Essay Steps
Home
Up
Rising Reading
Essay Guide
Essay Glossary
Essay Steps
Reading Strategies


You are writing an essay to respond to Washington Irving's "The Devil and Tom Walker," and this page is meant to guide you through the process.

 

The essay question:

What makes Tom Walker a likely candidate for the Devil to recruit for his work?

or, stated another way,

How is Tom Walker a person marked by sin?

"I don't know how to start!"

Steps in the writing process:

Step 1: Brainstorm

Decide on the three character traits (or life situations) that make Tom a likely candidate.

Step 2: Gather data

Jot down (or note on your double entry journals) which details from the story you will use to support each of the three claims you're making about Tom

Step 3: Write

Begin by writing a supporting paragraph - just start writing it!

After completing your supporting paragraphs, return to the introduction and give it a try.

Step 4: Revise

Reexamine your paper and see if you accomplished every element of the essay to its intended effect. Run through the essay glossary like it's a checklist and see that you've attempted it all.