Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship between people.
Strategies for Essay Writing
1. In order to obtain the highest possible score on your essay, begin with organization and unity (Level 5 for each). We can do this by dividing the topic sentence into questions that test or challenge assumptions. In the case above, I underlined certain relationships that were important as follows:
Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship between people.
Why always? Why most? Why not one of several? Why any? Are there degrees of truth? Are there degrees of relationships?
Total time allotted: 2 minutes.
2. On a blank page or on the computer, write down your three main points leaving adequate space between them. Write only your supporting ideas, not the examples yet. When you have stated them well, write your conclusion.
Remember that these points support the statement of whether you agree or disagree with the statement (something we also call a “position.” In debate competitions there are negative and affirmative sides to a statement: “Stated that always telling the truth… I represent the negative position”
Total time allotted: 4 minutes.
3. Fill in your paragraphs with examples. Make sure the examples actually support your argument for or against the position. There should be 2 examples per point made. Those examples could be personal experience, a quote from a favorite scholar or a current event article you have read.
Total time allotted: 2 minutes per example, total 12 minutes.
4. Add a 6-8 word paragraph closer that restates the point and points to the next main topic.
Total time allotted: 2 minutes
5. Getting a high score on language usage is more possible if your verb tenses are correct, singular/plural nouns are clear and there is subject-verb agreement. Leave time at the end simply to check these items.
Total...