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Life Cycle of a Paper

Rachel Grammer

Writing Instructor

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Overview

The writing process: What is it?• Reading critically• Getting started• Writing the rough draft• Sharing your work• Writing the final draft• Reflecting on your writing

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Poll: The Writing Process

What is your biggest concern in writing a paper?A. I’m concerned about my reading skills.B. I have a tough time getting started on a paper.C. I often get stuck finishing a paper.D. I’m not sure how to revise or proofread my

writing.

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The Writing Process

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An Assignment

For a philosophy class:Choose a historical figure who lived by the

Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” Write a 2-page essay convincing your reader of that person’s adherence to the golden rule. Use examples and credit sources.

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Reading Critically

With the assignment now in mind, you could try freewriting.• Short 15-minute burst of writing anything that comes to

mind on the assignment topic.• Don’t worry about structure, grammar, spelling.• At the end, go over what you’ve written to see if you’ve

narrowed your focus or have any usable information.– Did you discover who you think is an ethical historical

figure? This can now guide your research and reading.– http://library.waldenu.edu/

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Reading Critically

Reading critically is• reading the text and judging its scholarly value. Ask

questions concerning potential weaknesses in the articles. This step allows you to assess the validity of the author's work and decide how you're going to employ it in your own document.

• reading the text as an insightful member of the academic community with your own agenda (your assignment). This is typically done by viewing the literature through the lens of your own study and interest.

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Poll: Note-taking Strategies

What note-taking strategies (if any) have you used?

A.Color codingB.HighlightingC.Asking questionsD.Comparing to your own experience or other

sources

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What It Looks Like: Note-takingNo malice, no revenge. Proves that he was concerned with other people.

No malice, no revenge. Proves that he was concerned with other people.

Slavery as evil.Slavery as evil.

Moral language. But what about actions? Did he show this morality in action too?

Moral language. But what about actions? Did he show this morality in action too?

Admitting own faults and not being self-righteous.

Admitting own faults and not being self-righteous.

Excerpt from a book on Lincoln with student notes

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Getting Started

Synthesize your reading• You have taken careful notes. Now what do those

notes say?• Come to an understanding on your topic. Do

some of the sources say similar things while others say different?

Form an argument• What is the argument you want to make based on

your reading?

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Getting Started

Outline• When you outline, you build off the argument to

“map out” a full paper.• Outlining

Offers visual representation of your paper Allows you to progress your argument Shows organization of major topics

• Sample outline here: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/318.htm

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What It Looks Like: Basic Outline

Introduction/Main idea • Abraham Lincoln demonstrated the Golden Rule throughout his life.Supporting idea 1: Lincoln’s speeches and writings showed his belief in

treating others fairly.• Speech at Peoria established his hatred of slavery and the idea of seeing

people as equal• Include quotes from speeches and writingsSupporting idea 2: Lincoln’s actions toward freeing the slaves also showed

his devotion to the Golden Rule.• Abolishment of slavery in the Confederate states with the Emancipation

Proclamation• Paved the way for complete abolishment• Address counterargument about political gain hereConclusion

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What It Looks Like: Mind Map

From http://bubbl.us/

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Poll: Strategies You Want to Use

When I write, I plan to start (or continue) using (click all that apply):

A. FreewritingB. OutliningC. Reading more critically (while taking notes)D. Using a MindMap

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Writing the Rough Draft

Now that you have an outline, develop your supporting ideas into paragraphs.

Four components of a paragraph:M = Main IdeaE = EvidenceA = AnalysisL = Lead-out (including synthesis)

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Writing the Rough Draft

1. What you put in the top of the funnel must relate to what

comes before it. Use this opening sentence to introduce

the main idea.

2. Follow the opening sentence with support in the form of paraphrase or direct quote.

4. What comes out of the funnel should conclude the

topic of that paragraph and lead into the next.

3. Analyze your evidence to narrow your topic even more. How does this evidence relate

to your main idea?

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What It Looks Like: The Rough Draft

Rough Draft of Lincoln Paper (excerpt)

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When I write a paper, I…A.Never share my work with anyone else.B.Usually have a friend, family member, or peer

review my draft.C. Sometimes make an appointment with the

Writing Center.D. Always have multiple people look over my

writing.

Poll: From Rough to Final Draft

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Sharing Your Work

One of the best ways to grow as a writer is to share your work with others.

Some options:• Form a peer writing group• Partner with a fellow student in your course and

exchange papers• Connect with students on the Writing Center’s

eCampus discussion board or Facebook page

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Sharing Your Work

Make an appointment with a writing tutor and upload your paper.• Read the instructions in our Tutoring Guide:

http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/Tutoring.htm • Know what to expect

Our goal is to help you become a better writer by pointing out patterns and offering suggestions for revision. Therefore, we– comment on cohesion and flow, voice and grammar, and

APA citations.– do not offer line-by-line proofreading or editing– cannot comment on content (because we are writing

experts and not necessarily experts in your subject area)

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What It Looks Like: Sharing Your Work

Tutor Comments on Rough Draft

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Writing the Final Draft

Revising based on others’ comments• Spend time away from the document; return when you are

refreshed• Do not get overwhelmed• Where to begin? Try starting with the big stuff. Did the

tutor or friend mention gaps in your ideas, confusing organization, or a missing introduction/conclusion?

• Once you have revised for ideas, organization, and introduction/conclusion, look at the sentence-level comments.

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Writing the Final Draft

Revising on your own• Determine overall readability: Does it make

sense?• Check organization of paragraphs: Do they follow

the MEAL plan?• Read aloud for flow: Is there a logical thread from

sentence to sentence? Is there repetition of wording or sentence structure?

• Proofread

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What It Looks Like: Writing the Final Draft

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What It Looks Like: Writing the Final DraftFinal Draft of Lincoln Paper (excerpt)

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Reflecting on Your Writing

Writing is a process and not a single event. Therefore, think beyond the one paper in front of you. What did you do effectively? What would you like to improve? Jot notes for that next paper.

Possible areas of reflection:• Managing time wisely• Researching and using sources• Reading those sources critically• Organizing information• Writing complete and grammatically correct sentences

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What It Looks Like: Reflecting on Your Writing

Student’s sticky notes reflecting on the paper and his writing process

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Then What?

The process begins again (with the next paper).

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References

Golden Rule. (2011). In Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goldenrule

Guelzo, A. (2004). Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Hofstadter, R. (1948). The American political tradition and the men who made it. New York, NY: Knopf.

Lincoln, A. (1894). Abraham Lincoln: Complete works, comprising his speeches, letters, state papers, and miscellaneous writings. New York, NY: Century Co.

Miller, W. L. (2008). The exacting legacy of a virtuous president. In P. S. Paludin (Ed.), Lincoln’s legacy (p. 28). Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press.

Rockler, M. (2007). Presidential decision-making: Utilitarianism vs. duty ethics. Philosophy Now. Retrieved from http://www.philosophynow.org/

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