Guide to Writing draft #1

“What the hell am I supposed to write about!?” More often than not, I think it’s safe to say that most student writers ask themselves this when they first get a writing assignment. Even for this very one I am doing now, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to write about. A “guide to writing” coming from a person who already has enough difficulty guiding themselves as they write doesn’t exactly seem like the best place to get advice. However, I was told long ago that once you are able to teach a subject, and have it make sense to the learner, then that is when you know you understand that particular subject. So, here goes nothing. This will forever (or at least for now) be my attempt to show some of the things I’ve learned and benefited from with regards to writing, be it for school or for anything else.

There are definitely some things that I would have loved to have had available to me growing up and having to write, what feels like, endless amounts of writing assignments. For starters, start writing something, anything, just get ideas down on the paper so you have something to work with. You never know when an idea or a word may trigger something in your brain that inspires you to write something that could be profound. Although, I’ve also learned that it is very important to not limit your self with regards to what you are going to write. Part of starting and writing and anything is the willingness to not put limits on your ideas. Don't say "no" to your self when you get an idea. The more you write down, the more you have to look back on and possibly use in a different part of your writing. I cannot stress this part enough, but perhaps that’s just because I find that pleasing my self is the most difficult thing to do. Some times, though, you have to just commit with what you have and continue on.

Another very helpful tip is time management. Everyone procrastinates, especially college students, some people just pull it off better than others. Regardless, no one genuinely likes to work under pressure so give your self ample time to work on your ideas. For example, have you ever had the opportunity to say something clever and witty to someone? More often than not, this happens as a response, or a retort, to what someone else has just said to you. In that type of situation, you’re put on the spot and most likely say something jumbled and foolish, right? Then, minutes, hours, days, etc. later you think of something perfect to say but obviously can’t because it’s too late. Well, that stupid thing you tried to articulate (or didn’t, since you couldn’t think of something quick enough) is much like your first draft. It’s crappy, and you probably feel generally bummed because the other person is realizing you aren’t as smart as you look. However, had you been given ample time to gather your ideas and think of that witty thing to say, then you would have won the argument, or got the girl’s number, or made someone smile. Whatever the situation was, the extra time is what was needed, and so the same goes for writing assignments, you can only benefit from the extra time you work on a paper.

Engage in a conversation within the writing. Use the “They Say/I Say” method to make your writing more of an interesting read.

Tell a story. People always remember stories better than facts.

Try and make it your own so that you can sound interested/enthusiastic about the topic.

Have other people read it so that your ideas make sense, if needed, simplify/explain your ideas.

Keep your audience in mind while writing.



...further expansion on those last five or so topics as well as throwing in more examples still needs to be done.