Typically when I am assigned a paper I first brainstorm for a strong idea that I feel capable writing about. I then develop a stong thesis that I can base my paper on and develop my main ideas for the body of my paper from that. I may jot down some more ideas for the body of the paper and then I just get started on my rough draft. After myself and others revise it, I write the final copy. Creating a strong thesis always works well for me and helps me stay on topic rather than start rambling. Just jotting down a few ideas for the body of the paper is less effective and would be more effective if I made an outline too.
While reading the Penguin Handbook, a simple sentence jumped out at me, "One way to get sarted is to make a list of topics you care about." I usually just pick a topic or argument that I think would be relatively easy to write about. This is probably why writing can be so difficult for me. I think it is important to find a topic that I care about and can put emotion into the paper that will help draw the reader in. It makes writing the paper easier and more enjoyable.
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I couldn't agree more with your comment about picking topics that you as the writer are personally interested in. The emotion and desire just simply aren't there if you hate the topic you are writing about. Careful word selections and just overall attention to detail will suffer if the topic you have chosen is bland and boring. Writing isn't always the most enjoyable thing, but if you get to use your imagination and dive into a topic of self-interest, you end up learning a lot more and generally your papers will be of a higher quality.
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