I. Introduction: tell Dr. Levens in plain, simple English what you intend to write about. Don’t hem and haw. Don’t beat around the bush.  Dr. Levens’ attention span is low from watching too much ESPN.  If you aren’t clear and (dare I say it?) INTERESTING in the first few lines, the good doctor’s eyelids begin to droop.

        II. The Body: This is the important part.  If, in the introduction,  you tell me you’re about to describe your investigation of the mating habits of the three-toed, Australian wombat, don’t launch into a description of the violent airplane ride down under, how many times you threw up and would have had an awful experience except for the cute boy you met who would have been a keeper except for the truck-sized gap between his front teeth.  Stick to the topic. No. Better, be obsessed with your topic. Fulfill the expectations you raise in part one.  If necessary, use numbers: first I will discuss…second…etc. Numbers impose organization even where there is none.  First, you take out the can opener.  Second, you take out the Alpo.  Third, you place the can opener on top of the can, etc.

        III.The Conclusion and Summary: If you were driving along in the family buggy and decided you wanted to stop to enjoy the fresh air and scenery here in Savannah, would you jump out of the car with the engine still running? Ouch! That’s how the reader feels when you “jump” out of your essay with no conclusion or summary. Tell me what you have done.  Maybe after writing about the three-toed Australian wombat, you find yourself puzzled about the future of wombats as a species. Maybe the males no longer seem interested in the females! Give the reader an opportunity to participate in your befuddlement.  Maybe, you gleaned a different insight because of what you wrote. In any case, don’t jump out of the car until you turn the engine off.