The Disclaimer: The thing about the writing process is there are lots of different ones. In this program I suggest some ways other writers have found helpful, but don't be afraid to work on your own approach to writing. You are, after all, the author.
The (Delicious) Drafting Page:
(For discussions about specific essay forms and how to do them, please see Essay Forms.
The first draft you do may be as the "exploratory draft" described on the Prewriting page.
Or it may be a horrendously messy freewrite which is just another way to do an exploratory.
However you approach it, the first draft is not where you worry about penmanship or spelling or punctuation or even having a pretty good essay.
It is important that you get yourself in a relaxed mood.
Give yourself permission to make lots of mistakes.
Begin the writing and try to allow the writing to go where it wants to.
Sometimes you'll have changed your mind entirely about your topic by the time you finish.
That's OK!
That's what early drafts are for! Gathering ideas.
If you write this draft wanting it to be the "handing in" draft you will get lower grades, fail personal hygiene tests and live a shorter more miserable life.
But seriously, folks, if you can accept the value of doing a messy and rough first draft, your writing will improve.
Your writing will improve two ways:
- You'll have more ideas to work with.
- You will learn to value the revision process.
Revision: Your second draft begins the revision process. You may continue revising through several drafts before you feel ready to hand in the work. Revision tends to be the stage where the actual craft of writing begins.
Revision does not mean correcting spelling, punctuation or grammar.
Revision means, literally, a "new vision." A new, and hopefully improved, way to express your thoughts.
When you revise you give yourself a chance to step back, decide on what exactly you are trying to say, and make whatever changes will help.
At the revision stage you focus on the clarity of your writing.
Having someone look over your early drafts can be very helpful.
Teachers, wives, husbands, classmates, lovers, haters are all good sources.
I got lucky with help doing this program: A friend who is both a fiction and non fiction writer herself has been working with me during the drafting/revision of this program.
Computer programs are generally all in a state of revision, and knowing that has made this project a great deal less stressful; I know I will always be able to tweak and edit and change around whatever needs work.
Doing a paper for a course may not be that open ended. Get help!
Here are some hints about giving and getting help revising:
Be sure your helper is familiar with your assignment.
Make clear to the helper what you specifically want to know by asking questions:
- What do you like about the writing? What parts work well?
- What would you like to know more about?
- What parts are unclear?
- Where should I add examples?
- What seems to be the thesis (point) of the writing?
Different drafts require different responses:
- early drafts need help in making the writing more clear
- the draft just before your "Deadline Draft" needs help in fixing editing problems--spelling, punctuation, appropriate grammar. (see [Editing Page].
And finally, ultimately it all comes back to you.
This is your writing!
Listen to the comments about your writing, but remember that you are the author, you decide what changes to make and not make.
The responses of your helper should give you some ideas, but keep ownership.
I'm sitting here, listening to the Kronos Quartet play the great Thelonious Monk song, "'Round Midnight."
I feel good. Loose.
The writing is coming freely.
I am alone. Totally alone.
Even if there were a crowd here, writing is something we do by ourselves.
Even when we collaborate, we, ourselves, must make the decisions. Here are some "alone hints" for you and for me.
- If you can, put some time between the first draft and the next revision. As many days as you can! This will give you a fresh vision for your re-vision.
- Reading your work aloud is a good way to become aware of places you need to change. If you really hate reading your work aloud in front of people, lock yourself in the bathroom, run the bath water and flush the toilet to drown out the sound of your voice and have at it. If you can waterproof your paper, try reading aloud in the shower. Hmmm...maybe not.
- If you feel stuck in mid-draft, try freewriting. Write about your project, how you feel about it, and what you think you need to change. Another way to do this is to write a dialogue between yourself and the writing; allow the writing to tell you what it needs--strangely, this often works.
- I'm one of those people who, when asked for an outline, write the paper first and then the outline. This can be a helpful thing to do when working alone: After writing your first draft, outline it. Are you satisfied that the right parts are in the right place? Any stuff that doesn't belong?
There comes a time when you will have to stop revising and let go of the work. Not a "final" draft, but a "deadline" draft. Good luck.
To return to Step Two, please click: Step Two
