Writing
takes place in stages. No one sits down and writes a perfect paper the
first time. By focusing on one stage at a time, we do a better job
allowing our ideas to flow freely and then presenting them to an audience.
Whereas, if I start to edit for grammar when I'm just getting started, I have a
harder time writing anything.
The
way we think of ideas is not the best way to present ideas to other people, so
it is helpful to have 2 parts to the writing process.
If
you like to write from an outline--keep doing what works for you. However,
if you don't like writing from an outline, you may want to try this method.
I
start with a rough draft. The purpose of a rough draft is to think
on paper, allow ideas to flow and start exploring ideas. For me, when I
start a rough draft, I
have already researched my topic and have a general area of interest (but not
always a thesis). By this point I am combining
disparate ideas and developing a sense of how the positions work out.
As tangents develop, I enjoy exploring those. Make
sure you express your ideas to your satisfaction.
A
good rule of thumb--your rough draft should be as long as your final draft, give
or take 2 pages. If your rough draft is significantly shorter, explore
"why?" Why did the text do that? "Why" did it affect me that
way? Why did this movement or text happen at this time?
Rough
Draft Checklist: My paper is interesting
____I
have clearly thought through the ideas
____I integrate disparate concepts into a cohesive and compelling argument.
____I
interweave examples from the text, and my own perceptions and interests.
____I
quote from relevant sources
____I thoroughly develop my supporting ideas.
