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Getting Started
Where do I begin?
Before you begin to write, make a plan.
- Brainstorming: Think about what you would like to write. Make a list of your ideas or freewrite by just writing 1-2 pages of about your topic and what you want to explore. Try to think of five points you can discuss in your essay.
- Talk about your topic and ideas with your classmates, a tutor, professor, friend or relative. They don’t have to knowledge of the topic to listen and share what they think sounds reasonable. This is a good way to try out your ideas and come up with new ones. Encourage others to ask you questions so that you can have a clear idea of what you need to research and include in your paper and how you might organize it.
As you begin writing, consider the following:
- Decide which main points you will focus on in your essay.
- Decide which point you wish to develop first, second, third, etc.
- For each point you present, be sure to discuss several aspects of that point. For example, you may want to give a definition, tell why it is important, and suggest how it is relevant to the topic.
- Write two explanations and/or examples to illustrate each point/idea.
For more suggestions on getting started with your writing assignments, consult Brainstorming, Writing Thesis Statements, and Outlining.
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