Difference between revisions of "Organizing and Writing the First Draft"
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| − | {{ | + | {{3040TopicNoBar|Chapter_TOC=[[The Writing Process]] |
|Introduction= | |Introduction= | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Deep-thought.jpg|thumb|Most writers, at one point or another, suffer from 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. | 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 | + | Most writers develop strategies to overcome writer’s block; the following process for writing a first draft will include many such strategies. }} |
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| − | + | ==Prerequisites== | |
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| − | =Prerequisites= | + | |
===Outline and Purpose=== | ===Outline and Purpose=== | ||
| − | In order to write the first draft of your paper | + | In order to write the first draft of your paper, you will first require 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. | And of course, all of this ultimately determines the quality of your final draft. | ||
| + | <div style="border: 1px dashed #999999; background: #eeeeee; padding: 10px 15px; margin: 20px 15px;">"Measure twice. Cut once." -- Construction workers' saying.<br/><br/>An outline is a tool that helps writers determine whether they have enough raw material (in the form of quotations from scholarly sources and/or data from original research) to construct a particular argument. With experience, many writers learn that using an outline leads to better work, in less time.<ref>Dennis G. Jerz; '''http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/outline.htm'''; ''Outlines: How they can improve your writing''; Seton Hill University (obtained April 10, 2008)</ref></div> | ||
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| − | ===Prepare | + | ==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. | 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. | ||
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| − | ===Prepare | + | ===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. | |
| − | ===Prepare | + | ===Prepare Yourself=== |
| − | + | It is difficult to focus on a task when you are hungry, thirsty or have to use the washroom. Even wearing uncomfortable clothing can cause agitation. | |
| − | + | These ‘bodily’ distractions will affect your concentration so be sure that you prepare ‘’yourself’’ in addition to your materials and environment. | |
| + | <div style="border: 1px dashed #999999; background: #eeeeee; padding: 10px 15px; margin: 20px 15px;">Preparing yourself for writing is similar to preparing yourself for an exam or an interview.<br/><br/>If you are prepared to write, your concentration will last longer and your writing will be better.<ref>Barnard, Colin; COMP 3040 Alumni, Winter 2008</ref></div> | ||
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| + | It’s important to keep your mind functioning at its best in order to keep your thoughts flowing. | ||
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| − | === | + | ==As You Are Writing== |
| + | [[Image:writers-block.jpg|thumb|A solution to writer's block?]] | ||
| + | ===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. | 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 | + | ===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. | 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 | + | ===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. | 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 | + | ===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. | Keep in mind that a first draft is just that -- a first draft. Don’t try to make your first draft your final draft. | ||
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| − | =When | + | ==When You Are Done Writing== |
| − | ===Write | + | ===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 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. | + | 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. | Writing your introduction and conclusion one-after-another with an established body present makes writing them easier and ensures their effectiveness. | ||
| − | ===Take | + | ===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. | 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. | ||
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| − | =References= | + | ==References== |
| + | [[Image:Technical-writing.jpg|thumb|Technical Writing: A Practical Approach, Third Canadian Edition]] | ||
| + | ===Text Books=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Pfeiffer, William Sandford & Jan Boogerd; '''Writing Initial Drafts'''; ''Technical Writing: A Practical Approach, Third Canadian Edition''; Pearson Education Canada Inc., Toronto, Ontario; Published 2004; ISBN 0-13-039907-8 | ||
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| + | ===Quotes=== | ||
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| + | <references/> | ||
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| + | ===External Links=== | ||
| − | *''' | + | * Hamid, Sarah; '''[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/1draft.html The First Draft]'''; ''Writing a Research Paper''; Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University (obtained April 9, 2008) |
| − | + | ||
| + | * Conrey, Sean M.; '''[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/567/01/ Writer's Block/Writer's Anxiety]'''; Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University (obtained April 9, 2008) | ||
| − | *Safford, Dan; ''' | + | * Safford, Dan; '''[http://psassociates.com/articles/writing-proposal-draft.asp Tips for Writing the First Draft]'''; Proposal Writing Today (obtained April 9, 2008) |
| − | + | ||
| + | * Tagg, John; '''[http://daphne.palomar.edu/handbook/firstdraft.htm Writing a First Draft]'''; ''Discovering Ideas Handbook''; Palomar College (obtained April 9, 2008) | ||
| − | * | + | * '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer's_block Writer's block]'''; Wikipedia (obtained April 9, 2008) |
| − | + | ||
Latest revision as of 12:20, 11 April 2008
COMP3040 > The Writing Process
Introduction
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 will include many such strategies.
Prerequisites
Outline and Purpose
In order to write the first draft of your paper, you will first require 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.
An outline is a tool that helps writers determine whether they have enough raw material (in the form of quotations from scholarly sources and/or data from original research) to construct a particular argument. With experience, many writers learn that using an outline leads to better work, in less time.[1]
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 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.
Prepare Yourself
It is difficult to focus on a task when you are hungry, thirsty or have to use the washroom. Even wearing uncomfortable clothing can cause agitation.
These ‘bodily’ distractions will affect your concentration so be sure that you prepare ‘’yourself’’ in addition to your materials and environment.
If you are prepared to write, your concentration will last longer and your writing will be better.[2]
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. (Think of 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.
References
Text Books
- Pfeiffer, William Sandford & Jan Boogerd; Writing Initial Drafts; Technical Writing: A Practical Approach, Third Canadian Edition; Pearson Education Canada Inc., Toronto, Ontario; Published 2004; ISBN 0-13-039907-8
Quotes
- ↑ Dennis G. Jerz; http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/outline.htm; Outlines: How they can improve your writing; Seton Hill University (obtained April 10, 2008)
- ↑ Barnard, Colin; COMP 3040 Alumni, Winter 2008
External Links
- Hamid, Sarah; The First Draft; Writing a Research Paper; Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University (obtained April 9, 2008)
- Conrey, Sean M.; Writer's Block/Writer's Anxiety; Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University (obtained April 9, 2008)
- Safford, Dan; Tips for Writing the First Draft; Proposal Writing Today (obtained April 9, 2008)
- Tagg, John; Writing a First Draft; Discovering Ideas Handbook; Palomar College (obtained April 9, 2008)
- Writer's block; Wikipedia (obtained April 9, 2008)
