Timed Essay Strategy: Brainstorming & Pacing Under 2026 Spec

Minutes 0:00–1:30 (Reading & Angle Selection): Read the professor's question and both student posts. Decide which classmate's view you will extend or refute. Formulate your single novel argument.
Minutes 1:30–8:00 (Drafting): Draft 100–130 words following the 4-part formula. Keep typing without stopping for minor spelling corrections.
Minutes 8:00–10:00 (Proofreading): Check for subject-verb agreement, plural vs. singular nouns, verb tense consistency, and punctuation errors.

Writing too much: Essays over 180 words often run out of time during proofreading, leaving uncorrected typos.
Ignoring classmates: If your response does not acknowledge the other students on the board, it cannot receive a score above 3.5.