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Gina Banks Megan Keaton English 111-09 4 June 2013 Aspects of Effective Writing There are many aspects that go into writing an effective academic paper. This essay highlights a few of the steps that are of most important to me and why these ideas are relevant. Most important is the brainstorming phase, the collection of ideas and how we transfer them from the mind onto paper. Equally significant are the introduction and conclusion. The introduction identifies the topic and provides context as well as giving focus to the paper. The conclusion provides a sense of closure, and in some cases provokes thought beyond the final words of the paper. Finally, drafting- the process of writing the paper and revision-the act of polishing it. Brainstorming is an effective way to inspire ideas and organize the essay. One of the first steps of brainstorming is reflecting on initial ideas. It helps to write down ideas that come to you, no matter how random, misspelled or stylistically awkward. I remember in high school when my teacher taught me about Thematic Webs. Where the main idea is in the middle, and ideas connected to it go in satellite boxes. Build on ideas as you begin to list them. Once the brainstorming is finished there will be many key topics that are of interest. I then ask myself a series of questions to determine which topics I'd enjoy exploring more than others. For example, 'What do I personally know about this topic?' and 'Why does this topic interest me?' Upon selection, start by defining the topic and creating an outline for your work. Look for similar ideas and condense them based on relevance. Carefully look at the topics and solutions you have

Banks 2 listed. Use some of these solutions to make a thesis for the essay. Then you are ready to research the topic. Search for information, quotes, statistics, and facts. There are a number of different sources for information such as the Internet, journal articles or books. Brainstorming is key to identifying your topic and finding key points to highlight. Introductions and conclusions, however small in the grand scheme of your paper, play an essential role in the overall feeling of the body. An introduction provides the reader with context and sets up expectations. Incorporating an introduction will help focus your ideas and keep the body of your paper on topic. However, upon revision and rewriting, the introduction may need to be changed based on the natural progression of ideas. It is important to remain flexible and let the finished product evolve. Not all writers begin writing with their introduction. Many choose to form the opening paragraph based on the ideas conveyed in the body, catering specifically to the main ideas. Either way is acceptable, depending on your creative process. It's important to follow a few specifics. Write a thesis to act as a road map. A good thesis essentially outlines the basic structure of your paper. A thesis can be a main idea statement usually found in the introduction, or conclusion, but it can also be assumed throughout the paper. Get to the point. State your ideas in an organized manner and expound upon them, always mindful of the reader's interest. Hit the high level ideas and leave yourself plenty to talk about in the body. Most importantly, be open to revision. A good paper evolves and changes as you write, and as the primary points become apparent. Contrary to popular belief, a conclusion is not merely a summary of your paper or a restatement of your thesis. Use the conclusion to provide your reader with a sense of closure. Use this opportunity to implement your ideas and present a call to action. Provoke the thought of

Banks 3 your reader beyond the end of your paper. A good conclusion can be achieved in one short paragraph. Now comes the hard work --drafting. You have finished determining all the ideas that you want to include in your paper. Form the ideas into cohesive sentences and write the body paragraphs of your essay, using your outline as a guide. While writing your first draft, dont worry too much about spelling, punctuation, grammar, or sentence structure. Just try to formalize your ideas and prepare for proofreading. Once your first draft is finished, take a break and give yourself some distance. With fresh eyes, youll be better equipped to revise and edit. While editing the first draft, think about ways to communicate your ideas more clearly. Involving peers during this process is often helpful, whether read aloud or individually. This drafting and revision process can be repeated as necessary until you are satisfied with the finished product. Revision is the act of adding important details to your draft that support the point and removing irrelevant content. Revision is often implemented in the last steps of the writing process. To summarize, crafting an essay is different for everyone, but the process is essentially the same. Although I have never had formal training on how to write a proper paper, I believe the fundamentals are the same as long as you follow a few simple steps. Organize your ideas into an outline that a typical reader can digest and understand. Be flexible as you write, as new ideas will present themselves throughout the experience. Thoughtful revision is a wonderful thing. Involve your peers for a fresh set of eyes. Align your introduction and conclusion to convey the key points of your thesis. Just as the essay can evolve, your thesis can as well. Above anything, remain cohesive and maintain the interest of your reader.