http://www.studygs.net/writing/

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• Note key ideas or words (search terms!) you think will be important

• Identify what you want to do (a persuasive or expository piece ?)

• Analyze your topic so farIs it too vague or broad, or too narrow?Is it interesting enough? Is there a controversy to explore, or do you think you can help others understand a problem?

• Keep an open or critical mind.

• Define your target audience, and how you will address them

• The way we would write an argumentative piece of writing is different from the way we would approach the biography of a person, or describe an event.

• Research phase; information gathering and recording:

• Develop research strategies and a list of resources

• Narrow your topic and its description

• Bring your topic and keyword list

• International conventions of copyright govern the use: proper citing of references of material and information.

• Search engines• Directories and portals on the Internet that

categorize/organize information and links• Web sites devoted to particular topics• Official government documents, forms, laws,

policies, etc.• Services and information by non profit

organizations• LISTSERVs or discussion groups• Resources at a local (public) library• Newspaper, journal, magazine databases.

• It is important to provide key words, meaning, andstructure to your research before you write your firstdraft, and may help you overcome "writers block."

• Focus intellectuallyand clear distractions while opening your mind to ideas within your subject

• Narrow and define topics for your paperand begin the process of translating research into your own words.

• Develop logical or architectural structure to topics you have identified.This provides a visual and verbal document for reaction, review, discussion, and/or further development in your rough draft.

• A rough draft is "a late stage in the writingprocess". It assumes that you have adequateinformation and understanding of the topic.

• It might be useful to start with writing thebody first, then the introduction andconclusion at a later stage.

• After finishing your draft, Take a day or twooff! This break will help you gain a newperspective to your writing.

• Before the revising/editing,take a break to gain a new perspective.It will help you review how effectively you have communicated your message.

General review strategies:• Revising takes practice:

Try reviewing with a limited agenda, for example with focus on vocabulary, and build from there.

• Read the paper out loud to yourself.Read it slowly. How does it "sound?“

Checklist:• Does the text flow in an effective manner?• Is it too long for what you wish to say? too short?• Keep in mind your audience: they only know what you wrote: they

may not understand you adequately: They rely on what information you give them, in the order you give it to them.

• Writing and revising focus on content, message and style; proofreading focuses on "mechanics.“

• It is twice as hard to detect mistakes in your own work as in someone else's: it is advisable to pilot your writing by having someone read it and so you will get a second opinion!

Cultivate a sense of doubt:

• Take nothing for granted: if you know you repeat certain errors, double check for them. Most errors in written work are made unconsciously.

Postscript:

• The above guidelines are just suggestionswhich might help, and can be questionable.

• The most decisive factor in the success of thewriting is the writer himself/herself.