Throughout this semester, one
of my main goals for this course was to be able to learn
how to effectively create and utilize a detailed outline to
assist with my writing process in order to ensure good
organizational skills. The essay from this semester in
which I was best able to achieve this goal was the research
project. Due to the abundance of sources, as well as the
mere size of the assignment, I knew I would need any
organizational help I could get.
Before I could
begin writing my paper, or even working on an outline for
it, I needed to decide what exactly I wanted to write
about, and how I would approach that topic specifically. To
do this, I created a thesis statement for my essay. I read
and revised my thesis numerous times on my own. I also
looked to some of my peers from my dorm floor to revise my
thesis as well. After establishing an accurate and detailed
thesis summarizing and introducing the content of my essay,
I was ready to research and prewrite.
Throughout the entire writing process for the research
paper, I was focused on the structure of my essay. When I
would find new sources, I would try to automatically
classify the topic of that source, and cite it in my
outline wherever I found it to be most
appropriate. I tried to establish some of my
transitions, and extract the exact quotes or information
I would be using in my essay. By doing this, I was able
to see the progression of my paper before it was even
written. I didn’t have to worry about rearranging
my essay after it had already been written. That was
extremely helpful, as there is nothing I find to be more
difficult than rearranging full paragraphs, while trying
to maintain a rhythmic flow to my paper.
As I wrote my paper, I tried my best to stick to the
outline. If I came up with fresh ideas as I was writing, I
would put them into my outline first, so that I would know
where they would best fit inside my paper. By doing this, I
was able to avoid many of the problems I experienced in
some of my earlier writings. By filtering everything
through my outline first, I was able to think of an
intelligent way to convey my information. I would write my
main arguments for each source and thought contained in my
paper, so that I was able to reconstruct them until they
were perfect. In doing this, I created what I like to think
of as the most elaborate and detailed passages that I
have ever written.
By writing these passages in my
outline first, rather than my essay, I was able to avoid
the disorganization that comes with a rush of thoughts,
and focus on the sole goal of establishing thorough
theses and arguments that would have a greater chance of
being fully and accurately conveyed by my audience.