If you have less than one hour to write an assignment, start by breaking the task into clear steps. First, spend 10 minutes planning. Write down the topic and quickly list three main points you want to make. For example, if the topic is "Why school uniforms should be required," your points might be: they save time in the morning, they reduce peer pressure, and they help students focus on learning. Add one short example for each point. This quick outline gives you a path to follow and saves time later. Skipping the plan often leads to weak essays with mixed ideas.
Next, use the largest part of your hour, around 40 minutes, to write the full essay using your outline. Start with a short introduction that clearly says what your essay is about. For example: “School uniforms help students by saving time, lowering stress, and keeping attention on learning.” Then write three body paragraphs, one for each point. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. Example: “Uniforms save time because students do not have to choose what to wear every day.” Follow it with one or two short sentences that explain or support the idea. Keep your language clear and simple so your message is easy to follow.
Now that your outline is ready, begin with the introduction. This part should be short, usually three or four sentences. Start with a hook that gets attention. For example, you can ask a question like, “Do school uniforms really help students focus?” After that, write your main idea in one sentence. This is called a thesis statement. For example: “School uniforms are helpful because they save time, reduce pressure, and help students concentrate better.” Keep your introduction simple and clear. Do not try to sound too smart or use difficult words. Your goal is to show the reader what your essay will talk about.
If you are required to include some references, you can do it within an hour as well. You may have to use some quick skimming tools and some great investigating tools, but it can be done. Get an idea of the quotes or ideas that will help your paper. Once you have a list of ideas, start reading or skimming through articles on your topic. To do this effectively, use all of the many different features that your reference library allows to narrow down your search as much as possible. Use the advanced search option if available. It will help you weed out the perfect articles that discuss the things that your paper is about.
When you are developing an essay, you want to complete the introduction and conclusion last. Once you have your outline done and your evidence gathered, you can finally start working on the introduction. If you were reading the paper, what things would you need to know about your topics to help you understand the rest of the paper? You have to assume that the reader won’t know anything about your topic prior to the first time that they read it. This is the most important part. Jot down the various things that you would need to know to understand the paper and these are the things that you will need to include in your introduction.
The transitions are important because they link ideas. They also add to your word count and get you closer to completing your assignment. It is a great way to make the paper flow. The idea is to create transitional phrases that pull the ideas together. You should have one at the beginning and the end of every paragraph. You can just have one at the beginning and one at the end as well. Next you want to create transitions that link ideas within a paragraph. For example, if you are giving two pieces of evidence, you want to make a sentence that links them. The transition can be as easy as a single word like “also” or a more specific link that is spelled out.
When you write an essay during an exam or when you are in a hurry, it is important to stay calm and think clearly. Do not try to write everything at once. First, take a few minutes to understand the question and plan your ideas. Use short and clear sentences. Focus on structure: write one paragraph for each point. Do not waste time thinking about big words. Simple language is better when you are working fast. If you get stuck, move to the next point and come back later. Always leave a few minutes at the end to read your essay and fix small mistakes. Practicing this method before an exam can help you feel more confident.