Young Writers Society

Do an essay by reverse outlining if you are stuck.
Write your outline and then fill in the spots as you feel inspired / gather information to support your argument.
Typically an essay's format will be:
Introduction Paragraph
- Introduces Material / Subject of Essay
- Makes the Main Argument of the Essay in a CLEAR Sentence
- Explains where the essay is going
Body Paragraphs
- These support the Main Argument in an order that "makes sense" (that might mean they're introduced chronologically or by theme)
- These typically include support from the subject you are investigating -> ie. if it's a book, they will include quotes, if it is an argumentative essay it will include evidence from research articles, or may include anecdotal evidence.
Conclusion
- You give a summary of how your body paragraphs prove the Main Argument. You give sum up where the essay has been.

Further Tips
> In my college experience usually citations of evidence / quotes were a big grading point -> use whatever citation method your teacher has told you to use (ie. APA? Chicago?) and be careful you follow that method exactly -> if you feel unfamiliar, chances are your school's library has a resource person who is willing to look over citations. This can be a great resource, and chances are this little detail is counting towards your grade.

> If you get a terrible grade on a paper do talk to the teacher - teacher's like to see effort! (My sister teaches a composition course at the college level, so I know this) Go in not with the mind to argue your grade - but with the purpose of trying to figure out what you need to do to improve. You can even say, "Hey this course, and my learning is really important to me, would you be willing to let me re-write paper A for a chance to improve my grade" <- they may work with you! Teachers want to see you pass & improve and you'll know what you can do better next time.

> Done is better than Good - in college initially my main problem was perfectionism - I'd procrastinate because I'd be overwhelmed with writing the perfect paper and then have a late paper, and get points off for lateness when if I'd turned in a ~non-perfect~ paper on time, probably would have gotten an A. Turn your work on in time, and don't set out to write perfection, just try to complete the assignment and then if you have time you can work on polishing and improvement. Done is better than Good.

take notes, focus a lot on grades and extra curricular, it's your last year before you start applying to uni if you decide you want to, so make sure it's good and you enjoy your last free(ish) moments. i'd also say make a list of things you want to do while you still can