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What have I found so far in my research and reading that excites me most? Why?
- How do I envision using that in the essay?
What’s the question I’m posing? What do I expect my answer will look like (i.e., a provisional thesis)?
What’s at stake with my subject—what’s in it for readers?
How am I thinking about my audience, my core readers?
How do I imagine this essay will be shaped?
What will be the 3-4 main sections of this essay?
Introduction:
- What will I use to hook readers in my introduction?
- What context will I provide so that readers can see that my question is part of an ongoing situation/discussion that they most likely recognize?
Will I use “I” in this essay?
- Will it be just an occasional appearance, or will I use personal experience as part of my set-up?
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