Section 003
(Getting Started)

Read about the topic in books, magazines, etc.
Do research on the Internet
Talk to friends
Relax--breathe deeply, listen to music
Get your thoughts in order
Don’t hurry
Be confident--you can do it--use mind control
Find the best environment--maybe a quiet, solitary place with music, coffee, cigarettes, and your favorite tools for writing
Write your ideas in order
Write everything that comes to your mind about your topic--later group, circle, and number related ideas
Type
Maybe use your own language to gather your ideas

(Revising the draft)

Write a draft
Use your own language for words or ideas you can't easily express in English--translate these later
Write the draft in your favorite order--introduction, body, conclusion, or body, introduction, conclusion, or ??
Go to the Writing enter
Read the draft
Look for missing parts in the essay
When you get stuck, keep away from the essay--socialize, eat chocolate, talk about the essay,
Consider a logical order
Look for topic sentences
Organize paragraphs
Fix words--use a dictionary or thesaurus
Type

(Finishing the essay)
Proofread and make corrections
Write the introduction and conclusion
Follow the format your instructor assigns
Type

Section 004
(Getting Started)

Understand/know the target audience
Make an outline
Understand the topic--What do they want me to do?
Talk to your instructor and friends
Brainstorm
Find a comfortable place with good light, a good view, privacy, water, or music
Order your ideas
Think of anything and write it
Get knowledge about the topic--read, talk, watch movies
Read your notes
Write the essay

(Writing the essay)
Write in your favorite order:  introduction, body, conclusion, or body, introduction, conclusion, or introduction, conclusion, body, or??
Have someone read your essay
Write your thesis statement
If you get stuck, stop for awhile, do something physical:  talk, nap, exercise, eat, check your email, play a computer game
Write in your diary about your problems with your essay
Read about how to write an essay in a good handbook
Revise

(Finishing the essay)

Type
Proofread:  read and correct errors
Use computer tools
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms
Check your grammar
 

Return to Cultural Discovery Unit