Writing Workshop!
This page is designed to help you with furthering your ability to put together good, developed writing in order to prepare for collegiate-level work. This page itself will not make you a better writer, but will offer a number of resources in order to procure the type of writing necessary to be successful.
If possible, use each of these resources to simply gain a understanding of what to do...then spend lots of time in practice!
If possible, use each of these resources to simply gain a understanding of what to do...then spend lots of time in practice!
smart.study/blog/thesis-help-99-free-tools-to-save-time/
Step-by-Step process
The Introduction
Time to give the reader a "point of entry" for your paper.
Introductions can be the most difficult part of a paper to write. Usually when you sit down to respond to an assignment, you have at least some sense of what you want to say in the body of your paper. You might have chosen a few examples you want to use or have an idea that will help you answer the main question of your assignment: these sections, therefore, are not as hard to write. But these middle parts of the paper can't just come out of thin air; they need to be introduced in a way that makes sense to your reader.
Introductions can be the most difficult part of a paper to write. Usually when you sit down to respond to an assignment, you have at least some sense of what you want to say in the body of your paper. You might have chosen a few examples you want to use or have an idea that will help you answer the main question of your assignment: these sections, therefore, are not as hard to write. But these middle parts of the paper can't just come out of thin air; they need to be introduced in a way that makes sense to your reader.
Links to help with Introduction writing
The THESIS Statement
A thesis is not an announcement. You are not to say in a paper what you plan to discuss. Your paper should be doing that work for you. An instance would be something to the effect of, "This paper is about the school's new uniforms." Rather, you might say something such as, "School uniforms are a detriment to the individuality that students should and must be able to express." This expresses what you plan to talk about in such a way that you are not overtly stating your intentions.
A thesis is a statement, but not an absolute fact. It also may express an opinion, but your stance on an issue need not be explicit within the thesis. This is where learning how to write a thesis statement can get a bit complicated. For example, you may have heard from some teachers or other writers that you are not to use "I" in a paper, as it expresses your opinion blatantly. First person is not necessary, and sometimes not even proper, in certain types of papers. You should not say, "I think abortion should not be legal." Instead, say, "Abortion should not be legal." You see how this is a statement that does express a more subtle opinion on your part, but not an absolute fact. It is obvious that your opinion matters in this thesis statement, but your examples and descriptions that will stem from the research you do regarding the legality of abortion will lend the paper more to analysis of the reasons stemming from your thesis, rather than opinion and obvious defense of that opinion.
A thesis is a statement, but not an absolute fact. It also may express an opinion, but your stance on an issue need not be explicit within the thesis. This is where learning how to write a thesis statement can get a bit complicated. For example, you may have heard from some teachers or other writers that you are not to use "I" in a paper, as it expresses your opinion blatantly. First person is not necessary, and sometimes not even proper, in certain types of papers. You should not say, "I think abortion should not be legal." Instead, say, "Abortion should not be legal." You see how this is a statement that does express a more subtle opinion on your part, but not an absolute fact. It is obvious that your opinion matters in this thesis statement, but your examples and descriptions that will stem from the research you do regarding the legality of abortion will lend the paper more to analysis of the reasons stemming from your thesis, rather than opinion and obvious defense of that opinion.
Links to help with Thesis Statement writing
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml#strongthesis
http://www.writers-block-help.com/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/thesis.shtml
http://www.writers-block-help.com/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/thesis.shtml
The BODY
Paragraph One should open with a transitional sentence. It should lead the reader into the first piece of evidence you use to support your thesis statement, your argument. It is essentially a mini-thesis for the paragraph. From the transitional/opening sentence, you can go on to cite evidence to support your argument. This evidence must all revolve around a single theme and should come in the form of a quotation (or factual information from a primary source). If you put too many different themes into one body paragraph, then the essay becomes confusing. Body Paragraph One will deal with one theme for your argument. You may have several pieces of evidence to support this one them, which is absolutely fine. Once you use a piece of evidence, be sure and write at least one or two sentences explaining why you use it. Then, wrap up the Body Paragraph with a mini-concluding sentence summing up only what you have discussed in that paragraph.
Your paper should be organized in a manner that moves from general to specific information. Every time you begin a new subject, think of an inverted pyramid - the broadest range of information sits at the top, and as the paragraph or paper progresses, the author becomes more and more focused on the argument ending with specific, detailed evidence supporting a claim. Lastly, the author explains how and why the information she has just provided connects to and supports her thesis (a brief wrap up or warrant).
Your paper should be organized in a manner that moves from general to specific information. Every time you begin a new subject, think of an inverted pyramid - the broadest range of information sits at the top, and as the paragraph or paper progresses, the author becomes more and more focused on the argument ending with specific, detailed evidence supporting a claim. Lastly, the author explains how and why the information she has just provided connects to and supports her thesis (a brief wrap up or warrant).
Link to help with the BODY of the paper
http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/15_Body_Of_Paper.asp
http://www.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/app/fulwiler6_demo/fulwiler_pages_2/specific_paper/specific02.html
http://www.bookrags.com/articles/4.html
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/724/02/
http://www.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/app/fulwiler6_demo/fulwiler_pages_2/specific_paper/specific02.html
http://www.bookrags.com/articles/4.html
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/724/02/
The Conclusion
Just as your introduction acts as a bridge that transports your readers from their own lives into the "place" of your analysis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives. Such a conclusion will help them see why all your analysis and information should matter to them after they put the paper down.
Your conclusion is your chance to have the last word on the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to summarize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.
Your conclusion can go beyond the confines of the assignment. The conclusion pushes beyond the boundaries of the prompt and allows you to consider broader issues, make new connections, and elaborate on the significance of your findings.
Your conclusion should make your readers glad they read your paper. Your conclusion gives your reader something to take away that will help them see things differently or appreciate your topic in personally relevant ways. It can suggest broader implications that will not only interest your reader, but also enrich your reader's life in some way. It is your gift to the reader.
Your conclusion is your chance to have the last word on the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to summarize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.
Your conclusion can go beyond the confines of the assignment. The conclusion pushes beyond the boundaries of the prompt and allows you to consider broader issues, make new connections, and elaborate on the significance of your findings.
Your conclusion should make your readers glad they read your paper. Your conclusion gives your reader something to take away that will help them see things differently or appreciate your topic in personally relevant ways. It can suggest broader implications that will not only interest your reader, but also enrich your reader's life in some way. It is your gift to the reader.
Links to help with the Conclusion of your paper
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/writing-the-paper/conclusions
http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/18_Writing_Conclusion.asp
http://www.ehow.com/how_2141341_write-strong-conclusion.html
http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/conclude.html
http://www.experiment-resources.com/writing-a-conclusion.html
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/writing-the-paper/conclusions
http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/18_Writing_Conclusion.asp
http://www.ehow.com/how_2141341_write-strong-conclusion.html
http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/conclude.html
http://www.experiment-resources.com/writing-a-conclusion.html
Other helpful tips for writing
guide_to_sentence_structure.doc | |
File Size: | 30 kb |
File Type: | doc |