Once you've formulated a workable plan (with some sort of outline), it's generally just a matter of fleshing out that outline to produce your draft. Let's say, for example, that your were writing an essay exploring the relationship between the way women are portrayed in advertising and eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa and bulemia). A portion of your outline might look something like this:

Typically, this could be developed into two or more paragraphs which could be set up in the following pattern:

The phrases need to be expanded into complete sentences, and the research evidence needs inclusion. As with all essays, clear topic sentences and transition statements smooth out the paragraphs. Here is a sample:

The next paragraph would then be developed with examples from specific case studies where women pointed to specific ads and commercials they presented these images which affected them so strongly. Do this for your entire outline, and a solid draft will emerge.

A special paragraph you will want to develop at this point is your dramatic opening. Although there is no set rule about where your thesis statement should be placed, most writers find that placing an attention-getting introduction before the thesis statement is usually an effective way to open an essay. The introduction should offer the reader some drama, action, tension, fun--whatever is both appropriate to the subject and to the reader's need to be dazzled (most readers must be "hooked" this way, or they will not bother to continue reading). A dramatic opening for a paper on popular misconceptions about child abuse might be

Whenever possible be specific and concrete in your opening; set a mood, present a dramatic situation. The opening must, of course, relate to your topic, but there is plenty of room for creativity within this framework.

NOTE (point of disagreement): some instructors still feel that a dramatic opening is inappropriate for a research paper; they may prefer instead a more formal (dull) opening. It's important that you are aware of what a specific instructor is looking for. I generally take my cue from research projects with wider appeal (60 Minutes, Time Magazine, award-winning works of non-fiction such as Cosmos, Soul of a New Machine, Mr. Wilson's Cabinet of Wonder, etc.). I want your essays to begin with dramatic openings!

Finally, of course, after you complete your draft, there is the process of editing, formatting, and proofreading which you need to do before turning your essay in.