Getting Started

Writing Center

Find Your Style

•Learn what methods of writing work for you•Write all your thoughts down until you reach a topic• Brainstorm• Concept mapping•Write a focus first and organize•Research to find a focus that interests you

Before you write

•Know what is being asked of you• Read instructions • Know the format

• Choose your topic• Find a topic that interests you within the confines of your

requirements

Focus

•Write your focus statement• This will include your topic and the subtopics in the order you will address them• This should be a clear, concise sentence

•Your reader should be able to tell what the paper will be covering from this sentence

Organization

•Write an outline• It does not have to be a formal outline, but write it down• Keep the subtopics in the same order as the focus statement

•Plug in your research information into the appropriate area into the outline

•Remember to use transitions between each section

Research

•Gather your information• Be sure you have enough information to support your claim• Make sure you fully understand the topic before writing

•Know how many sources your instructor requires for this paper• Only use scholarly sources in formal academic writing• Textbook• Peer-reviewed articles• Websites that end in .gov

• Do not Google your topic – use the library database or Google Scholar