Microsoft Word - essay sample.doc
------- XXXXXXXXXX6 inches from left edge ---------- XXXXXXXXXXTO: (Sr TAC name)
FROM: WOC Jones
515 words
1 Dec 06
The Co
ect Way to Write an Essay
Essays and other written assignments are a tool to help you, the Wa
ant Officer Candidate
(WOC), improve yourself and learn from your experiences and mistakes. Cadre will grade your
essays for format, grammar and content. This sample composition is an example containing
co
ect format, grammar and content for the candidates of the 1st Wa
ant Officer Company.
Use this example as a guide only in preparing essays. Following the assigned document format
is critical to success. Improperly formatted essays often indicate an inability to follow simple
instructions. Failure to follow instructions in a technical manual could result in the
damage/destruction of equipment and/or injury/death to personnel. Failure to follow proper
essay format will result in the essay being returned to you for co
ection and resubmission.
Begin your essay by placing pertinent essay information at the top of the first page. Six inches
from the left side of the paper and centered between the top of the page and essay title, write the
following: The rank and name of the cadre member who assigned the essay; WOC (your name);
total number of words within the essay; and the date. See the top of the page for the co
ect
format.
Place the title of your essay on the first page only. Center the title of the essay on the first
line. Capitalize the first letter of each word in the title. Begin the body of the essay on the
fourth line. Each page must have a one-inch margin on all sides. Hyphenate words as necessary
to ensure that margins appear as even as possible. Indent each paragraph and do not skip lines
etween paragraphs. Center the page number of the second page and any subsequent pages one
inch from the bottom of the page. Flag and staff all ones (1) and slash all zeros (0) for hand
written essays. When a second or subsequent page is needed, begin on the third line from the top
of the page. Ensure that there are at least two complete sentences on the final page. On the fifth
line down from the last line of your essay, place the left edge of your signature block at the
center of the page.
Hand written essays will be on standard issue, ruled notebook paper with a black ink pen.
Print hand written work and ensure that it is neat and legible. If you make a mistake begin again
or be prepared to accept the consequences. Write your essay using proper grammar and
composition. Do not mix writing styles. If you begin in the first Person, do not change to
second or third person within the same essay. Use proper subject/ve
agreement. Speaking
your sentences aloud before writing them will help you to avoid common mistakes. Check for
spelling e
ors and always proofread before submitting essays.
1”
1”
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Line 4
Above all else, proper content is essential in written assignments. A hastily written essay that
has no logical flow or thought process serves little purpose. “Lessons learned” or your thoughts
and beliefs about the subject of your essay are conveyed in the content of the essay. Good essays
include an opening paragraph, body, and a summarizing or closing paragraph. Ensure that your
essays include these elements.
As a Wa
ant Officer, it is imperative to have effective writing skills. During your career as a
Wa
ant Officer, you will often find that writing is essential to accomplishing your missions.
Take the opportunity now to improve your writing skills.
John Q. Jones
JOHN Q. JONES
WOC, USA
Class 05-06
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Line 4
Line 5