Blog Post #3 - Exploring Topics...

I am most interested on the items discussed on pages 261, 262, and 263. They revolve around how a writer chooses a topic based on the research they do. The items listed include: preliminary reading online, talking to people, making a list, freewriting, and constructing a mind map. Out of these helpful steps, I focus more on talking to people, making lists, and freewriting. I find that one of the best ways to get inspiration is by running ideas by people I trust. My mom is usually a very honest, but gentle critic. She will tell me if an idea is off base, but will give suggestions as to how I can fix my errors and get back on track. Making lists is crucial in my writing process. Before I can start ANY draft I have to have an idea of what I want to write on. I begin by listing out my big picture for the paper. Then, I get into the details. I go into depth with my list of what I want to focus on in each paragraph. My high school English teacher engrained in me the importance of creating an initial thesis statement. Another activity that I particularly enjoy is freewriting. It helps me to write mindlessly and honestly. I can use that to look back on at a later date to motivate myself to get the words flowing. Those are the three ways I can usually get my rough drafts started with.