As you draft the body of your essay, you might naturally ask: What should I say? How will I write an entire essay on my topic? Since the body of your essay develops support for your thesis, you will find the process easier if you have a working thesis to guide the drafting process. As you draft, keep asking questions: What does my thesis promise readers? What is my position on the topic? How will I support my position? Keep anticipating what information your readers will need to be able to understand your ideas. Remember that first drafts aren’t finished drafts. They are just first, a place to begin. Find your momentum and keep writing.
If your thesis suggests a plan (see 1d) or if you have sketched a preliminary outline, try to organize your paragraphs accordingly. Draft the body of your essay by writing at least one paragraph about each supporting point you listed in the planning stage.
If you decide that some support for your thesis could come from one or more visuals, such as a table or infographic, keep in mind that the visual should support your writing, not substitute for it. See the student paper in 51b; the writer uses a graph to help develop her point.
For more detailed help with drafting and developing paragraphs, see section 2.
USING SOURCES RESPONSIBLY: As you draft, keep notes about sources you read and consult. If you quote, paraphrase, or summarize a source, include a citation, even in your draft (see 45 and 48). You will save time and avoid plagiarism if you do so.