1. Read the question! (You all know it already, but make sure that you really understand it; if you do not, or if it is ambiguous, ask.)
2. Outline: sketch the points you are going to make, evidence that you will use, thesis statement.
3. Organize the points; lead with your second, and save the best for last.
4. Think of what you are going to argue; it should be clear.
5. Think of an introduction, brief, but leading to your thesis.
6. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence.
7. Be as precise as possible: dates, names, etc. mark a better essay.
8. Conclude with showing you have proven your case; it should not take much more than a sentence or two.
9. Check your essay for spelling errors, punctuation errors, missing words, etc. (Yes, I know it is sometimes tough when you are desperately trying to finish, but the better essays are usually proof-read.)
10. Short IDs are just a short version of the above, though generally you should try to schedule your time effectively and there are advantages to leaving the short IDs to the second half of the exam.
11. Do not cheat.