Another Reflection about Writing and Editing

Back in March, I made a post entitled “Great Editations” where I discussed the different methods I used when I edit my essays electronically. Since I’m currently working on my three final essays for my classes, I decided I’d reflect on some of the ways I edit in general, how I plan out and draft assignments, and the tactics I use as I’m writing and revising. Although these three essays focus on different topics and texts, I still find I’m tending to approach the writing and editing process in similar ways for all of them. Hopefully, this post will help my classmates and maybe even give them new ways of thinking about and partaking in essay-writing.

One strategy I like to do after I know my essay topic is to brainstorm. I think about all the possible things I could say about the topic and write them down in various formats such as lists, bullet points, Venn diagrams, tables, etc. It really depends on the complexity of the essay topic or how I feel like organizing my information at that time. I essentially just enjoy writing down any ideas or plans that come to mind. Even if I don’t use all of what I write down, I feel more relaxed knowing that at least it’s recorded on paper so I can refer back to it if needed. I also like to make rough skeletal outlines of the paper, identifying what I want to cover in each body paragraph. I’ll draft a sentence stating the main argument and then jot down some supporting points/details. The first stages of planning for me are pretty simple and random. Many of the initial ideas I write read like “stream of consciousness” journal entries; the thoughts are relevant to each other, but not yet organized and structured.

I think it’s fair to say that many writers and students struggle with simply starting an essay. You tend to have so many different idea bouncing around your head or scribbled down on paper; it’s intimidating thinking about exactly how you’re going to establish a thesis, construct arguments, analyze the text, imbed citations, use transitions, etc. I think it proves especially difficult when you have to write a paper on a hard topic or one you aren’t that interested in. However, I certainly feel relieved once I actually start writing. Even though I know my first few drafts are definitely going to be rough, I still feel a sense of accomplishment when I start to see my essay come together, even if it’s just a first draft. Usually I find that the more I write, the more comfortable I begin to feel.

I’ll admit that I never used to write multiple drafts of my English papers when I was in high school. I usually wrote them a day or two before they were due, handed them in, and just accepted the fact that I was “bad” at writing essays. I excelled in other English assignments, but essays were the only assignments I felt I struggled with. However, once I became a college student, I realized that writing is not simply a “one and done” action. Now I know that writing is a complicated, attention-demanding, personal, intellectual, and essentially never-ending process. Writing can also be relaxing, creative, engaging, and motivating. Writing challenges you, but yet allows you to really explore your own thoughts and emotions. Sometimes I surprise myself at the thoughts I come up with when I write my papers. They’re nothing revolutionary or completely unconventional, but still not the kinds of everyday thoughts I have. Peer-editing, revising, and drafting in my college English classes, as well as working as a Writing Coach, have all helped me grow as a writer and editor. With each assignment I learn what I’m capable of producing when I put in effort, time, care, and reflection during my writing and editing processes.

When I’m planning, drafting, writing, and revising my papers, I always refer back to the essay prompt, topic, or question. I seriously force myself to really consider whether I’m answering the prompt or not. I usually consider the main prompt in strong relation to my thesis statement. I’ll read the prompt over and over and over again, until I practically have it memorized. I slow down and read every word carefully, challenging myself to figure out if I truly even understand what my professor is saying. I also use similar strategies if the instructor provides questions within the main prompt or additional grading guidelines. Sometimes I’ll even read the grading criteria, read a paragraph, read the grading criteria, read the next paragraph, read the grading criteria and so on. I’ll ask myself, “Have I answered this?” or “Have I covered that?”. I’ll refer back to my essay with each criterion and ask myself the same questions. This strategy allows me to figure out what areas I feel like I’ve discusses and where I need to write more.

I also prefer to break up my essay writing. I usually start at least planning out my topic the day I receive the prompts. Once I actually start writing, I try to only focus on specific components each day. If I end up wanting to write more, I will. However, I know if I push myself, I’ll become overwhelmed. I’ll tell myself something along the lines of, “On Friday I’ll plan out my essay: create a rough thesis statement, figure out what quotes I’ll use, and make a tentative outline. Saturday, I’ll begin working on the first two body paragraphs. On Sunday, I’ll take some time to revise those, and start body paragraph three” or “On Saturday, I’ll write my paragraphs about Thoreau and Whitman. Sunday, I’ll begin Dickinson and Poe.” So, I tend to categorize my essay plans by author, subtopic, essay component, and so on. I find that breaking up the essay writing, planning ahead, and starting as early as possible all help me feel more relaxed and confident about my paper. I also know that starting early leaves me more time to revise or choose a new topic if my original one isn’t working out.

I certainly do more than what I mentioned here. However, these were the first ones that I thought about or ones I could explain a bit easier than others.

Photo credits:

Dumbledore (https://quotesnhumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Writing-memes7.jpg)

SpongeBob (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ce/c4/da/cec4dae95bb11f314053adcda3b6806f.jpg)