Eng. 101
Omar Addi
January 18, 2015
Chapter 2 Summary
Writing a paper is no small feat. Many people may stress over the structure. Planning is an important step in writing a paper. Without planning, a paper will be disorganized, not have a definitive flow, may lack connecting with our audience and getting your point across. Planning allows you to develop needed skills to decide about your topic, purpose, thesis and audience.
The first step in the planning process is to decide what your topic is going to be. Topics can vary based on people, places, research, etc. When choosing a topic, you want to consider who the reader is going to be. You also want to make sure that you know something about your subject matter. Knowing your subject matter will better help you develop your thoughts, which will lead to a paper that will capture your reader’s attention. The second step is finding a purpose. “A purpose means asking yourself, why am I writing this piece? Each writing situation has a specific goal. To achieve your goal, you will need a definite strategy. Goal plus strategy equals purpose,” (Lannon, 2012). The third step in planning is to decide on your thesis for your paper. The thesis is a statement that consists of two or three sentences. It conveys to the reader what the paper is about, and what your point of view on the subject matter is. In developing a thesis statement, make sure to stick to one clear and definite main point; Make sure your point can be supported. Make sure you can rely on evidence to support your point. Get your facts straight. This may require additional research. The fourth step in the planning process is to gather your information and resources. Information and resources can consist of brainstorming, which consists of writing down ideas as they flow, reading material, interviews, internet websites, etc. After this information has been collected, select your best material and organize for your readers.