing too fast can muddle words (like me) and can mess up sentence structure. Slow down if necessary.

Good luck!