Developing Ideas: From “Topic” to “Paper”UWC Writing WorkshopFall 2013

Has this ever happened to you?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeOevu4zC5o

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd2Q6Fagemg

Developing Ideas: The Beginning

• What do you think you should do when you first get a writing assignment?

• What do you actually do when you first get a writing assignment?

• The “textbook” formula:• State your thesis•Write an outline•Write the first draft• Revise and polish

Does this work for you? If not, what do you do?

Master prompt, brainstor

m

Thesis statement/

other starting

point

Topic sentences,

outline

Paper!

How to approach a paper:

Dealing with the Prompt

Dealing with the Prompt/Assignment

• How to:•Read the prompt the entire way through once•Underline or circle the portions that you absolutely MUST know•Underline or circle important phrases•Think about how you will address the prompt•Rank ideas in descending order, from most important to least important

Ask Brilliant Questions!!!

• Determine:•What is the purpose of this assignment?•Who is my audience?•What resources do I need to begin work?•Who, beyond my instructor, can I contact to help me if I have questions?

Now…let’s work through a prompt!

• Read through the prompt and take notes on it!

• Ask yourself brilliant questions! (What? and Who?)

• Begin to brainstorm! •Can only do this once you truly understand the assignment!!-if you do this before you understand, you’ll have ideas that may have nothing to do with what you’re supposed to do and it won’t work out!

Brainstorming Techniques• Free writing: let your thoughts flow as they will,

putting pen to paper and writing down whatever comes into your mind

• Listing/Bulleting: jot down lists of words or phrases under a particular topic (base this on either the general topic or one or more words from the prompt).

• 3 Perspectives: Describe it, Trace it, Map it• Clustering/Mapping/Webbing: linking up terms or

ideas in a “map-like” fashion• Charts/Shapes: for the more visually inclined-take

terms and ideas and link them up more spatially

The REALLY GOOD News!!!

• Once you’ve thought about your topic this much, crafting a thesis statement (or other basis for your paper) is much easier. From there, you can flesh out the plan for the topic sentences and begin to construct an outline, which will make the actual writing a piece of cake!

The UWC is here to help!!!

• 678-839-6513• writing@westga.edu• TLC 1201 (First floor, past the snacks)• www.westga.edu/writing • Like us on Facebook:• University Writing Center (UWG)