1. last revision 2/2013
2. 1. Think about your topic
2.1. What will you enjoy writing about?
2.2. Why will someone who reads this be interested?
2.3. What's your goal for this paper?
2.3.1. Persuasion?
2.3.1.1. work related/job application
2.3.1.2. opinion piece for blog or newspaper
2.3.1.3. sales pitch
2.3.2. Exposition?
2.3.2.1. work proceedures
2.3.2.2. written instructions
2.3.2.3. explaining something to someone
2.3.2.3.1. work memo
2.3.2.3.2. incident reports
2.3.2.3.3. letter to friend
2.3.3. Reflection?
2.3.3.1. blog
2.3.3.2. letters
2.3.3.3. work self-evaluations
2.3.3.4. evaluation of concepts, theories, relative to usfullness
2.3.4. Analysis?
2.3.4.1. weighing pros & cons
2.3.4.2. determining cause and effect
2.3.4.3. evaluating validity of information
2.3.4.4. judging relevance of information
3. 2. Research
3.1. Compile some ideas
3.2. Supporting sources
3.2.1. Find examples
3.2.2. Find relevant quotes
3.2.3. References
3.2.3.1. Books
3.2.3.2. News sources
3.2.3.3. Blogs
3.2.3.4. Supporting Data
3.2.3.4.1. Expert reports
3.2.3.4.2. Third party research
3.2.3.4.3. Survey data
4. 3. Structure
4.1. Decide on your topic focus
4.1.1. Create Thesis Statement
4.1.1.1. topic
4.1.1.2. +
4.1.1.3. opinion
4.2. Create list of facts
4.3. Organize facts into categories
4.3.1. Concept map
4.4. organize categories
4.4.1. Introduction
4.4.1.1. intro sentence (hook)
4.4.1.2. background info
4.4.1.3. Thesis
4.4.2. outline
4.4.2.1. major detail for category
4.4.2.2. supporting details for major detail
4.4.2.3. supporting details for major detail
4.4.2.4. supporting details for major detail
4.4.3. outline
4.4.3.1. major detail for category
4.4.3.2. supporting details for major detail
4.4.3.3. supporting details for major detail
4.4.3.4. supporting details for major detail
4.4.4. outline
4.4.4.1. major detail for category
4.4.4.2. supporting details for major detail
4.4.4.3. supporting details for major detail
4.4.4.4. supporting details for major detail
4.4.5. Conclusion - summarizes what is most important and interesting about your topic?
4.4.5.1. Restate major points
4.4.5.2. Restate Thesis
4.4.5.3. Catchy ending sentence
5. 4. Write and Edit
5.1. Don't be afraid to edit. Writing simple, memorable information is hard and requires filtering.
5.1.1. Spelling
5.1.2. Punctuation at end of sentences, Quotation Marks,Capitalization
5.1.2.1. Fragments?
5.1.2.2. Run-ons?
5.1.3. Comma, Colon, Semi-colon use
5.1.3.1. Comma Splices?
5.1.4. Subject/Verb agreement
5.1.5. Pronoun Agreement
5.1.6. Clear meaning
5.1.6.1. missing words?
5.1.6.2. ideas introduced well?
5.1.6.3. sources introduced well?
5.1.6.4. word choice makes the reader easily understand what you are trying to say