draft#2 - writing guide

5 Basic steps to successful writing

Writing is a form of art. The beauty of putting words together to form your own expression or point of view is a creation in itself. This form of art has more freedom than you think. Don’t let guidelines fool you. There are over two hundred thousand words in the English dictionary. This leaves room for countless options. As a student writer, I have experienced many blocks in the past due to what I thought were restrictions causing me to have anxieties. For example, I disproportionately concerned myself with technicalities such as: MLA format, number of pages, grammar, structure, punctuation and repetition of words. Later, through extensive writing, I have come to realize that practice makes perfect. Writing is like a research project. The only way to gain confidence in writing is by doing more of it and by exploring new ideas in making it work for you. For example, I realized that the MLA format actually creates a more smoothly organized paper. I started to think of guidelines as helpful tools rather than restrictions. And don’t get hung up on word choices; worry about this during the revision process, which is also known as rough drafts. I went through many struggles in writing to get to the confidence I have now. Be patient and have fun with it. Don’t let letter grades or teacher’s criticisms distract you from becoming a successful writer. Just remember content is key.

As a student writer

I. Find the beginning

Identify what will be your opening sentence. It can perhaps be something more vague than the focus of your paper that may raise questions or curiosity for the reader. Also, a more bold statement may be effective. This could serve as a successful eye opener that typically keeps the reader engaged and alert.

Here is an example of a bold introduction. This is bold because the words womanizer and revolutionist are attention grabbers and appeals to a reader’s curiosity. Also, setting up words that are contrast to each other, womanizer and revolutionist creates a bold statement, which is in contrast to a person who “honored the working class.” This provokes interest because people like heroes and in our society heroes that are often public servants (they usually fight for the common person often without payment of reward). In they say/I say also notes that the usage of a strong introduction will capture the attention of the attended audience.

“Diego Rivera was a womanizer, revolutionist and honored the working class. He was born in Mexico but studied in Europe where he became renowned for his paintings. He was then invited…”

II. Find the best candidate for your point

This part of your paper is the thesis. It should express your key point. This statement should also be reinforced in the conclusion as well.

Keep in mind that the thesis is typically the last sentence but not always. In the example shown below the thesis is not exactly the last sentence. The writer identifies her key point in a very subtle way and flows swiftly.

“Diego Rivera was a womanizer, revolutionist and honored the working class. He was born in Mexico but studied in Europe where he became renowned for his paintings. He was then invited to join the “Art In Action Program” hosted by the 1940 season of the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in San Francisco by Timothy Pflueger, who was a well- known architect. Timothy wanted Diego’s mural to be incorporated in the San Francisco Junior College Library; however, construction of the library was halted due to United States entry into World War II and Pflueger’s unexpected death. During this time Diego was part of the Mexican Muralist Movement and the Pan American Unity mural was the perfect opportunity to intertwine social realism and ancestral art. Currently this mural is housed at the Diego Rivera Theater at City College of San Francisco.”

This is acceptable yet could be stronger. Here is another example of a stronger thesis that covers multiple points that will be covered through the body. It is direct and clear. Notice how the thesis statements do not appear sooner in the paragraph. The main focus is elaborated on for some time before mentioning what will be talked about in the paper.

“Many Americans face countless concerns and uncertainties when confronting the central facts of our health care system. A few out of the many reasons that contribute to these doubts are those who have health insurance see a rising cost in prescriptions and treatment prices; all of which create negative and unhealthy side effects. For those who cannot pay for allopathic medicine or simply want to look into alternative forms of treatment for enhanced results, there is a less costly and more long-term affective method. This method can also be used as prevention as well as self- healing therapy depending on the severity of the illness. This method lies in Reiki. Reiki has been proven to decrease anxiety, enhance clinical outcomes, and reduces symptoms of chronic conditions. It is easily accessible, low risk, easy to use, beneficial and causes no side effects. “Practitioners believe Reiki has the potential to rebalance the biofield at the deepest vibrational level, thereby removing the subtle causes of illness while enhancing over all resilience.” (Miles and True, 2003)

A good thesis statement should have a clear view of what you intend to prove. It should not be a simple summarization of facts from research. It should be well thought out.

The conclusion reinforces the thesis on Diego Rivera’s artwork because it refers to the mural’s general but central representation.

“Diego had a conversation with Dorothy Puccinelli in reference to his main purpose for this mural which is stated as follows “I believe in order to make an American art, a real American art, (it) will be necessary (to have) this blending of the art of the Indian, the Mexican, the Eskimo, with the kind of urge which makes the machine, the invention in the material side of life, which is also the artistic urge—the same urge primarily but in a different form of expression.” Hence, I believe Diego did convey his message on the Pan American Unity Mural, in which he paid homage to both the ancestral side and machine side and all the working class people. Diego illustrated this by comparing the times in his mural North compared to South America. The unification of the ancestral side and machine side are both forms of art and progression that represent “All of America”.

III. Go back to your thesis every once in a while to see if it matches the body

If you mention that you will be talking about x, y and z in the thesis make sure that those three points are covered in your paper and turned into large sections. Everything must tie together. If one point in your thesis is vaguely mentioned in the body go back and elaborate on it more.

IV. Find each sections introduction and conclusion

Each paragraph should have a conclusion that will lead into the next paragraphs introduction smoothly. The conclusion should have something to do with the following introduction. This keeps the reader from getting confused.

Here is a great example of the conclusion and introduction working together.

“Detection of such imbalances allows the practitioner to cleanse the patient from negative feelings, emotions and physical burdens. (Intelihealth) According to practitioners, all of the body systems can be covered within 30 to 90 minutes. (Intelihealth)

Patients claimed to have felt warmth, tingling, sleepiness, relaxation or invigoration during sessions. (Intelihealth) These are positive side effects of Reiki. The sensations are an indication that the practice is effectively working. When done properly, one’s spiritual well-being is….”

V. Check your facts

Check your facts and make sure that they are not embellished with words such as vehemently, largely and/or overt. As a writer it is important that you have credibility. The reader must feel confident when reading facts. Citing and quoting will help immensely.

Here is a perfect example of a non-embellished fact.

“This includes state anxiety, blood pressure, galvanic skin response, muscle tension, and skin temperature that was monitored prior to, thought and after the Reiki session. (Miles and True 2003)”

The tone is not too strong nor is it aggressive.

In conclusion, it is crucial to focus on getting your point across when writing a paper. Grammar and other errors can be revised when the paper is done. It is best to focus solely on getting your point across rather than focusing on numerous things at once. This can be difficult if multi-tasking is not your specialty and more so if neither is writing. Another way of making writing easier is doing proper research. This will help with your interest level if you are already not fascinated on the topic. When proper research is not done writing takes longer due to excessive back and forth shuffling through notes. This can encourage writers block. When this occurs it is best sometimes to sort of force yourself to get your words down. These words may not be useful in the end although it is a great way to exercise your brain. In doing so, the process will shorten and your thesis, body and conclusion will tie up successfully. Do not let grades get in the way. You can be a great author. Remember, always keep in mind that we all like different literature.