BASIC WRITING STRATEGIES
Before Writing
READ the topic carefully; be sure to understand exactly what you should write about.
LIMIT the topic; cut it down to one aspect that interests you or about which you feel strongly.
WRITE the topic sentence. Make an assertion. The topic sentence must give you something to prove or explain. The topic sentence must be a complete statement, not a fragment or a question.
BRAINSTORM ideas for the supporting sentences. Jot down anything and everything that might relate to your topic sentence.
CHOOSE AND DROP ideas. Choose only the ideas that relate specifically to your topic sentence; drop those that only sort of or might relate.
GROUP together ideas that have something in common. Try to make three groups.
ARRANGE the three groups in a logical order—time order or least important to most important. Now you have an outline.
While Writing
REFER often to your outline so that you don't get off the topic and end up with a wonderful paragraph which does not support your topic sentence.
SHOW—DON'T TELL—what you mean. Use active verbs and specific, concrete details.
USE transitional words and phrases to make your paragraph flow smoothly, to emphasize the main points, and to guide the reader through the steps or examples to the conclusion.
AVOID "padding" or using important–sounding words and phrases. Write in your own natural voice. Use as few words as possible and be clear and direct.
CONSULT the dictionary when necessary to make sure you have really said what you think you are saying. Do not try to impress the reader with unfamiliar words. Do not choose words from a thesaurus unless you are certain of their meaning.
FORGET the words "you," "your," or "yours." While "you" is not always incorrect, its use may make your paragraph too personal in tone. Also, "you" is often misused to refer to a third person such as "people," "a person," or "everyone."
REINFORCE the topic sentence in your conclusion and indicate to the reader that the paragraph is finished.
After Writing
REREAD your paragraph carefully. Find and mark any spots that are not clear. Be sure that you have a topic sentence, three main supports, and a concluding sentence. Check for clear transitions and specific examples.
REVISE awkward or simplistic phrasing by rewording or combining sentences.
PROOFREAD your paper and mark misspelled words and errors in usage and mechanics.
CORRECT all the errors you have found.
—If you are writing in class, you have finished. You are ready to turn in your paper. —
—If you are writing outside class, complete the next two steps before you turn in your paper. —
PROOFREAD for grammar and spelling errors, typos, and any other careless or overlooked errors, correcting each error as you find it. If you are not sure that you have found all the errors, ask someone else to read your paper for you, marking everything that looks wrong.
WRITE a final, perfect draft to turn in.
NOTE: If you substitute the words "essay" for "paragraph" and "thesis statement" for "topic sentence," you can use these strategies to write any kind of paper.