Treat it as a "rough" draft or a "zero draft"—the goal is to get ideas on paper, not perfection.

Define your main argument in 1-2 sentences at the top of your document.

Be direct and avoid unnecessary jargon, per the Excelsior OWL guide . 4. Revision & Polish Take a break between drafting and editing.

Integrate quotes or research directly into your paragraphs.

Focus each paragraph on one main idea that supports the thesis, following a logical order.

Ensure it directly answers the prompt or central topic you are analyzing.