Is the question open-ended or closed? If it is open-ended,you will need to narrow it down. Explain how and why you have decided to limit it in the introduction to your essay, so the reader knows you appreciate the wider issues, but that you can also be selective. If it is a closed question, your answer must refer to and stay within the limits of the question (i.e. specific dates, texts, or countries).
Underlining key words – This is a good start point for making sure you understand all the terms (some might need defining); identifying the crucial information in the question; and clarifying what the question is asking you to do (compare & contrast, analyse, discuss). But make sure you then consider the question as a whole again, not just as a series of unconnected words.
Re-read the question – Read the question through a few times. Explain it to yourself, so you are sure you know what it is asking you to do.
Try breaking the question down into sub-questions
What is the question asking? Why is this important? How am I going to answer it? What do I need to find out first, second, third in order to answer the question? This is a good way of working out what important points or issues make up the overall question.
Generating Ideas
Your plan should state how you're going to prove your argument, including the evidence you're going to use. Structure your plan around the different parts of an essay. To do this:
- Write your argument in one sentence at the top of the page – you'll flesh this out into your introduction.
- Write three or four key points that you think will support your
argument. Try to write each point in one sentence. These will become
your topic sentences. - Under each point, write down one or two examples from your research
that support your point. These can be quotes, paraphrased text from
reliable authors, etc. Remember to reference your examples when you
write up your essay. - Finally, write the main point you want to leave in your reader's mind – that's your conclusion.
Which planning method suits you?
Spider diagrams / visual plans -
These are sometimes known as mind maps. This kind of plan gets all the main ideas down on a page with key words and phrases round the central question. You can
then order your ideas by numbering the arms of the spider diagram. This method is flexible and creative, so is good to use first even if you like to order your points in linear form afterwards.
Bullet points / linear plans -
This type of plan lists the main points using bullet points or numbers. It can be a brief
outline of the main point per paragraph, or a more detailed plan with sub-points and a note of the evidence to support each point (e.g. source and page no.).
------------------------------------------------
http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/studyresources/essays/sta-planningessay.aspx
http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/learn-skills/essay-writing-skills/plan-your-essay/write-essay-plan