The summary.
THE COMMONEST SERIOUS FAILING
Not answering the question asked. Keep it visible while writing, and check the finished work against it.
IF YOU CANNOT STATE YOUR ANSWER IN A SENTENCE, YOU ARE NOT READY TO WRITE
Outline first. Restructuring an outline takes minutes; restructuring a draft takes hours.
WRITE THE INTRODUCTION LAST
You then know what you actually argued. And check the conclusion answers the question the introduction posed — they frequently diverge.
EACH PARAGRAPH MAKES ONE POINT, STATED IN ITS FIRST SENTENCE
Reading only the first sentences should produce a coherent case.
EVIDENCE DOES NOT SPEAK FOR ITSELF
Present it, then explain what it shows. That explanation is what demonstrates your thinking.
An example illustrates; it does not prove.
ADDRESS THE OBVIOUS COUNTER-ARGUMENT, FAIRLY
Ignoring it is noticed, and stating it in a weakened form is worse.
EDIT IN THREE PASSES: ARGUMENT, THEN PARAGRAPHS, THEN SENTENCES
Polishing a paragraph you later delete is wasted effort, and almost every draft improves by being shortened.
DIFFICULT PROSE IS NOT RIGOROUS THOUGHT
Read it aloud. Sentences hard to say are hard to read.
