Pre-Writing & Drafting
Now what?
 So... you’ve picked a topic and even written a thesis.
Now what?
 This is where many students get stuck. How do you
convert your thoughts to a well-organized essay?
 The answer: Pre-Writing
Pre-Writing: Brainstorming
 After you know where you are going in your paper, you
need to figure out how to get there.
 Collect your thoughts and ideas, then organize them.
 There are several ways to brainstorm. The most
effective way varies by person.
Brainstorming Strategy #1:
Listing
1. Write down every idea you have.
2. Stuck? Set a timer for 10 minutes.
3. List until timer goes off.
4. Look for patterns of thoughts.
5. Cross out useless or irrelevant material.
6. Group the remaining items in categories.
7. Elaborate.
Brainstorming Strategy #2:
Clustering
1. Start with the middle circle and write your topic.
2. Write down random ideas. Use lines to connect
these ideas.
3. Branch out to other related ideas.
4. See if there is one “cluster” or pattern of ideas and
start from there.
5. This strategy works well with visual learners.
Example of
Clustering
Snake
Murderer
Voldemort
Harry Potter
Villains
Lucius
Malfoy
Wealthy
Wormtail
Loyal?
Rat
Coward
Brainstorming Strategy #3:
Free Writing
1. Write quickly without stopping for 5-10 minutes.
2. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, etc.
JUST WRITE.
3. Can’t think of anything? Write “I can’t think of
anything!”—you will at least be moving your pen.
4. Once you start writing, your prior knowledge of
the topic will be activated. The idea is this: as you
write, the more will come to your mind.
Pre-Writing: Outline
 After brainstorming, gather your notes and begin
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writing an outline.
Outlining is the key to a good paper.
The outline is the skeleton of your paper and provides
the organization.
The outline ensures that your argument actually gets
where you want to go.
The keys to a good outline are detail, organization,
and support.
Style
 When you write in different situations, you use
different styles—when you text, you use different
words, grammar, and phrases than you would in an
academic paper.
 Always remember to analyze your audience and think
about the style of paper you are writing before you
begin. Putting yourself in the right mindset will help
you achieve the appropriate style from the beginning.
“Bad” Words
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I think
I supposed
I guess
I believe
Passive voice
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Bad: “I think that the Bible is the infallible Word of God.”
Good: “The Bible is the infallible Word of God.”
Bad: “I believe that Galatians was written to the Gentiles.”
Good: “Galatians was written to the Gentiles.”
Drafting: Rough Draft
 After you finish your outline, begin your rough draft.
 The rough draft is just that—rough. Don’t be
concerned with producing the perfect copy of your
paper on the first try.
 The main goal is to get your ideas on paper. You can
fix it during the revision process, but the most
important part is that you get started!
Ready, Set, Go!
 Getting started is the hardest part. Don’t let the blank
white page intimidate you. Write something crazy on
the first line if it helps you think of the space as less
scary.
 Make sure your work environment is productive—you
need to be in a quiet, calm area free from distractions!
(Music, Facebook, TVs, and buzzing cell phones do
not generally contribute to a constructive work space)
 TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR EDUCATION. YOU
CAN DO IT!