Complete Table of Contents

The Discovering Ideas Handbook

Complete Table of Contents

1. Writing an Essay

1.1 What Is an Essay?

1.2 How to Get Started

1.2.1 Read and write about your topic and discuss it with others.

1.2.2 Read for discovery.

1.2.3 Decide who your intended audience is.

1.3 Choosing a Topic

1.3.1 Use the ideas in the reading or discussions as a starting place in thinking about your topic, not a stopping place.

1.3.2 If you "don't have any ideas" after reading and participating in class discussions, try the basic technique.

1.3.3 If you’re still stuck, or often stuck, and the basic technique doesn’t work for you, do something else.

1.3.4 Choose a default topic within the first three days, and don't change it unless you think of a clearly superior topic.

1.3.5 Narrow your original topic down quickly.

1.3.6 As you refine your topic, think about why it is true and how you know it is true.

1.4 The Thesis Statement

1.4.1 What Is a Thesis Statement?

            1.4.1.1    A single sentence.
            1.4.1.2    A declarative sentence.
            1.4.1.3    States what you want your readers to know, believe, or understand.
            1.4.1.4    After having read your essay.

1.4.2 Why Write a Thesis Statement?

            1.4.2.1    Why do you need to develop a thesis statement when you write an essay?
            1.4.2.2    What's the value of writing out your thesis statement on a piece of paper?
            1.4.2.3    Seeing the relationship between your thesis statement and your essay.

1.4.3 How to Write a Thesis Statement

                1.4.3.1    Ask and answer the questions "why?" and "how?" of your trial thesis statement.
                1.4.3.2    Make your thesis statement a positive statement, not a negative one.
                1.4.3.3    Use the active voice in every clause in your thesis statement.

1.4.4 Content of Your Thesis Statement

                1.4.4.1    Make it clear.
                1.4.4.2    Make it precise and limited.
                1.4.4.3    Make it controversial or informative.
                1.4.4.4     Make it defensible.

1.5 Writing a First Draft

1.5.1 Write your first draft as rapidly as you can.

1.5.2 When writing your first draft, don't worry about your introduction.

1.5.3 When writing your first draft, bracket those sections you can't write yet and try to finish a draft of the whole essay.

1.5.4 Rewrite your thesis statement whenever you can make it a better guide for writing and revising your essay.

1.5.5 Write your first draft in the way that is easiest and most comfortable for you.

2. Developing and Revising an Essay

2.1 Read Your Essay Aloud and Make Notes

2.2 Look at the Essay through a Reader's Eyes

2.3 Structure the Essay

2.3.1 Reflect on the relationship of your thesis statement and your draft.

2.3.2 Look at the way the main parts of the body are connected.