Starting to Write
Ways to start your writing
Make an outline
A detailed outline that includes evidence, examples, and stages of your argument will let you reorganize your thoughts on the fly, and will make writing a process of simply bringing all of your hard work together in a nice package. You can sketch a simple outline of an introduction and/or thesis statement, evidence by section, and conclusion. Consider what happens if you move certain sections around - what order flows best? You’ll likely see your paper more clearly after you do this exercise.
Fit and Order
Ask yourself whether each section fits in with the larger paper. The world (ancient and modern) is full of interesting things, but your job as writer is to choose only those that have a bearing on your argument. You might be sad to leave something behind, but sometimes you must.
Consider your Paragraph Structure
Each paragraph should develop one idea. If you get to the end of a paragraph and aren’t sure what the point was or whether there was one, read it over and rework it until your paragraph is doing something.
Write to learn!
At some point in your research process, you may have to just start writing. Don’t worry if you don’t think everything is quite ready yet; that’s what editing is for. It does no good to anyone to keep everything in your head.
Matters of style
The best way to develop as a writer is through practice, and the more you write the more you will feel that your writing says what you want it to say. While style is an individual matter, the following suggestions are generally applicable and share a common purpose: to make your writing clear and effective.
Diction and Syntax
Big words are great if you need them, but shouldn’t be used for their own sake. Short sentences are powerful. Longer sentences have their place too, but remember that your reader has to make it all the way through without losing the thread. Search your mind and/or the dictionary to find the word you really want to use. Try to avoid ‘fuzzy’ words that approximate an idea without actually finding it.
Guiding your reader
- Direct quotation is best used for relaying others’ opinions and interpretations. You don’t need to cite common-knowledge facts, and you can paraphrase someone else’s argument without quoting it as long as you cite appropriately.
- Imagine your reader as well-educated but inexpert. They will have some background, but won’t know all the details. Your writing should give them what they need to follow your argument.
- Don’t be afraid to tell your readers what you’re doing. For example, you can write sentences like: “Comparing these two passages makes clear that Cicero focuses more than other authors on the issue of...”
- In general, frame your argument for your reader. Tell or remind them of how a section contributes to your thesis. ‘Signpost’ (i.e., indicate in your writing) how sections and paragraphs relate to each other.
Edit your work
- Reading out loud is a great way to catch clunky phrases or mistakes that your eyes skim over.
- If you can, put your draft aside for a day or two then return to it. It’s easier to see the big picture when your mind isn’t full of all the minutiae.
- Number your pages for ease of reference.
- Check your spellling and grammar, witht he use of tools like spell check and grammarly!
