A conclusion that reinforces the thesis statement and leaves the audience with a feeling of completion.These can be specific facts, examples, anecdotes, or other details that elaborate on the topic sentence. Supporting sentences in each paragraph that develop or explain the topic sentence.A topic sentence in each paragraph that states the main idea of the paragraph and implies how that main idea connects to the thesis statement.A thesis statement that presents the main point, or controlling idea, of the entire piece of writing.An introduction that piques the audience’s interest, tells what the essay is about, and motivates readers to keep reading.A first draft should include the following elements: Knowing what a first draft looks like will help you make the creative leap from the outline to the first draft. If you have been using the information in this chapter step by step to help you develop an assignment, you already have both a formal topic outline and a formal sentence outline to direct your writing. You can also use it to leave comments to yourself.ĭiscovering the Basic Elements of a First Draft The reviewing tool on some word-processing programs also gives you access to a collaborative tool that many smaller workgroups use when they exchange documents. The collaborative software, or document management systems, that groups use to work on common projects is sometimes called groupware or workgroup support systems. Strong communication skills, in addition to strong writing skills, are important in this kind of writing situation because disagreements over style, content, process, emphasis, and other issues may arise. In a perfect collaboration, each contributor has the right to add, edit, and delete text. Many collaborations are conducted over the Internet. Collaborators do not need to be in the same room, the same building, or even the same city. Workplace writing in certain environments is done by teams of writers who collaborate on the planning, writing, and revising of documents, such as long reports, technical manuals, and the results of scientific research. How can you best express your ideas so they are totally clear and your communication is effective? Are you writing for experts, for a general audience, for other college students, or for people who know very little about your topic? Keep asking yourself what your readers, with their background and experience, need to be told in order to understand your ideas. Your purpose will guide your mind as you compose your sentences. If your purpose is to persuade, for example, you will present your facts and details in the most logical and convincing way you can. Of all of these considerations, keeping your purpose and your audience at the front of your mind is the most important key to writing success. These aspects of writing are just as important when you are writing a single paragraph for your essay as when you are considering the direction of the entire essay. Keep your audience and purpose in mind as you write.Holding yourself to your own goals will create successful writing assignments. If you told yourself that you need more facts, then commit to finding them. If you decide to take ten-minute breaks, try to stick to that goal. Try setting an alarm to limit your break, and when the time is up, return to your desk to write. You may forget key points or lose momentum. If you spend too much time away from your essay, you may have trouble starting again. Still, if you are antsy or cannot concentrate, take a break to let your mind rest. This tip might be most useful if you are writing a multipage report or essay. Take short breaks to refresh your mind.Writers should always meet their deadlines. On the other hand, try not to procrastinate. As long as you complete the assignment on time, you may choose how many paragraphs you complete in one sitting. Write one paragraph at a time and then stop.As a guideline, try to write paragraphs longer than one sentence but shorter than the length of an entire double-spaced page. Long paragraphs may be wordy and may lose your reader’s interest. Readers may also think the writing is abrupt. Although paragraphs may vary in length, keep in mind that short paragraphs may contain insufficient support. You can start with the second paragraph or the first paragraph, too. You can start with the third paragraph in your outline if ideas come easily to mind. Begin writing with the part you know the most about.For instance, the following approaches, done alone or in combination with others, may improve your writing and help you move forward in the writing process: What makes the writing process so beneficial to writers is that it encourages alternatives to standard practices while motivating you to develop your best ideas.

Multimedia project rough draft example