When I sit down to starting writing my assignment I brainstorm. Usually I just make a list of the ideas that I have that are matching the assignment, research them if necessary, then pick the best one that I can write a lot about and feel strongly about. Once I figure out every point in my paper I figure out how I'm going to order them. I usually start with the body, to the conclusion, and then figure out my introduction paragraph. If I start at the introduction than I sit there for forever trying to figure out what I should say and how I should say it. I always have a hard time with the introduction and conclusion of any paper that I write. For some reason I make them harder than they have to be but if I stay with my method of the body first then the other two last I'm usually good to go and just have to do some minor editing. When I am all finish with the brainstorming and writing portion of the essay I read it out loud to myself first, then to my husband that way I can find different things each time that I need to change so it's better. After this part of the revision is done, if I have the time before the essay is due I'll e-mail it to one of my friends and she'll help me with the grammar and spelling aspect if I need it. I think it's always important to revise, either its me reading it out loud to myself, my husband, or sending it to a friend for help. I'm not a professional writer at all and extra input is always nice!!
I love having someone else read my paper because what makes since to me doesn't always make since to others. When I write my paper I want it to say something specific and when I read it I know what it's supposed to say. So when I have someone else read it I just give it to them and see what they think that it's about without saying anything at all. If it doesn't make since to them then I go back and make it make since. I always try to edit it to what others say it might or might not need. Now if I don't agree with what they have to say then I will leave it the way that is because sometimes me as the writer I need to make sure that it's MY voice that the reader is hearing and not someone elses'.
I love to write even if it isn't always something that I want to write about. I try to make it my voice that's being heard even when I have a lot of peoples help on the paper that way the reader knows that it's me and no one else that they are hearing from. I love it when people read my papers and like them, it makes me feel like the process that I do and the steps that I take are making a huge difference in my writing and helping me to become even better at it.
I also struggle with the introduction and/or thesis statement and the conclusion as well. I also usually write those after I've written the paper. I just think if you're going to write a sentence or paragraph describing the paper, it's kind of hard to do that when it's not even written yet. I think this helps a lot!
ReplyDeleteHi! I too struggle with my introduction in my papers. Your method of writing the body is a good idea. I tend to sit there and just look at the computer until something comes to mind. (Yes, I waste a good amount of time staring at the blank computer screen...) I am going to try your idea with the next paper I write. Thanks for the idea!
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ReplyDeleteI also have problems beginning and ending my papers. I always sit there and think and it takes me a long time to even put something that somewhat fits my paper. I like how you brainstorm your thoughts out and make an outline. I think that I should start doing that because I just jump right in and therefore, I have awful papers. I have found that if I do write out my paper and then type it up it does make more sense and I get a better grade on it. You have many good ideas throughout this whole post.
This comment is from Nathan K. He was having trouble posting today, so I'm putting it up for him:
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a good idea to have someone else read your work to give another perspective. I have found that my biggest and sometimes most obvious mistakes can only be noticed by someone else. Often when you read your own paper, you only read what you meant, not what you wrote. Yet another reason why reading it aloud is much better than silently. Thank you for the great tips and ideas that I am sure to implement in my revisions!
I really liked how you explained your writing process. It allowed me to visualize how someone else writes their papers, and take some aspects from it that might help me with writing my own papers. I too have alot of trouble with my introductions. Most of the time I end up rewriting them mulitple times before I am satisied with what it says. I have never tried to write the body first, but now that I know of that process, I may try it and see if it helps. As far as the revision process, I think you have it down. Reading out loud helps me to find errors a lot easier than reading it in my head. Also something that you might try that I really like doing is to read it out loud, correct what needs to be, and then leave the paper for two or three days. Then I come back to it and will do that until the due date. That way I know that I go through everything, and have a perfectly polished paper when I turn it in.
ReplyDeleteI usually have a hard time with the introduction as well. As I talked about in my blog post, I find it easier to just not worry too much about it at first and just write what ever comes to my mind. Afterwards, I go back later to make the introduction more solid. Reading your papers out loud to yourself and to your husband is great! I read my papers out loud too when I'm revising and I always catch things to change that will make the paper flow more smoothly that I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. I like that you have whoever is reading your paper try to figure out what your point is without you explaining it to them verbally. That seems like a great way to make sure your paper is giving off the message you intend.
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