STUDENTS PLEASE SEE THIS: Writing Basics (SEPT. 22, 2004)

Students:
This is a basic introduction to writing. Please read this over and we can discuss it next week! (I promise I'll give you a little test!)

Robert
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Writing essays, term papers, lab reports, etc.
no matter the topic, is a process:

Establish, narrow, and define your topic
State your thesis or theme in a sentence or two at most
Define your audience
Is it your instructor who grades you or a teaching assistant?
Your classmates who will critique your work?
A conference of professionals for review?
Keep your audience in mind as you write
Plan ahead
Set a time line and allow for unexpected developments and planned revision

Gather resources
People: instructor, teaching assistant, research librarian, tutor, subject matter experts, professionals
References: text book, reference works, web sites, journals, diaries, professional reports
Research:
read, interview, experiment, gather data, etc. and take notes completely as possible and document sources. Either use index cards or a system in word processing...
Organize your notes with a prewriting exercise:
focused freewriting, brainstorming, mapping, and/or outlining

Write your first (rough) draft
Determine how you will develop your argument: Use good logic in a reasoned argument to develop the theme and/or support the thesis. Will you compare or define? Will you criticize or describe? See the definitions of writing terms in our Guides.
Your first paragraph

Introduce the topic!
Inform the reader of your point of view!
Entice the reader to continue with the rest of the paper!
Focus on three main points to develop
The first paragraph is often the most difficult to write. If you have trouble, just get it down with the intention of re-writing it later, even after you have finished with the rest. But remember this first entry draws your audience into your topic, your perspective, and its importance to continue with the rest. So:

Development

Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph
transition sentences, clauses, or words at the beginning of paragraph connect one idea to the next
(See the page on transitional words and phrases)
topic sentences in each paragraph, also near the beginning,
define their place in the overall scheme
avoid one and two sentence paragraphs
which may reflect lack of development of your point
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
Use quotations to support your interpretations
Properly introduce, explain, and cite each quote
Block (indented) quotes should be used sparingly;
they can break up the flow of your argument
Continually prove your point of view throughout the essay
Don't drift or leave its primary focus of the essay
Don't lapse into summary in the development--wait until its time, at the conclusion
Conclusion

Read your first paragraph and the development
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!

Re-read your paper
with a fresh mind and a sharp pencil.
Re-read aloud,
as if you want to communicate with a trusted friend or family member. The person/people can be real or imaginary. You will be surprised what you find to change!

Having someone else read your paper
For proofing editing errors that you missed
For the big question: did you accomplish your purpose for your intended audience?
Edit, correct, and re-write as necessary
Turn in the paper
Celebrate a job well done, with the confidence that you have done your best.
This last is very important.

Portions adapted with permission from K. Austin Kerr, Some Tips on Writing Papers for History Courses, Ohio State University. Suggestion by Carolla J. Ault, Writing Instructor, The College of Lake County.