Developing an Argument of Your Own

This section of "A writer's Reference" is going to be very helpful when I get further along in the writing process of the argumentative essay. What really stood out for me was the first half where it explained the proper preparation of writing a good essay.

In the section "Getting Ideas" I thought that free writing was a great idea. To just sit down and write for a few minutes about the subject that the paper is about, without a filter, will really help to get the ideas flowing and the thought process moving. I feel that I would really benefit from this. It is really easy for me to think without a filter, but to actually write what I am thinking is a different story. This might be because I feel like that the majority of my writing should be organized or just because I think too fast for me to write; by the time I get the chance to write something down I am five thoughts ahead. For the most part I stick to listing. The grocery list method helps me think of new ideas, with the word association, and it also helps me organize my thoughts a little bit before I actually start to write my essay. I also thought that asking yourself questions was a very good idea. By asking the recommended questions, you can be sure that you are covering all aspects of your research.

I feel that the audience of an essay is really important. By understanding who your audience is, what they believe, and what you want them to get out of the essay leads to a better essay overall. Knowing the audience also tells you the level of formality you should use while writing the paper. I agree with the article when it says that the title is a great way to introduce the subject of the essay, and should include part of the thesis. Lastly, the opening paragraphs of the essay should grab the reader. The opening should tease the reader and leave them wanting to read on.