Difference between revisions of "Organizing and Writing the First Draft"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
=Organizing and Writing the First Draft= | =Organizing and Writing the First Draft= | ||
| − | == | + | ==Writer’s Block== |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Sometimes the most interesting part of developing a paper is the research leading up to it. Yet despite a mind full of ideas and a well developed outline, the hardest part of writing the first draft is actually starting it. This condition, which all writers fall victim to, is known as writer’s block. | |
| − | + | Most writers develop strategies to overcome writer’s block; the following process for writing a first draft includes many such strategies. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ==Prerequisites== | |
| − | == | + | ===Outline and Purpose=== |
| − | + | In order to write the first draft of your paper it first requires an outline and a purpose; the quality of these two will determine the quality of your first draft. Your knowledge of your topic (likely sourced from research) will determine how quickly the first draft will be written; the more you know, the faster you will write. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | And of course, all of this ultimately determines the quality of your final draft. | |
| − | |||
| − | === | + | ==Preparing to Write== |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ===Prepare your Materials=== | |
| − | + | Gather all the materials you will need before you begin writing. This includes: pens, pencils, paper, text books, notes, disks, and other documents. If you require certain online material, pre-load them on your screen or print out hard copies. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Preparing your materials ensures that you won’t have to get up in the middle of writing to fetch something. In other words, don’t give yourself an excuse to be interrupted. | |
| − | === | + | |
| − | + | ===Prepare Yourself=== | |
| + | |||
| + | Being hungry, thirsty or having to use the washroom can be distracting too. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===Prepare your Environment=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Find a place to write where you are away from disruptions. If you’re at the office, find a quiet space away from noise and interruptions. If you’re at home, find a quiet room and close the door. If you need noise to think, then keep the TV on. Furthermore, establish a best time of day to work. Discover which environment works best for you and exploit it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It’s important to keep your mind functioning at its best in order to keep your thoughts flowing. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==As you are Writing== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Stick to your Outline=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The quality of your outline determines the quality of your first draft. Stick to the outline you’ve developed and avoid going against its organization. Start by writing a couple of sentences for each topic and header in your outline. Like magic, your paper will take shape by itself. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===Write Only the Body=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leave your introduction, conclusion, and summaries for the very end. Write only the body of your document keeping your paper’s purpose (or thesis) in mind. Again, the quality of your purpose determines the quality of your paper’s body. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===Write as Quickly as Possible=== | ||
| + | Of all the steps in the writing process, writing the first draft should take the least amount of time. The idea behind the first draft is to transform a mind full of ideas into words. Stay focussed and keep those creative juices flowing. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===Do not stop to Edit=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Keep in mind that a first draft is just that -- a first draft. Don’t try to make your first draft your final draft. | ||
| + | |||
| + | By stopping to edit as you are writing a first draft your mind has shifted gears from being the creator to being the critic; this only slows down your writing flow. Editing has its own place in the writing process, and there will always be plenty of it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==When you are done Writing== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Write the Introduction and Conclusion=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Your introduction should state the purpose (or thesis) of your paper without directly referencing points made in the body. The introduction should instead arouse the reader’s interest and spark curiosity regarding the purpose of your paper and how you intend to pursue it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Your conclusion should again state the purpose (or thesis) of your paper, only this time you should reference key points made in the body. The conclusion should give readers closure, remind them why they read your paper, and inform them what they have gained (learned) from it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Writing your introduction and conclusion one-after-another with an established body present makes writing them easier and ensures their effectiveness. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===Take a Break=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | After completing the first draft, your exhausted mind needs a break. At this point it is in your best interest to step away from your paper and do something else. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Furthermore, never expect a final draft immediately after a first draft. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to step away from the first draft for at least one-night’s-sleep. (Consider the expression, “let me sleep on it.”) Clearing your mind of what was just written will make the later editing and revising processes easier and much more effective. | ||
Revision as of 15:27, 9 April 2008
Contents
Organizing and Writing the First Draft
Writer’s Block
Sometimes the most interesting part of developing a paper is the research leading up to it. Yet despite a mind full of ideas and a well developed outline, the hardest part of writing the first draft is actually starting it. This condition, which all writers fall victim to, is known as writer’s block.
Most writers develop strategies to overcome writer’s block; the following process for writing a first draft includes many such strategies.
Prerequisites
Outline and Purpose
In order to write the first draft of your paper it first requires an outline and a purpose; the quality of these two will determine the quality of your first draft. Your knowledge of your topic (likely sourced from research) will determine how quickly the first draft will be written; the more you know, the faster you will write.
And of course, all of this ultimately determines the quality of your final draft.
Preparing to Write
Prepare your Materials
Gather all the materials you will need before you begin writing. This includes: pens, pencils, paper, text books, notes, disks, and other documents. If you require certain online material, pre-load them on your screen or print out hard copies.
Preparing your materials ensures that you won’t have to get up in the middle of writing to fetch something. In other words, don’t give yourself an excuse to be interrupted.
Prepare Yourself
Being hungry, thirsty or having to use the washroom can be distracting too.
Prepare your Environment
Find a place to write where you are away from disruptions. If you’re at the office, find a quiet space away from noise and interruptions. If you’re at home, find a quiet room and close the door. If you need noise to think, then keep the TV on. Furthermore, establish a best time of day to work. Discover which environment works best for you and exploit it.
It’s important to keep your mind functioning at its best in order to keep your thoughts flowing.
As you are Writing
Stick to your Outline
The quality of your outline determines the quality of your first draft. Stick to the outline you’ve developed and avoid going against its organization. Start by writing a couple of sentences for each topic and header in your outline. Like magic, your paper will take shape by itself.
Write Only the Body
Leave your introduction, conclusion, and summaries for the very end. Write only the body of your document keeping your paper’s purpose (or thesis) in mind. Again, the quality of your purpose determines the quality of your paper’s body.
Write as Quickly as Possible
Of all the steps in the writing process, writing the first draft should take the least amount of time. The idea behind the first draft is to transform a mind full of ideas into words. Stay focussed and keep those creative juices flowing.
Do not stop to Edit
Keep in mind that a first draft is just that -- a first draft. Don’t try to make your first draft your final draft.
By stopping to edit as you are writing a first draft your mind has shifted gears from being the creator to being the critic; this only slows down your writing flow. Editing has its own place in the writing process, and there will always be plenty of it.
When you are done Writing
Write the Introduction and Conclusion
Your introduction should state the purpose (or thesis) of your paper without directly referencing points made in the body. The introduction should instead arouse the reader’s interest and spark curiosity regarding the purpose of your paper and how you intend to pursue it.
Your conclusion should again state the purpose (or thesis) of your paper, only this time you should reference key points made in the body. The conclusion should give readers closure, remind them why they read your paper, and inform them what they have gained (learned) from it.
Writing your introduction and conclusion one-after-another with an established body present makes writing them easier and ensures their effectiveness.
Take a Break
After completing the first draft, your exhausted mind needs a break. At this point it is in your best interest to step away from your paper and do something else.
Furthermore, never expect a final draft immediately after a first draft. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to step away from the first draft for at least one-night’s-sleep. (Consider the expression, “let me sleep on it.”) Clearing your mind of what was just written will make the later editing and revising processes easier and much more effective.
