How To Begin To Write

How to Begin to Write
The Online Writing Lab (OWL)

at Roane State Community College
How to Begin to Write: Organization, Introductions, Conclusions

The following guidelines are designed to help students prepare essays for composition and literature classes. They should not be viewed as the only way to set up and write a paper, but as a reliable starting point, especially for students who have trouble organizing their thoughts.
Why Create An Outline?

One of the most common problems students face when writing a paper is the organization. When asked to write, many students simply begin by writing a rough draft. They often rewrite that rough draft several times before they copy it neatly in the required format to turn in. This method is problematic. Not only does it take considerably longer to write an essay this way, but the organization is frequently flawed because the student has only a vague idea at the outset of where he or she is going. Additionally, this method may cause students to lose
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many good ideas that oacur to them while they are writing because they simply don't remember them later in the writing process. By practicing the jotting down of ideas on an outline and continuing to use the outline during the writing of the rough draft (by referring back to it and by adding to it), students can avoid this problem and significantly improve their writing speed and organization. Writing a rough draft first also doesn't help when students must write under pressure (when they simply don't have time vo write a rough draft), and college-level and employment writing is often done under such pressure. Yet many students view creating an outline to be a monumental waste of time or "busy work" created by an instructor. This is often because, historically, students have been taught to create a formal outline complete with roman numerals and perfect topic sentences an outline which seems to sometimes pay more attention to its own format rather than as a helping device to organize thinking. The Writing Center has a very relaxed view of outlining. We recommend that the student take one sheet of paper, and using a pencil, divide the paper into three sections. On the left side of the paper, write the words, "Introduction," "Body," and "Conclusion," leaving ample space between each section. On the right top side of the paper, write "who," "what," "when," "where," "why," and "how." On the right middle of the paper, write the word "Brainstorming." The writer will eventually plug in the information from the two sections on the right into the section on the left. Using this method, described in detail below, it is not important to have a perfect outline. The outline is crucially important in that it saves the writer time and perfects organization, but it is only a tool to an end a finished essay which is well-organized, coherent, and thorough.
How to Write an Outline

Before you write a paper, always spend 15 to 30 minutes creating an outline first. The outline will help keep your paper organized and focused and cut down on the number of rough drafts you generate. Use the following steps to construct your outline: Brainstorming Once you have decided on a subject, brainstorm your ideas by writing down any facts, thoughts, insights you have in the brainstorming section of your outline (see above). For example in a paper comparing Robert Frost's poems "Birches" and "Acquainted With the Night," brainstorming might look something like this: "Birches" light hopeful tone adult responsibility/playful warmth "Acquainted With the Night" dark pensive, somber, aloof tone loneliness and disconnection lack of warmth
Of course, the above is only a sample. Actual brainstorming would include many more entries, even quotations from the two poems, or words or rhythm features the poems have in common. In order to get started brainstorming, ask yourself questions. How does the topic affect you or others? Is it related to something you have learned in class or life? The answers to your questions will often result in brainstorming ideas, whether you are writing about literature or your own life. One of the tricks to effective brainstorming is to really logically think about the topic, considering as much as possible about it. If you're having trouble generating ideas, ask someone else to discuss the topic
with you and ask you questions. Or check out A Brief Guide to Writing Descriptive Essays for a simple example of how to brainstorm. Begin organizing your introductory paragraph Answer the following questions: "Who," "What," "When," "Where," "Why," and "How". You may find that some of the questions don't always apply. For example, in the Frost paper the responses would be as follows: Who What When Where Why How Robert Frost The poems, "Birches" and "Acquainted With the Night" Does not apply Does not apply Same poet can portray both the lighter and darker sides of life Through tone of the poetry using setting, imagery, and structure
Organize your introductory paragraph by listing points to be made in each sentence. Always begin with the most general, gradually getting more and more specific, until you make your very specific thesis statement. NOTE: The actual thesis statement should be written on the outline. For example: Sentence 1 Sentence 2 general statement about dealing with emotional issues sentence about a poet dealing with emotional issues
Sentence 3 Sentence 4 Sentence 5
sentence about Frost as a poet without mentioning his name identify Frost Thesis Statement--The difference in the tone of his poems "Birches" and "Acquainted With the Night" reveals a poet equally adept at portraying both the lighter and darker sides in life through his use of setting, imagery and structure.
Organize the body of your paper Using your thesis statement, list categories for the paragraphs in the body of your paper. In the example above, categories for each of the poems would include: TONE, SETTING, IMAGERY, STRUCTURE. Your outline should note content of topic sentences for each paragraph introducing one of these categories. For example: Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Tone of "Acquainted" is pensive and somber. Tone of "Birches" is uplifting and hopeful. Setting of "Acquainted" is night in the city. Setting of "Birches" is nature and the country.
Continue doing the same for imagery and structure. Plan your conclusion The conclusion reverses the order of the introduction, moving from a paraphrase of your thesis statement to more general statements summing up the points made in your paper. For example:
Sentence 1
Through Frost's use of setting, imagery and structure, both poems establish the pitch and timber of life's emotional ups and downs. Sum up the points made about "Birches." Sum up the points made about "Acquainted with the Night." Draw a conclusion that makes a point.
Sentence 2 Sentence 3 Sentence 4
Remember, writing a paper is a process. The first step in this process should always be to develop a thorough outline and follow it. You can change it as time allows, but get your organization and direction down by actively thinking about your topic with pencil in hand first! Refer to your thesis over and over to make sure you stay on the topic.
How to Write an Introduction

An introduction should generally be four to five sentences long. Begin your introduction with a general statement, and with each sentence that follows get more and more specific until you get to the last sentence, which is a clearly stated thesis. This thesis states the point of your paper. The thesis should be like an umbrella which spans your essay, including all major points found in the essay. After you have brainstormed your topic, answer the following questions: "Who," "What," "When," "Where," "Why," and "How." Although it is not always necessary or possible to answer all of these, you should be able to answer some of them, and the questions not only give you a starting point, but provide your reader the needed background to put your essay into context.
The following example demonstrates the process of writing an introductory paragraph. In a paper comparing two poems by Robert Frost, the questions would be answered as follows: Who What When Where Why How Robert Frost The poems, "Birches" and "Acquainted With the Night" Does not apply Does not apply Same poet can portray both the lighter and darker sides of life Through tone of the poetry using setting, imagery, and structure
In the above example the introductory paragraph might be written as follows: General sentence Less general sentence Dealing with emotional issues can be both complicated and perplexing. Now and then, a poet is willing to expose two very distinct facets of his or her emotional nature. Such a poet is courageous enough to look back on sadder times, as well as to recollect a fond memory--a writer honest enough to know that life includes both the swing of birches and the darker moments of the soul. Robert Frost is such a poet.
Even less general (more specific)
Even more specific
Specific thesis sentence
The difference in the tone of his poems "Birches" and "Acquainted With the Night" reveals a poet equally adept at portraying both the lighter and darker sides in life through his use of setting, imagery and structure.
The first statement does not come directly from the answers to the question but deals with the material involved, which suggests the subject of emotional issues. The next two statements refrain from talking about the specific person, but let the reader know that we are talking about a poet dealing with emotional issues. The third sentence introduces the poet, and once the poet is introduced, the writer is ready or the thesis statement. The thesis statement lists three topics for discussion. As you write the body of your paper, follow these topics in the order listed in the thesis statement.
How to Write a Conclusion

In the conclusion, reverse the order of what you have written in the introduction. Instead of moving from general to specific statements, start by paraphrasing your thesis statement and summing up what you have said in your paper, allowing your statements to become more and more general. For example, look at the sample introduction written in How to Write an Introduction, and notice how it parallels the sample conclusion below:
Paraphrase of thesis
Through Frost's use of setting, imagery and structure, both poems establish the pitch and timbre of life's emotional ups and down. In "Birches," the poet's tone brings his readers into a deep and abiding relationship with the world around them. His voice proclaims the hope of joys which, once remembered, can never be lost. In "Acquainted With the Night," Frost's tone moves his audience to a place where darkness and solitude prevail. In this poem, his voice creates a mood of sorrow surrounding possibilities which, once lost, can never be regained. "Birches" and "Acquainted with the Night" move the reader through experiences of hope and doubt, solitude and relationship. Robert Frost, a poet of courage and wisdom, evokes in his reader the understanding that emotions, be they sorrowful or joyful, are an intrinsic part of being human.
Sum up "Birches"
Sum up "Acquainted with the Night"
More general
Concluding sentence
Note: In the paraphrase of the thesis statement, the essential elements are restated in the same order. Next, we sum up what has been said about each of the poems, then we make a general statement about both of the poems. Finally, the concluding statement sums up what we
would have the reader remember about the poet and his work. Remember, the conclusion should remind the reader of the points that have been made in the paper, and the concluding sentence should grab the attention of not only your teacher but a general audience.
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