Understand the question	
What’s your essay question?	Task words
How will you approach the question?	
Subject-specific words
What will you write about?	

In your own words
What do you think the question is asking you to do?	

What do you already know about the topic?	
Background information

Source:	

What do you think about the topic?
Use your own opinion to help develop an argument for your essay.	

Keywords
What are some keywords you could use in your research?

Use categories like:
•    people
•    places
•    events.				

© State Library of Victoria 2008	http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ergo