Broad Topic O If example essay topic

Starting the Writing Process There are six main parts to the writing process. They are: 1. Generating ideas, establishing purpose, and identifying audience, 2. Ordering ideas, 3. Writing the first draft, 4.

Revising for content, organization, and expression, 5. Error correction, and 6. Proofreading the final copy. Generating Ideas If given the option of selecting your own topic for an essay, here are some ways to choose one: o Ask yourself what is going on in the world. Pay attention to the news, read the papers, consider discussions from your classes, listen to what those close to you are concerned about. o Freewrite.

Just write nonstop for five or ten minutes, recording all that comes to mind. o Fill in the blanks. Below are some sample sentences to complete. 1. I'll never forget the time I. 2. is the most I know. 3.

After, I was never the same again. 4. College can best be described as. 5. Is there anything more frustrating (interesting / exciting ) than? 6.

This world can certainly do without. 7. What this world needs is. 8. made a lasting impression on me. 9. After, I changed my mind about. 10.

My biggest success (failure) was. 11. Life with is. 12.

Life would be easier if only. 13. I get so angry (annoyed / frightened ) when. 14. is better (worse) than. 15. The main cause of is.

16. The main effect of is. 17. Most people do not understand the real meaning of. 18.

The best way to do is. Once you have a topic, you may discover that it is too broad. Below are some ways to narrow a broad topic. o If you chose to freewrite before, take a look at it again. Maybe you can discover something there to narrow the topic. If you came up with the topic using some other method, perhaps free writing could help you. o Write the broad topic at the top of a page and then list every aspect of the topic that comes to mind. o Consider the particular pattern of development for the assigned essay. We will be writing the following types of essays: descriptive (explain what something looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes like), exemplification (using examples), comparison-contrast (showing similarities and differences), cause-and-effect analysis (explaining the reasons something occurs and the results of the event), and argumentation (convincing a reader to think or act a particular way.

How can the applicable pattern of development be applied to your broad topic? See specific questions for each pattern of development on page 33 of the textbook. o Map your broad topic. Write the topic in the middle of a page, circle it, and have narrower topics branch out from the broad one. Establishing Purpose Ask yourself why you " re writing the piece.

Below are four purposes of writing. 1. To express feelings or ideas to the reader and / or relate experiences. (Ask why you want to express yourself or relate your experience. What effect do you want to have on your reader?) 2. To inform the reader of something.

(Why do you want to inform the reader of the difficulties you experienced?) 3. To persuade the reader to think or act a certain way. (Why do you want to persuade your reader that something should be done?) 4. To entertain the reader.

(Why do you want to entertain the reader about your subject?) Identify Your Audience You don't have to think of me, the instructor, as the audience. You can gear your paper to any audience that you perceive as being interested in your topic. Below are questions for identifying your audience. 1. Who could learn something from my writing? 2.

Who would enjoy reading about my topic? 3. Who could be influenced to think or act a certain way? 4. Who shares an interest in my topic? 5.

Who would find my topic important? 6. Who needs to hear what I have to say? Once you identify your audience, you must meet your readers' needs to achieve your purpose. These questions can help: 1. What does my reader already know about my topic?

2. What information will my reader need to appreciate my opinion? 3. Does my reader have any strong feelings about my topic?

4. Is my reader interested in my topic, or will I have to arouse interest? 5. How receptive will my reader be to my opinion? Why?

6. Will my reader's age, gender, level of education, income, job, political views, background, or religion affect his or her reaction to my topic?