Genius!!
Okay I am reaching out for help here. How do YOU start writing papers? I hate it. The resources have been gathered, now for just starting the words... for the love of everything good...I love my chocolate icecream I just bought... the moon is beautiful tonight...should i even buy groceries at walmart...what... am I too distracted? HELP!!!!
posted by Chryslyn @ 10:06 PM
6 Comments:
First, I go get starbucks or esquires. Then I head to the top floor of the library in the curr lab (I think that's what it's called), find a table in a relatively quiet spot. I layout all my stuff and put in my headphones. Then I usually write the points that i've highlighted out of each of the sources down onto looseleaf sheets of paper, kinda into their own groups if I am trying to proove sepereate points. Then I write a basic outline without writing my citations in, just leaving a note where I need to cite things. Then I let it sit for a night so I can mull it over. Then I go back the next day, reread what I wrote, flesh it out a bit more. Let it sit, and keep doing this routine for about a week until the paper is written. I have never been really good at writing a whole paper in one sitting, so I take about a week to do it.
I really struggled with the idea that paper writing isn't linear. That is, you don't write it's final sequence of intro-body-conclusion. Usually, I know what arguments I want to make and what I'd like to say my thesis is, but over the course of writing the body/arguments, I usually mitigate my position and have to rewrite the intro. These days, I slap down a super crappy intro (so I have extra motive to go back and fix it), then write the substantive stuff I already know, conclude, then re-begin. Joyous, isn't it? ;)
Well, I am not sure I am academically worthy to make a post on how to write a paper, but I would say make an outline first. They are a pain to do, but in the end are helpful in organizing your thoughts.
And I would also like to say that sometimes just writing anything helps you get focused and you can just delete it later.
If it was me, I would also make sure everything else is done, because I am the queen of making up 'things' that I need to do instead of writing the paper. These include cleaning, crosswords, phonecalls, crafts, tv watching and eating:)
:)
Well thanks a buch for the tips. I can say that until this comment i have made a kick-ass intro (a little disturbed by your comments mel about re-writing!) and the outline is coming along. I'll let you know how painful this paper was when i am done and the outcome.
I'm sure your intro is wicked awesome. I got my vest at MEC. :)
I write an outline with points I need to cover, then go through my resources and higlight possible quotes/things to cite (I then like to tape them up all around my cubicle - Carlynne saw a picture of it and said it reminded her of that part in "A Beautiful Mind" when they go into his shack and it's plastered with articles) and away I go. And the whole paper doesn't have to be written in the order it's read in...write it as you feel inspired. Oh, and headings are key to keep you organized. Look at the papers you're reading - they use headings, so feel free to use them yourself.
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