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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by rainbowbrite on October 22, 2005, at 7:58:31
A writing assignment succeeds
by addressing a defined audience
with content organized into
an effective and/or convincing presentation
Writing assignments can be divided into four stages:Preparation: define the topic, prepare how to address your audience, and gather research
Drafting/writing: develop content, message and style
Revising: review for message
Proofreading: focus on writing mechanics (spelling, grammar, format, etc.)
Preparation (1):
All types of writing (essays and essay tests, term papers, lab reports, white papers, etc.) should follow a process:Introduction
Set your topic
State your thesis, theme, or objective in a sentence or two at most
Define your audience, and how you will address them
Is it your instructor who grades you or a teaching assistant? fellow students? Professionals?
Establish the type of writing that will be most effective in communicating
Consider the most effective tone to take considering your purpose
c.f. Capital Community College: Tone: A Matter of Attitude
Develop research strategies and a list of resources
Develop a list of key words--50 or so--that form the foundation of both your research and writing.
Build the list from general sources and overviews
Develop your time line
Allow for editing, revision and unexpected developmentsInspiration phase:
This is continuous to prevent losing ideas and inspirations
Keep a convenient place to preserve phrases, vocabulary, events, etc. for later use
Research phase; information gathering and recording:
Document interviews, readings, experiments, data, websites, reports, etc.
People: instructor, teaching assistant, research librarian, tutor, subject matter experts, professionals
References: text book, reference works, web sites, journals, diaries, professional reports
Organizing phase
with concept mapping, outlining, even brainstorming
Determine how you will build the scenes of your argument, narrative, story, etc.
See our definitions of writing terms in our Guides.
Writing your draft (2):Your first paragraph
Introduce the topic; entice the reader (remember: audience)
Establish perspective and/or point of view!
Focus on three main points to develop
Establish flow from paragraph to paragraphTopic sentences of each paragraph
define their place in the overall scheme
Transition sentences, clauses, or words at the beginning of paragraph connect one idea to the next
(See the page on transitional words and phrases)
Avoid one and two sentence paragraphs
which may reflect lack of development of your point
Continually prove your point of view throughout the essay
Don't drift or leave the focus of the essay
Don't lapse into summary in developing paragraphs--wait until its time, at the conclusion
Keep your voice active
"The Academic Committee decided..." not "It was decided by..."
Avoid the verb "to be" for clear, dynamic, and effective presentation
(Avoid the verb "to be" and your presentation will be effective, clear, and dynamic)
Avoiding "to be" will also avoid the passive voice
Support interpretations with quotes, data, etc.
Properly introduce, explain, and cite each quote
Block (indented) quotes should be used sparingly;
they can break up the flow of your argument
ConclusionRead your first paragraph, the development, and set it aside
Summarize, then conclude, your argument
Refer back (once again) to the first paragraph(s) as well as the development
do the last paragraphs briefly restate the main ideas?
reflect the succession and importance of the arguments
logically conclude their development?
Edit/rewrite the first paragraph
to better set your development and conclusion
Take a day or two off!Revision (3)
Save a second version and edit with a fresh mind and a "sharp pencil"Read aloud to yourself,
as if you want to communicate with your audience.
You will be surprised what you find to change!
Having someone else read your paper
ideally someone who matches your intended audience
to test if you have accomplished your purpose for your intended audience or for errors that you missed
Edit, correct, and re-write as necessary
Refer to the original version to test your edits
Turn in the paper
Proofread (4)
for grammatical and spelling errorsCelebrate a job well done, with the confidence that you have done your best.
This last is very important.
Posted by gardenergirl on October 23, 2005, at 0:48:53
In reply to Writing Basics, posted by rainbowbrite on October 22, 2005, at 7:58:31
Great tips. I'll have to try that topic sentence thing. I usually add them after, which means I write more willy-nilly, and then have to organize the paragraphs.
But if I add topic sentences to my outline, I'll be even more organized.
cool.
gg
Posted by rainbowbrite on October 23, 2005, at 7:13:17
In reply to Re: Writing Basics » rainbowbrite, posted by gardenergirl on October 23, 2005, at 0:48:53
I do that too!! I thoughtI was the only one, some people think its unheard of how I do that.
But Im going to try to change my style for these essays
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