1. Writing the Paragraphs in the First Draft
from The Longman Writer
Chapter 6

2. After prewriting, deciding on a thesis, and developing & organizing evidence, you’re ready to write a first draft ---
---a rough, provisional version of your essay in which you provide:
paragraphs that support your thesis
all relevant examples, facts, and opinions
sequence your material as effective as you can

3. You may find that… But that’s OK--- Remember, writing is a PROCESS
your thesis has to be reconsidered or reshaped
a point no longer fits
you have to return to prewriting to generate additional material
But that’s OK---
Remember, writing is a PROCESS

4. How do I move from the outline to the first draft?
There is no RIGHT WAY to do it
Some people rely heavily on prewriting, scratch notes, and outlines.
Others only glance at them occasionally.
Some people type their first draft.
Others prefer to start with a handwritten draft.

5. Using your outline to draft
Make the outline’s main topics (your roman numerals) the topic sentences of your paragraphs
Make the outline’s subtopics (your capital letters) the subpoints of each paragraph
Make the outline’s supporting points (Arabic numerals) the key examples and reasons in each paragraph
Make the outline’s specific details (lower-case letters) the secondary examples:
facts, statistics, expert opinions, and quotations

6. What if I get a new idea?
It is OK (actually, great) if you get fresh ideas while drafting.
Go ahead and throw promising new thoughts in and go back and evaluate them during revision.

7. What if I get stuck? It’s OK (actually, it’s quite normal)
REMEMBER, it’s a ROUGH draft; it doesn’t have to be perfect!
Relax. Don’t be critical. Work quickly. Don’t worry about perfect spelling or grammar
Feel free to skip down to another part of the paper
Consider rereading what you’ve already written –
OUT LOUD

8. Write the supporting paragraphs 1st
Since the introduction depends heavily on everything that follows and is the bait to catch the reader’s attention, consider writing the body paragraphs 1st
Go ahead and write out your thesis, though, to keep you focused
Keep your supporting paragraphs focused with a topic sentence (a main point from your thesis or roman numeral from your outline)
Think of this as a mini-thesis for each paragraph
See The Longman Writer for specific examples and tips

9. Make your supporting paragraphs specific
Provide examples that answer who, what, which and similar questions
Replace general nouns and adjectives with precise/specific ones
Old car – beat-up car – rusty, dented, old Chevy pick-up
Replace general verbs with vivid ones
They seemed excited – They whistled and cheered
Replace abstract words with concrete ones
Use imagery (words that appeal to the 5 senses)
Provide adequate support for your points

10. Grab the reader’s attention--- Write the Introduction
Hook the reader with one of the following:
A brief anecdote
A quotation
Onomatopoeia
A dramatic fact or statistic
Briefly providing some background information

11. Wrap it up--- Write the Conclusion
Don’t just stop writing after your final point. Your reader deserves a satisfying ending
Consider saving a compelling fact, statistic, quote, or detail for the end
Consider returning to and referencing an image, idea or anecdote used in the introduction
Consider driving home your point by rephrasing your thesis
You may sum up your argument, make a prediction based on the information you provided, or call your reader to some sort of action

12. JUST START WRITING
Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated by the blank page