From the First to Last Draft

By Samantha Schwartz, Mirka Ivanovic, & Rose Elias

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. Pre-writing

III. Writing

IV. Revising & proofreading

V. Final Steps

Writing: Your paper under construction

Construction graphic?

Moving from outline to paper

Before you begin: Remember—It’s a first draft. It’s ok to ignore formatting

and spelling for now. However, don’t ignore references or citations. They will be

hard to track down later if you ignore them now. Allow time for revision or outside editing, or both.

Look back at your research articles Use your research and your analysis to fill in the gaps in

your outline Put away your articles before you write

Write with the research fresh in your mind, but not in front of you to avoid plagiarism

Possible hang-ups at this stage

Lack of motivation Set a manageable goal for the next few hours

and take a break when you reach itLose direction in the paper

Reread your outline Read what you have written so far out loud

Talk out the topic with a friend or tutor Make an oral argument based on your topic to a

friend. Let them ask questions and make comments

Photo of 2 people talking

Audio of someone consulting someone else for advice on their paper

Paragraph transitions

Read paper aloud If something seems out of place or abrupt, you

need to: 1) move the paragraph elsewhere 2) Include a transition sentence to introduce the

paragraph Cut the paragraph if it is no longer relevant

Flow of your argument

Don’t surprise the reader or leave him/her in the dark

Make your argument explicit; don’t just allude to your point

Avoid vague statementsDon’t start a sentence with “This.” Be explicit

about what you are referencing

Transition Sentences

What do transitions do? Help readers understand how paragraphs work together, and

build to an overall point. Highlight connections between paragraphs. By referencing in

one paragraph the relevant material from previous ones, writers can develop important points for their readers.

Continue one paragraph where another leaves off If this is especially challenging, it’s possible the paragraphs don't

belong together at all. Use key phrases from the previous paragraph and

highlighting them in the next to create an obvious progression for readers.

Examples of transition sentences

Example: Amy Tan became a famous author after her novel, The

Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the bestseller list. There are other things to note about Tan as well. Amy

Tan also participates in the satirical garage band the Rock Bottom Remainders with Stephen King and Dave Barry.

Revision: Amy Tan became a famous author after her novel, The

Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the bestseller list. Though her fiction is well known, her work with the

satirical garage band the Rock Bottom Remainders receives far less publicity.

REPLACE THIS EXAMPLE WITH A PSYCH RELATED ONE??

Starting a new paragraph

Basic rule of thumb for paragraphing: Keep a one idea to one paragraph ratio.

If you transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph.

You can have several points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph.

If the single points start to get long, elaborate on each of them and give them their own paragraphs.

Paragraphs (continued)

Introduce the topic of the paragraph with a topic sentence. Remember to include a transition from the previous paragraph if possible.

Fully discuss the main point of the paragraph Beware of paragraphs that only have two or

three sentences. It's a good bet that the paragraph is not fully developed if it’s that short.

Creating a well-developed paragraph

Analyze and describe the topic Use examples and illustrations Cite data

Facts, statistics, evidence, & details Examine testimony

Use quotes and paraphrases to describe others’ points of view Use an anecdote or story Define terms in the paragraph Compare and contrast views Evaluate causes and reasons Examine effects and consequences

Writing the Conclusion

Avoid simply restating points in the same exact language It’s OK (and necessary!) to rephrase and review

your main points and restate thesis

Avoid introducing new materialDiscuss areas for future researchAddress lingering questions or concerns

Proofreading & Revising

Proofreading Proofreading is primarily about searching your writing

for errors, both grammatical and typographical, before submitting it.

Revising The ongoing process of improving your writing Revising can include reorganizing your paragraphs,

adding needed information, eliminating irrelevant information, and clarifying sections or sentences.

Which do you think is most important to do first: Proofreading or Revising? (scroll over answer)

Answer to scroll over (not an actual slide)

Proofreading: This should be the last thing you do before turning in your paper. You do not want to change content at this time, only clean up spelling, grammar, APA style, etc.

Revising: This is a more involved process for which you should give yourself more time. Revising is critical because it ensures your paper is logical and well-organized. You should finish revising before proofreading.

Revising (It’s not too late)

This is a good time to compare your paper with your professor’s assignment and grading rubric. Ensure your paper meets your prof’s criteria

For example, if they ask for full APA style, make sure you follow it, including a title page and reference page, do you have those?

Double check that your paper is in the acceptable range in terms of length. Do you need to expand or delete? Now is the time.

More Revising

If your paper feels disorganized, making a reverse outline may help. Reverse outlining distills the main ideas into short, clear statements. You can use your reverse outline to make sure your ideas fit together and to identify unrelated or tangential topics.

Reverse Outlining

Reverse outlining follows a two-step process: In the left margin, write the main topic of each

paragraph using as few words as possible. These notes should tell you if the paragraph is focused and clear.

In the right margin, write how the paragraph topic advances the overall argument. Be brief. These notes allow you to follow the logic of the essay, making it easier for you to revise.

Your notes should tell you whether each paragraph fits in the overall organization of your paper, and whether paragraphs need to be reordered to improve the flow.

Proofreading

Take a break! Give yourself some time between writing and proofing. Even a short break will help you get some distance from

what you have written and help you see the paper in a different light.

Slow down! Many errors are made and overlooked by speeding

through writing and proofreading. Always read through your writing slowly.

Read aloud. Reading a paper aloud helps you catch mistakes your

mind would normally gloss over.

Have Nice Day!

Example: Sometimes the mind corrects improper spelling or fills in missing words according to what it expects to see.

Thus, reading aloud forces your mind to slow down and ignore fewer errors in your paper.

(Did you see the error above?)

Proofreading continued

Role-play. While reading, put yourself in your audience's

shoes. Playing the role of the reader encourages you to see the paper as your audience might.

Ask for help. Asking a friend or an Academic Support Center

tutor to read your paper give you another perspective on your writing and will help you catch mistakes you might have overlooked.

Proofreading Practice (What’s wrong here?)

Thoughout history, mankind has wondered at the source of mental illness. This inquiry has taken many forms.the experience of psychosis was previously believed to be related to malevolent spirits taking over one’s mind. In modern times, scientists work to understand the cause and effect of mental illness by conducting large scale, complex experiments. In these experiments, each researchers carefully follows protocol, as he works to insure that each participant understands his/her role in the experiment.

You’re Done!

Congratulations—give yourself a pat on the back, a Swedish massage, what have you. You deserve it. Now take a break and