Writing guides
Writing guides for high school students
Every assignment has a logic to it. These guides explain what each one is asking, what teachers look for, and how to plan before you write.
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Question 1
What do you notice first in the assignment?
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Each guide explains what the assignment is asking, what strong work needs, and the common mistakes that cost points.
AHow to write an argumentative essayLearn what an argumentative essay is asking, how to build a clear thesis, and how to back it with evidence. BetterPaper helps you plan; you write it.LHow to write a literary analysis essayUnderstand what a literary analysis essay is asking, how to build an interpretive thesis, and how to use quotes as evidence. You write the analysis.PHow to write a personal narrativeUnderstand what a personal narrative is asking, how to focus on one moment, and how to show your experience. BetterPaper helps you plan; you write it.RHow to write a research paperUnderstand what a research paper is asking, how to use sources as evidence, and how to plan a thesis. BetterPaper helps you plan; you write it.EHow to write an expository essayUnderstand what an expository essay is asking, how to organize an explanation, and how to support it with facts. BetterPaper helps you plan; you write it.DHow to write a DBQUnderstand what a DBQ is really asking, how to use the documents as evidence, and how to plan a thesis. You write the essay yourself.LHow to write an LEQ (Long Essay Question)AP History LEQ: build a historical argument using causation, comparison, or continuity and change over time. Covers thesis, contextualization, evidence, and the complexity point.SHow to write a synthesis essayUnderstand what a synthesis essay is asking, how to combine multiple sources, and how to plan your own position. You write the essay yourself.RHow to write a rhetorical analysis essayUnderstand what a rhetorical analysis is actually asking: analyze HOW an author persuades, not whether you agree. Covers thesis, structure, devices, and AP Lang tips.LHow to write a lab reportUnderstand the sections of a lab report, how to present your data, and how to draw a conclusion from results. BetterPaper helps you plan; you write it.CHow to write a CER responseUnderstand the claim, evidence, reasoning structure, how to back a claim with data, and how to explain your thinking. You write the response yourself.BHow to write a book reportUnderstand what a book report is asking, how to summarize without spoiling the point, and how to share your reaction. You write the report yourself.RHow to write a reflective essayUnderstand what a reflective essay is asking, how to move from event to insight, and how to support your thinking. You write the reflection yourself.
When the prompt sounds like two things at once.
Comparison pages help students tell close assignment types apart before they start writing.
vsCompareDBQ vs LEQ: what is the difference?DBQ vs LEQ: a DBQ gives you documents to analyze and source; an LEQ asks you to build the essay from your own historical knowledge.vsCompareArgumentative essay vs synthesis essay: what is the difference?Argumentative vs synthesis: both require a thesis and evidence, but synthesis essays require you to use provided sources together.vsCompareLiterary analysis vs rhetorical analysis: what is the difference?Literary analysis interprets meaning in literature. Rhetorical analysis explains how nonfiction persuades an audience.vsCompareExpository essay vs argumentative essay: what is the difference?Expository essays explain a topic. Argumentative essays defend a debatable claim and address opposing views.vsComparePersonal narrative vs reflective essay: what is the difference?A personal narrative tells a focused story. A reflective essay explains what an experience changed or taught you.
By class
Course pages narrow the guide list to the assignment types that show up in each class.
Quick writing concepts
Short answers for the terms students search mid-assignment: thesis, evidence, analysis, counterargument, and more.
?ConceptWhat is a thesis statement?A thesis statement is a single sentence that states your central argument. Learn what makes a thesis strong, where it goes, and how it differs across essay types.?ConceptHow to use evidence in an essayEvidence is only as strong as the analysis that follows it. Learn the Introduce-Evidence-Analysis pattern for integrating quotes, statistics, and examples effectively.?ConceptWhat does "analyze" mean in an essay prompt?Analyze means break something into its parts and explain how they work — not summarize what happened. Learn the difference and how to do it in English, history, and science.?ConceptWhat is a topic sentence?A topic sentence states the main point of a body paragraph and connects it to your thesis. Learn what makes one strong and how to write them for any essay type.?ConceptWhat is a counterargument?A counterargument is an opposing view that challenges your thesis. Learn why addressing one strengthens your essay and how to concede and refute it effectively.?ConceptHow to write a hook for an essayA hook is the opening sentence that gives readers a reason to keep reading. Learn which hook types work, which to avoid, and how to connect the hook to your argument.