The UPOWER acronym offers a plan of action for writing timed essays.
Understand the Prompt
Pick a Side
Outline
Write a Thesis/Introduction
Evidence and Ending
Revise
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Understand the Prompt
Try rewriting the prompt in your own words to help you better understand what central question it is asking you to answer. It may help to reread the question and underline key words and phrases. Consider how many parts there are to the question: if multiple prompts are present, break down the prompts into subgroups. Determine if you should answer each question individually, or if the questions contain similar themes that should be answered as a group.
Pick a Side
The majority of timed writing prompts expect the writer to develop a central thesis or claim. Decide what point you want to argue. Does the prompt already offer you a claim to defend or refute? If you are unsure what you want to argue, jotting a quick list of relevant ideas or evidence might help you focus in on a claim. Remember that sometimes the “right” answer may not always be the easiest to argue.
Outline
Imagine your outline as a blueprint to your essay; any time that you experience mid-essay writer’s block, a quick glance at the outline can sharpen your focus. You can outline your paper using a formalized list, an idea map, or another method that works for you. Practice outlining to determine what method helps you organize ideas concisely. In your outline, include your main point (thesis statement) and multiple supporting evidence points.
Write a Thesis/Introduction
Unless directed otherwise by the prompt, at a bare minimum your introduction should include a clear central claim—a thesis statement that indicates what you will be arguing in your essay. If you are already feeling time constraints, this claim may suffice for your introduction.
If you have more time, expand the introduction. Some writers will prefer to do this right away, while others will prefer to return to the introduction after the rest of the essay is complete. The introduction might include a brief outline of the supporting evidence you plan to use later in the essay, as well as a creative “hook” that draws your readers in.
Evidence and Ending
A strong thesis statement holds no weight without supporting evidence. As you craft the support for your claim, draw on the outline you sketched out previously. Be efficient with your time: only include information that supports your central claim. Remember that counterarguments can also serve as evidence: if you refute them well, they can strengthen your essay.
One way to help you clarify the connections between evidence and claim—and to help you make sure you’re staying on topic—is to provide a clear topic sentence or subclaim in each body paragraph. Don’t feel bound to the formulaic five-paragraph essay: evidence can be sufficient without coming in groups of three.
After writing your body paragraphs, you will need to conclude your essay. Even if the conclusion to your timed essay is brief, closure is important. Try not to simply rehash what you’ve just written. You may want to identify conflicting evidence or limitations of your thesis in this section.
Revise
As soon as you have finished writing, reread your original thesis statement in the opening paragraph. Does it still effectively represent the focus of your essay? As students write body paragraphs, they often diverge from their initial thesis statements. Graders will use this thesis statement as a guide for understanding your essay, so make sure your thesis matches your essay after you finish writing. If you still have time, carefully proofread your essay. Watch for simple spelling and grammatical errors, as well as greater problems of sentence flow and structure. Look over your essay one more time; revise or tweak as needed, and you’re done!
