Narrow and explore your topic.
See Chapter 3.

• Make the topic more specific.
• Prewrite to get ideas about the narrowed topic.

Write a topic sentence (paragraph) or thesis statement (essay).
See Chapter 4.

• State what you want your readers to understand about your topic.

Support your point.
See Chapter 5.

• Come up with examples and details to show, explain, or prove your main point to readers.

Write a draft.
See Chapter 6.

• Make a plan that puts examples in a logical order.
• Include a topic sentence (paragraph) or thesis statement (essay) and all the supporting examples and details.

Revise your draft.
See Chapter 7.

• Make sure it has all the Four Basics of Good Illustration.
• Make sure you include transitions to move readers smoothly from one example to the next.

Edit your revised draft.
See Parts 4 through 7.

• Correct errors in grammar, spelling, word use, and punctuation.