First draft Research paper

Example of writing process studied in module 1.

 

Step 1: Select Your Topic

Use the three tips you learned in Selecting a Workable Topic to develop a topic for your descriptive essay.

Step 2: Brainstorm Your Topic

1. Brainstorm your topic.

Start with the topic you developed in your last assignment. Brainstorm some ideas surrounding that topic using what you learned in Brainstorming Your Topic.

2. Use the clustering technique.

Use the system of clustering to generate specific ideas and information pertaining to your topic or subject.

 

Step 2.1: Outline Your Topic

Use what you learned in Outlining as well as your previous practice assignments to build an outline for your topic.

 

Step 2.2: Write Your Research Questions

Write four research questions that are applicable to your topic. It is usually helpful to create questions that allow for both the affirmative and negative positions on an issue or topic.

 

Step 3: Write Your Thesis Statement

Using what you learned about the characteristics of a good thesis statement, write a thesis statement for your topic.

 

Step 4: Write Your Introduction

Using what you learned about thesis statements and introductions, write an introduction for your paper. Review the characteristics of a good introduction before you begin.

 

Step 5: Write Your Content

Using what you learned about writing the body of a paper, write the content for your essay. Remember to review the module to verify you are following the best practices for writing content.

 

Step 6: Write Your Conclusion

Using the information you learned, write a conclusion paragraph for your paper.

 

Step 7: Use Appropriate Vocabulary

Review these words and make an effort to use them in your speaking and writing. Practice using each of the words in a sentence. Type a sentence for each term in the answer bank below. If you need to use a dictionary for more clarification regarding the definitions, feel free to do so. However, do not use the suggested context sentences provided by the dictionary (see the Portage Professionalism Policy for details) when working on this exercise.

Transitional Words

 

College-Level Vocabulary

 

for instance

 

obtuse – lacking perception

 

enervate – to weaken

 

therefore

 

abstruse – difficult to understand

 

deciduous – shedding

 

thus

 

abeyance – to temporarily set aside

 

antebellum – period before the Civil War

 

because

 

mitosis – cell division

 

gauche – tactless

 

yet

 

nihilism – skepticism that denies all existence

 

hubris – over-bearing pride

 

eventually

 

parameter – boundaries

 

obsequiousness – fawning

 

first, second (etc.)

 

paradigm – an example to serves as a model

 

fiduciary – holding in trust

 

finally

 

precipitous – steep

 

feckless – ineffectual

 

similarly

 

jocular – given to joking

 

lexicon – dictionary

 

in other words

 

chicanery – trickery

 

kinetic – motion

 

in addition to

 

acumen – quickness; accuracy

 

inculcate – to teach by repetition

 

on the other hand

 

bowdlerize – modify

 

 

consequently

 

circumnavigate – to go around

 

 

however

 

deleterious – having a harmful effect

 

 

rather

 

churlish – bad disposition