Prof. Greg Hall

Department of History

Western Illinois University

Writing a think piece/book review essay

1)      Read the book (s) and other pertinent sources.

2)      Develop a thesis that will weave your essay together.  It should be one clear sentence (or two) that defines the argument given or position taken in the paper.  It should reside in the introductory paragraph of your essay.

3)      The body of your essay should support your thesis.  Every subsequent paragraph in your essay should contain supporting evidence for your thesis.  Building an argument over the course of your paper will provide thematic cohesion. 

4)      Make sure that each paragraph has a topic sentence and several supporting sentences.  A paragraph should have a minimum of four sentences.

5)      Provide transitions between paragraphs to ensure structural cohesion.

6)      Sentences should be grammatically correct and devoid of spelling errors.

7)      The essay should possess a well-balanced use of appropriate sources, i.e., assigned readings and outside sources. 

8)      Providing appropriate citations for all information, ideas, and quoted sources is essential to writing a well-supported essay and to avoiding plagiarism.

9)      Offer a concluding paragraph that restates your thesis and that summarizes the supporting evidence in your essay.

10)  Reread your final draft and make sure that you have accomplished the above.