Getting Started

Starting a writing assignment can be the most challenging aspect. There is a lot to think about. A topic needs to be established, supporting details need to be thought of, and there needs to be a hook that draws readers in. Facts/data may need to be gathered, and quite a few other things as well. Once you get the ball rolling, it may be smooth sailing, but getting started can sometimes be both intimidating and overwhelming. Professor requirements may vary from class to class, so you always want to consider what specifics they are looking for. Below, you may find some ways to ease into the writing process.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming continually proves to be an effective tactic when beginning the writing process. There are many ways to do this. It’s really a matter of finding what works best for you. Sometimes you have to try multiple things in order to get your best idea. During the process, you might come up with a number of good ideas that need to be revised, and that’s all part of it. No one expects you to come up with a golden idea that doesn’t require any work while brainstorming. The process primarily exists so that you can feel open and unjudged as you get your thoughts onto the page, knowing they can be refined later on.

Freewriting

Freewriting is a powerful brainstorming technique. It involves setting aside a specific amount of time, whatever feels comfortable to you, and writing continuously without editing. During freewriting, you shouldn’t worry about anything except the content of what you are writing. Punctuation and grammar are not important, as long as you can understand what is written when the timer ends. If you feel blocked, you can even write about things that aren’t exactly relevant to your current writing assignment; you may be surprised at how writing something down that may not seem relevant can inspire the perfect idea. Below is an example of a potential freewriting session:

Don’t worry if your writing doesn’t make perfect sense; you are most likely the only person who is going to see this anyway, unless you want to share it. Be silly, be serious, show all sides to yourself, or stay focused on only the current topic if you feel that’s what you need. The point of brainstorming is that it is for you and your work, so do what you want to do in order to feel confident.

Idea Map

An idea map is a brainstorming technique that may be helpful to those who like a visual representation of their ideas. This tactic is all about ideas working off one another in order to make connections and figure out which route is best. 
The idea is writing down the topic, coming up with one idea, and then getting inspired with more as you keep extending what’s there. With the idea map, you should write the topic/question in the center and then circle it. Next, write down the first potential idea you think of based on the topic and connect it with a line to the center topic. With that idea, branch some supporting points off of that, and then repeat the process with other ideas you come up with. Below, you can find an example of what this looks like:

You can be as thorough as you like. As long as you get some ideas and understand the direction you would like to go, it can be considered an effective tool. Sometimes, ideas from different branches may connect back with each other, and you may decide to use parts of each branch for your overall idea to create an in-depth assignment.

Idea List

Similar to an idea map, an idea list is a number of different ideas built around the main topic in question. The difference here is the way the task is carried out; an idea map was created more for visual learners, while an idea list is good for those who prefer simple, written-out methods. At the top of the list, you will write out your topic or question at hand. Once complete, you can bullet, number, plainly write, or a number of other things to find connecting ideas. There can be multiple topics and supporting points throughout your list; again, whatever works best for you. Below, you can find an example of what this looks like:

This list can be short or long and can consist of complete sentences or not. Again, it is up to you how you wish to carry out these brainstorming tactics. The important part is that they get ideas flowing.

The Basic Questions

This may sound overly simple, but it can be surprising just how flustered and forgetful one can be in the writing process. Going back to the basics and asking yourself how to get specific is a part of the process that one can often forget. If you think you have an idea but do not know where to take it, ask yourself these questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

After you answer these questions, try to build on your responses. If you’re unable to answer all of them, consider changing or expanding your idea. Sometimes, writing includes a lot of content but lacks the basic elements that make it clear and readable. When writers focus too much on being complex, they may overlook critical foundational components.

Organizing with an Outline

When you feel confident in an idea, or even a couple, then you can start organizing your information to make it easier when you’re ready to begin writing. An outline is typically the best way to do this, and there are a few different ways an outline can be constructed. An outline is basically a skeleton of what will become the finished assignment. It will include all the main points/topics that will be discussed. An outline can be just simple bullet points or complete sentences. If you choose complete sentences, it may be easier when writing the paper, but you should choose what you’re most comfortable with. The formal outline format is done with Roman numerals. However, if you’re just making the outline for yourself, then you are welcome to construct it however is easiest, as long as you understand it. Below you can find the format for a potential outline:

Outlines will vary depending on the assignment, so don’t feel obligated to structure them the same way every time. The goal is to help you organize your thoughts so that you aren’t scrambling to fit everything in as you write. Coming across as logical and coherent is very important in writing for obvious reasons. Brainstorming and then outlining can help you achieve that.

While creating your outline, think about how you want information to flow. There should be some kind of pattern to how you’re presenting your main ideas and supporting details. This could be chronologically, based on importance, geographically, or another structure. The approach will vary depending on the content and assignments, but there should always be a conscious way your information is organized.

Research

Research can be a taxing part of the writing process. Not every paper requires research to be done. However, papers that have been written utilizing some research tend to convey a stronger argument. Research allows for points to be supported and makes you sound more credible overall. Some writers prefer to gather all their research before they begin writing, while others research as they go; either approach is fine. Starting with research can help you focus while drafting, but it’s also normal for ideas to evolve, which may require additional research along the way. Identifying the right resources can be the difficult part. You want research that provides solid evidence from a reliable source. Sources can include personal interviews, online articles, books, and more. The kind of research you choose will depend on your topic, your audience, and any specific guidelines your professor provides for the assignment.

Skimming

If you don’t have time to read every source in full, skimming can be an effective strategy. To do this effectively, it helps to know what to look for before you begin. While it’s important to check every heading, you should also read the beginning of each paragraph, even if the heading doesn’t seem relevant to your search. Sometimes, useful information ends up in unexpected places. You will also want to look at how each paragraph/section ends, as conclusions can offer clues related to your topic. Dates tend to stand out amongst words, so try to note which ones appear around information you are looking for, if possible.

Benefits to reading whole sources

The thing about research is that it can be useful beyond a single subject. You might stumble upon research for one project that ends up being useful later in an unrelated assignment. Continuously finding ways to educate yourself is valuable, and researching for assignments is one way to accomplish that. Reading and sorting through sources can take time, but it may save you time in the future if you familiarize yourself with different kinds of material. If you have time to read thoroughly, it’s probably a good idea.

Credible Sources

Finding credible sources can be a challenge, especially since it’s nearly impossible to find something that is 100% accurate. Many people are advised to avoid Wikipedia because anyone can contribute to the site and present information that may not be reliable. Joyner Library has a strong online presence, and within the physical library, you’ll find helpful staff ready to assist you. Sometimes, confirming a source’s credibility requires you to research your research. Fact-checking can be tedious, but it strengthens your paper. 
Including statistics or specific data can also enhance an assignment, when relevant, by offering insight into experiments or existing research related to your topic.

Scholarly Sources

Scholarly sources are the best places to find research. A source is considered scholarly if it has been written by an expert in the field with provided credentials and has been peer reviewed.  These sources tend to be written for other experts and often utilize technical language. Academic articles from periodicals/journals are another great source.  Peer-reviewed sources are particularly beneficial because if the work has been published it means it passed an exhaustive review by other experts in the field.

Provide Insight

Whatever evidence and research you may find, always remember to elaborate on it. Research is great, but it’s not just a matter of copying and pasting. While it may seem like it should speak for itself, pulling information from an outside source, even when citing it properly, does not show your own voice. You want to make sure you include your opinion and support it with your sources. In doing so, you are fulfilling your part of the assignment. If you write a paper entirely from outside sources, you’re not demonstrating your understanding of the material or allowing your voice to come through. This is a key aspect of academic writing. Ask yourself, “Why am I writing this?” Based on your answer, aim to create a paper that balances your voice with the evidence that supports your ideas.

The Introduction

Starting a paper can be challenging when your head is in so many different places, but the introduction doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it seems. There’s no required length here, just include enough to match the scope of your topic.

As with everything else, what you’re writing about will influence how the introduction is structured. In many cases, it’s helpful to start with something that grabs the reader’s attention. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, but if your paper starts off without a proper introduction, readers may be confused. Your opening sentence could be a relevant statistic, an anecdote (a short story related to the topic), a thought-provoking question, or something else entirely. What these options have in common is that they draw readers in and make them curious about what’s ahead. The goal of a strong opening sentence is to keep your audience engaged. 

After the hook, provide some background/context on your specific topic. Think about what readers need to know before diving into the details. Is there important history or foundational knowledge? What should your audience understand right away? This information is completely up to you and should set the tone for the rest of the paper.

The final and most important part of the introduction is the thesis. This should be crafted before you begin writing; it guides the entire paper. A thesis is one to two sentences that outline the direction of your paper by providing judgment on a topic. It shouldn’t just state your idea; it should also briefly explain why, which you’ll expand on throughout the body of your paper. While a thesis isn’t always personal, it often reflects your interpretations of events, issues, or evidence.

Transitions

When moving from paragraph to paragraph, make sure you are guiding the audience through smooth transitions that are easy to follow. If you jump from one topic to another without warning, you may lose some of the audience. Transitions are most effective at the end of a paragraph or beginning of the next when information from both topics can be put into one sentence together. Even if the topics are different, they should still connect to the overarching idea of your paper. If, for some reason, they don’t work together, ask yourself if they are really relevant to the main idea. Even conflicting views can be connected with transitional phrasing, such as: “While *insert first topic* may be prevalent in one culture, another view is *insert second topic*.” This example is specific to cultural discussion, but the idea is that even opposing points can be woven together with intentional language. Transitions become easier with practice, but it’s all about wording and helping the audience realize you are moving from point to point. They can be subtle or obvious; the choice depends on your writing style.

The Conclusion

The conclusion is the part of the assignment where ideas should be wrapped up and key connections to the topic should be made. The thesis should be restated, and the audience should leave with a clear understanding of what was discussed. If this is part of a larger work, it may be helpful to introduce something that connects to a future section; otherwise, avoid bringing in new information that could confuse the reader. The conclusion should reiterate the ideas that were touched on throughout without repeating anything word for word. This helps the audience recall the most important parts without having to reread the entire paper. Your conclusion doesn’t have to be lengthy, but you should feel confident that you mentioned everything of importance. A strong closing sentence is important. It should be something the reader can reflect on. If possible, try to avoid the standard “in conclusion” or “in summary.” These statements tend to take away from what really matters, which is the information itself. Ending with a call to action is typically very effective. Let your readers know what they can now do with the information you’ve shared and why it matters.

 The writing process can feel overwhelming, but the UWC is here to make it easier. If you have any questions, feel free to make an appointment with a consultant today.

References

• CCC Library. (2020, December 2). Scholarly vs popular: Characteristics of scholarly resources. https://libraryguides.chemeketa.edu/scholarly
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania. (n.d.). Brainstorming. https://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/before-you-write/brainstorming/
• Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). Brainstorm for the essay. Purdue University. https://owl.purdue.edu/engagement/ged_preparation/part_2_lessons_1_5/index.html
• University of Maryland Global Campus. (n.d.). Prewriting and outlining. https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/writing-resources/getting-started-writing/prewriting-and-outlining.cfm
• The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (n.d.). Brainstorming. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
• The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (n.d.). Evidence. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/evidence/