Do you usually write a page of your paper and then get writer's block? Do you have a difficult time generating material to "finish" writing the essay? If these problems sound familiar, chances are, your problem isn't only development, but organization. Clear organization occurs not at the drafting stage, but during the prewriting and outlining stage.

Hint #1: To better understand how to organize, you first need to think about your main idea, or your thesis statement. Ask yourself two questions:
What is my main idea?
Do I have clear points about this topic to discuss?

Compare your main idea to this thesis:
Romeo and Juliet's budding romance ends prematurely because of hatred, misunderstanding, and missed opportunities.

In order to compare your thesis to this one, you need to see how this one is constructed. How many points are going to be discussed about the main idea: What are the topics to be discussed about Romeo and Juliet? Hint: The first answer is three. Can you find the three points that will be discussed about Romeo and Juliet?
Answer: hatred, misunderstanding, and missed opportunities.

Now compare this model to yours. Do you have clear points about your topic?

Hint #2: Since organization is crucial to clear and well-developed papers, you now have a head start. Using your new thesis, try this box exercise for help with clear and focused paragraphing:

You can be creative here (who says writing is only about paper and pens?), so think about different ways you can create and label your paragraph "boxes." You can make your own actual boxes or even use different colored pieces of paper.

1. Label each box for each paragraph in your paper. (Refer to thesis for hints.) 2. Brainstorm on ideas to include in your paper. 3. Place each idea in the corresponding box.

That's it!

Let's try one together using our sample thesis! Pretend each of these is a box:

Introduction Box
Hatred Box
Misunderstanding Box
Missed Opportunity Box
Conclusion Box

What box would this idea go in?
When Juliet believes Romeo is dead, she stabs herself; only moments earlier, Romeo had the same thoughts. Answer: Box 3

What about this sentence?
Juliet's relationship with her mother is a very close one. Answer:_____

(Hint: If you have your boxes clearly labeled, you have an easier time keeping your thoughts focused. This sentence, therefore, would not be a part of your paper.)

Try these two tips out yourself! You will be surprised how much clearer and more focused your ideas will be. You will also have an easier time generating ideas to support your thesis if you know what you are trying to say.

Happy Writing!