Feb
20
My Writing Process (Paper One)
Filed Under Final Papers
Entertain This
I am a huge fan of pressure. The pressure that comes from procrastination works miracles for me. Of course, I have to wait until the last minute to write this paper but I have two really good reasons why. The first of these reasons is that I don’t work well without a little pressure and I work best with a lot of pressure. I would argue that I could take coal and under the right amount of pressure make a diamond. (I mean this metaphorically with my writing assignments.) Most of my professors and some of the English major colleagues would argue against that statement but who cares? The second reason I put things off is due the fact that I usually forget to do them. Or at least one of them. I am working on writing things down but I am not making any promises. So steming from all the “almost missed assignments” and my years of perfecting my writing process I have decided to share my wisdom with you. This is my instructional “how to” write an amazing paper under pressure and still get a C. Hopefully get a C.
To begin I usually sit down and get comfortable. Your work environment is something to think about. Sit and write where you are comfortable. I write in my room or the library. Wherever you feel most creative, that should be your “homebase.” One thing I have to do when writing is listen to music. It is very important for me to have some music in my ears to help block out noise and distractions. Something pop, techno, or rap are the best for me. But I also like 80’s, classical, alternative, rock, and the occasional country song. Whatever you like, put on a playlist and label it “The Write Sound.” (Hey, that’s a good idea, I should take my own advice and do that.) Also, wear comfortable clothes, like sweats or jeans. Or wear nothing, if writing in naked makes you feel comfortable. Khakis and suits make people feel too serious and that can affect your creativity and exploration when writing.
Now that you are comfortable, its time to start the paper. The introduction I tend to leave for after the bodies have been written. For my body paragraphs I try to fill the space with insightful, clever anecdotes and information that I find important for the reader to know. But with my writing I tend to be lacking in the department of “academic support” so I try and use humor and personal anecdotes to off set that. I think that humor creates a “witty dialogue” flow in my papers, which is more interesting than the “fact after fact” boredom that is common with other writers. (For an example of this see a science book.) I know that sounds harsh, but the truth hurts. I want others to be entertained. When I write I feel like Russell Crowe from Gladiator when he screams at the Roman spectators, “are you not entertained?” I want my writing to be youthful and energetic. I want my papers to have a bounce in their step. I know that sometimes it can be overwhelming (like this one) but in other cases it is desperately needed. Also, I rely on my humor to overpower the fact that my papers tend to lack substantial information. So like a good magician I use misdirection to fool my readers into thinking that I have a better paper then it actually is.
One problem that my writing process my cause is that sometimes I find myself writing what I think is really great work and then I turn it in. I was thinking that I nailed the assignment but when it is returned I am not smiling. When I get it back and I get a D minus I am puzzled. I check the requirements and I realize that I forgot a huge portion of the assignment, such as making it connect with what we discussed about in class or how this particular thing affects the rest of the world. One way to overcome that fear (and avoid a lower grade) is to write the paper with the assignment requirements next to you so that you can check and make sure that you have everything you need in your paper. Just make sure you catch those mistakes before you turn it in for a final project.
To finish it all up I try to bring it all in and tie up the loose strings. I know that teachers in grade school said that the conclusion paragraph should retell the introduction and I take that advice to heart. I try and sum up what I have been discussing and send my readers off feeling fulfilled and wiser. But who really reads to the end on my work anyway? Not may people I can assure you. But that shouldn’t discourage you from doing what is expected. Sum up the main points of your body paragraphs and be done with it. But remember to finish strong. And don’t forget to write the intro. I like to open with a joke or interesting hook, summarize my bodies and then begin. And that concludes my tutorial on my writing process. I hope you have learned from this paper on how I write the way I write. Even though I may have done the assignment wrong, were you not entertained?