All writers go through a series of creative steps in developing
and preparing written work. Often the process starts with a general idea,
and as you go through the steps, a more focused topic is developed. Try
the following process and your assignment may be easier and more successful.
But remember, every writer is different, so adapt these steps to your style.
Prewriting
The most creative part of writing happens before
you write. If you need to choose or narrow a topic, make a list of interesting
ideas that relate to the assignment.
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Don 't censor yourself;
let your brain have fun. |
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Once you select a general topic, whether it
is one you choose or one you have been assigned, try looking at an encyclopedia
article about it. This will give you a quick background and mention major
ideas and facts that can help in developing a specific topic and in doing
research. Keep adding to your list of ideas. You will find it's easier
to have too much to choose from than too little. Those who don't prewrite
often have trouble starting to write. |
Planning
Keep your topic manageable. Realistically consider the requirements of
your assignments and how much time you have to do it. Ask yourself questions
like:
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Should the paper emphasize my opinion or summarize others' research (and
thus require time in the library)?
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How much do I already know about the topic?
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When is the assignment due?
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How long is the paper supposed to be?
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Does it have special requirements, like illustrations?
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What should the final paper look like?
 Now set up a realistic
timetable for the next four steps
-- Research, Organizing, Rough Draft, and the
Final Checklist.
I. Research
| Every paper, even one based on first-hand experience, benefits
from research. In the ACC libraries, you'll find other study
guides on using library resources. Use these to learn research skills
and save time and headaches. |
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Take legible, accurate, complete notes, using whatever
system you find useful. Include where you found each piece of information,
because many papers require "documentation"
that lists where facts and quotes come from. |
II. Organizing
Now you must organize your research and ideas to fit your project.
Some writers use outlines;
others arrange their note cards.
As you organize, decide what your paper will actually cover and the order
in which the information will be presented.
III. Rough Draft
The rough draft has one purpose: to get your ideas down on paper in an
orderly way. Here are some guidelines:
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Write fast.
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Follow your organizational plan.
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Don't stop for corrections.
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Avoid inserting a lot of last-minute ideas
(but do add good ones to your idea list, in case you need them later).
When finished, set your paper aside for a while --at least overnight. This
will give you a little critical distance from your rough draft.
IV. Final Version Checklist
Completing the finished version is the longest and most important step.
Read your rough draft and review it for completeness, order, and
correctness.
Completeness:
 Fulfills the assignment.
Develops a central idea.
Uses examples that back up
the central idea.
Order:
Shows all steps in your reasoning
as you prove a point.
Uses clear thinking and writing
that others can follow. (You might ask a friend or writing lab tutor to
read it.)
Explains topic at beginning
and sums up at end.
Correctness:
Documents quotations and
borrowed ideas correctly.
Avoids mistakes in grammar,
spelling, and punctuation.
Is written or typed neatly.
When you have completed revising the rough draft so it meets the above
characteristics, write the final version. If you follow the above process,
your paper should make sense, read well, and look neat. When it does, you're
ready to turn it in. |
