The Writing Process
All good writing should follow a process. In order to create an interesting, functional piece, careful planning needs to take place. I am finally learning to keep my papers organized and free-flowing. It takes practice and determination, but it is falling into place.
I believe the thesis is the most important part of an essay. The thesis should tell the audience what the topic is and my point of view on it. It should be limited and focused on a main concept or idea. From the thesis statement, the reader can figure out if it is worth their time to continue reading.
Brainstorming should be the basis and beginning for any writing assignment. As soon as the paper is assigned, I start to come up with ideas on a topic. I think it is easier when I pick a topic I know a little bit about or have a strong opinion on. After I have a general idea I can do preliminary research and combine that with what I already know to come up with a general topic. The information gathered should be able to help limit the topic and develop a thesis statement. The thesis statement should be focused and to the point. It should state the subject and the point of view I have taken on the subject.It needs to answer a question. This is where the reader will get my main idea and opinion on the topic.
When researching, I make sure to gather accurate information in order to give my statements credibility. As the author, I need to make sure there is enough information available to support the topic I have chosen. Only information from reliable sources should be used. It is also the job of the author to weed through the information and draw out what is pertinent to the limited topic that was chosen. Care must be taken to choose appropriate sources for the type of research. Most information for academic research should be retrieved from scholarly journals, periodicals, and experts in the field. I am very careful to accurately document where the information came from. It is imperative to accurately cite my sources of information. The majority of the information in an essay should be the original work of the author, but anything that is not, should be cited properly.
Creating an outline significantly helps me to organize my thoughts and ideas. The outline is the skeletal system for the paper. All of the ideas should build on a solid structure. I start with the introduction and thesis statement followed by the main ideas broken up into sub categories. Every main idea should have statements with supporting information under it. The outline should naturally follow a logical and organized pattern. Every topic sentence should link back to the thesis statement to create a unified paper.
When drafting the first edition of the paper it should follow the outline.I start with an introductory statement that will draw in the reader and lead them to continue reading. The introduction should lead into the thesis statement. Each paragraph under that should start with a main idea and have all supporting information and elaboration of ideas under the appropriate heading. This will keep my paper organized and unified. The conclusion should sum up the main ideas and link back to the thesis statement. It should leave my reader wanting more information but not introduce any new ideas or concepts.
In the revision phase of the writing, I read and re-read, and then do it all again. It is very important for me to step away and come back to it at a later time in order to see it with fresh eyes. I need to make sure the paper makes sense.
Where all the ideas clearly conveyed and are they presented in a logical order?
Does the information flow smoothly from one idea to the next?
How is the grammar and punctuation?
These are questions I have to ask myself when reviewing my papers. If the ideas are presented logically, it is easier for the reader to follow and understand my point. Using smooth transitions between ideas will give the paper a stronger structure. One method I use is to try using a sentence that links back to the previous paragraph. I also make sure all ideas are adequately covered.
Spelling and grammar check should be run also. Keep in mind that this is no substitute for good old fashioned proof reading. The spell check on the computer can pick up spelling errors, but not misuse of words. If I inadvertently use “then” when I needed “than” the checker will not highlight that for correction. Or, if I meant to put in “and” but it ended up “an”, the word is spelled correctly so spell check will not pick that up either. The correction tools will not help convey ideas in proper sentences either. I read each sentence and ensure that it makes sense. I then check for run-on sentences and correct punctuation. I make sure I vary the structure of the sentences to keep the writing from being monotonous. Difference in sentence structure will help to keep the piece structurally appealing.
Good writing is challenging for a lot of people. Practice makes perfect though and careful planning can make the process flow a lot smoother. I find that by choosing an interesting topic, coming up with a great thesis statement, using credible sources for information, organizing the writing logically, and remembering to proofread thoroughly, I can write higher quality papers.