What do you all think about this idea? And if you don't like it how do you suggest i start my paper? How are you starting yours?
Monday, October 31, 2011
How to start this paper!
Well i don't know about anyone else in the class, but i am having trouble figuring out how to start this paper. I know what my topic is and have some really good sources but do i start with my story on the topic, or do i jump straight into what research i've done? Is anyone else having trouble starting their papers off in the right direction and feeling good about where they've started? I am going to introduce my topic and give a slight background on it and how i can relate before i go into my research. This will give the reader some background so i don't just jump right into the research part of the paper.
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I say you make it interesting by starting it with the story. Like think about it, who cares about facts. Stories and experiences are surely more interesting. You will grab the reader in from the very beginning by sinking them into your story. Unless, your topic is really cool and has some really frisking awesome unbelievable facts, then i suggest story story story! I am starting mine with a story and incorporating research through out it.
ReplyDeleteI am just writing about what I can. Since it's the first draft, I am writing just the basic layout of the essay, not the actual essay itself. From there, I am going to edit as much as I can and incorporate the research I have done. I am writing a story for the beginning and explaining about my topic, which is my major. Maybe you should try doing that to give yourself a start on this next "paper packet."
ReplyDeleteI'm having a really hard time starting this paper too. I don't even want to think about it right now. Ms. Ahmed said that she wanted the paper to be predominantly about us so I think you should start your paper off as a story. Incorporate your information into your story somehow. Write down whatever comes to your mind for this draft. It doesn't have to be your greatest work just get the basic points you want to make down. Then go back and edit.
ReplyDeleteI am just writing a really rough draft. I probably will start with a story and throughout incorporate research into the story. I have a good idea what my paper is about and it will be a very basic paper most likely on the first draft. Throughout the paper i will explain my topic with research and show why i want to do my topic. There will be a lot of editing in the 2nd and 3rd draft so don't worry too much about this draft.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm at a loss. I sat in front of my computer for a good half hour today trying to creatively start this paper. It honestly need to be written so you can expand and refine, so you can get away with a terrible first draft. Thats what I always try to do, that way the feedback from you workshop group will give you a jumpstart on how to improve. Even the smallest correction or suggestion can inspire paragraphs. Even the biggest of fires are started by the smallest spark. So don't worry if it sucks, no one expects you to write a masterpiece on your first try.
ReplyDeleteI’m excited for my paper. My idea was to talk about the evolution of hip-hop but its too broad and has lots research. I love researching dance because I have never really done it. I found so many great articles and sources. I have also learned so much about my own passion. I’m so happy that I chose the topic I did. For others, I would advise to just look at your life and what activity do you love doing the most. Then go off that topic. Its SOOOOO much easier to write about something you love. Its almost actually fun. The hard part for me is to not have so much research because I have learned so much cool stuff I just want to put it all in my essay.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so excited for this paper. I have no clue how to make my topic last for 6 pages. It's hard for me to write a long paper even if I really like my topic. I know that I am going to start with the story and then put the research in after that. I like my topic because it gives me a chance to tell people reading my paper about part of my heritage. I want to clear up the misconceptions that people have every time I say what my background is. In a way I am excited for this paper but I'm not sure if I will be able to come up with enough information to make it last 6-8 pages.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely start with the story. If you did wanted to start with a fact then you should make it a fact that sort of sums up what your paper is about, and then work backwards. But, I would recommend starting with the personal aspect first. No only will this draw the readers in, but it is also a great way to introduce new, researched elements. Also when you start with a story you can recall other events that you may wish to use to expand on the subject. I have had a hard time deciding what i wanted my topic to be and after this first draft I may start over with another topic. However, I figured I had to start somewhere so I thought of my past and I think I found my topic. So, basically I think that personal stories are best served first. P.S. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to just start with facts about my topic and then tie in a story. I am not completely sure yet. Or maybe I will start with a description like I normally do. I find that especially with my rough drafts I really have no idea what I am going to do until I sit down and actually write it.
ReplyDeletestarting this paper is the worst out of all the ones so far. I have a clear idea on what I want to do with it, but its so hard to structure without doing research on the subject. I have the introduction down and a few details throughout the main body, but I cant really get into the writing process with nothing to move off of. Its not like I can write a story and then throw in research later; it would seem clunky and wouldnt flow well. Writing this paper is becoing a real pain...
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ReplyDeleteThis paper is extremely difficult in general. What I did was introduce my topic then proceed into the story. I am not too worried though. Most of my first drafts are not the greatest pieces of writing. After my first draft I alter my papers significantly. My goal for first drafts is usually to start off in the right direction. I believe so far I have the right direction but I look forward to the workshops for advice.
ReplyDeleteI had a very tough time starting of my paper, so I solved the problem by not starting it off. Yes I did write a paper, I’m not blowing the assignment off or anything I just chose to do it in a bit of a weird way. I pretty much knew all the pieces I needed to write for my paper so I just wrote each piece. Now what I need to do is put all the sections in order and transition one section to the next. I didn’t know how to write an introduction, so I just jumped straight into the body. Then when I was comfortable with the body I had written it made writing a solid into 1000 times easier!
ReplyDeleteStarting this paper was so hard for me! I literally sat and stared at my name for about an hour just thinking of ways I could start it. It was pretty annoying. But yeah I started my essay with a story first just to give the reader background information and to let them know where I'm coming from. I don't think starting off with facts is a really good idea unless it's super interesting and you absolutely have to! For this essay I really don't know how I'm gonna write 6 pages...I can barely get to 4. I'm also worried I'm not writing about the right thing but this topic is so open ended, I don't think anyone could be wrong. I'm really looking forward to workshop groups because my 1st draft is definitely gonna be a shitty one.
ReplyDeleteI started mine now! Should have a page and a half by tomorrow! LOL This is terriblee!!
ReplyDeleteI started mine with a personal story and experience I had. Then through out my paper I am going to relate my story and back it up using my research that I come up with. I like your idea though, it is definitely something you could work with. Just make sure you set a good basis for your paper in your introduction and you should be just fine.
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you. I know everything I am going to write about but trying to make it interesting is a different story. It's so much harder writing a paper when you are given so much freedom. On the one hand it is a good thing because you can really do just about anything with this paper. On the other hand if you don't know where you want to go with the paper it could be a disaster.
ReplyDeleteThis paper is definitely more of a challenge to start than the other papers. I had a really difficult time deciding how to start mine as well. After a little while of staring at the blank document, I just decided to kind of jump in. I started off by telling my story and slowly transitioning into a place where in my next draft I could incorporate my research. My story was laid out sort of like a time line where i showed my evolving passion for what I hope to find a career in one day. I need to expand a lot more for my second draft by using my research and more ideas on traveling destinations.
ReplyDeleteI think a good way to begin is by telling a story, try to get the reader interested and as the story carries on add bits and pieces of research info. If you start relating the research to your personal story the reader will not only maintain focused but will learn a variety of different important facts that will help your story make sense!..hope everyone got through their first draft:)
ReplyDeleteI am as confused as you are. This paper seems really difficult to start. I just introduced my topic and explained it as best as i could. I know I will completely change my paper once I figure out how to write it. I always do that. My first draft always sucks haha.
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