Typically when dealing with papers I like to play out my options. I first realize the topic given and brainstorm to myself what type of paper I want it to be. After figuring out the tone of my paper I plan out the paper paragraph by paragraph. I sit down and draw out my introduction. Making sure that my theme matches my thesis. Then work my way down to the body, making sure all my points are clear and to the point. Once done with my body, I work on my conclusion, which usually takes longest for me. I make sure to recap and end the paper with a distinct and understandable ending. To summarize it all I play out the paper like an advertising bit in my head. I lay out all possible connections with the paper to my reader to try to make the reader content, or in other words sell the reader of my ideas and perspectives on a topic.
A great tip I learned throughout the reading was in the Penguin Handbook in chapter 3, when it talks about taking notes and reading information for the thesis in which you have chosen. In my writing style, I tend to want to put in unwanted information to give the reader too much of a background that isn’t significant to the paper. In the text on taking notes on the topic is helpful to make sure that I, as a writer, don’t stray off the point of interest.
2 comments:
That's awesome that you consider the "tone" and "theme" you want to create, and not just the thesis. That's something that isn't talked about much when we talk about how to plan a paper, but it's really an important part of accomplishing your aims as a writer.
I second Sean's comment about the tone and theme. Additionally, I too struggle with putting too much information in my essays that simply isn't necessary. A lot of people can over do it with elaborate sentences and impressive word choices. I feel it is better to be concise and on point than to waste the reader's time with unwanted and useless information.
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