Find the atomic number of the element
Determine the total number of electrons
Fill electron shells starting from the first shell
Put up to 2 electrons in the first shell
Put up to 8 electrons in the second shell
Put up to 8 electrons in the third shell for basic electron arrangement
Continue filling higher shells as needed
Write the arrangement using commas or brackets
Example: 2, 8, 1
Check that the total electrons match the atomic number