Chapter One Summary and Class Discussion

                In Chapter One, the focus was on getting started with writing a research paper. The chapter went on to answer two questions: how can I research and write with confidence and how can I choose an appropriate topic?

                In the first segment, focusing on research and writing with confidence, taking ownership of a project was shown to being an important step in increasing the confidence in writing. Looking for something important to the writer in a project increases the confidence of the writer on the project. Learning the topic offers more ownership and a higher confidence because the writer has more certainty. Sources, while adding knowledge, are also needed for citations, and keeping track of the sources, such as writing them down in a log, is helpful. Throughout looking though sources and becoming knowledgeable, developing a position is important because it allows the writer to know where they stand. Genre and design are also important elements to have down. The kind of work, such as the genre, is important, as also the design of the document. A newspaper article is obviously different than a novel. Knowing what the readers will need for the project to be affective is essential. This means using the proper context for the readers. Presenting the project with the knowledge of their beliefs and life allows the topic to be better understood. In addition, designing the project so that is easy of the readers to take in is important. Looking ahead and being able to adapt to new ways of communication will help readers. Time management is very important for staying on track. If one of the processes for creating a good clear project is deficient, the confidence of the writer will likely be also.

                How to choose a topic is the base of the project. The first task is to analyze the assignment. Knowing who the readers are and what they want is important for narrowing the topic. This partly means choosing a topic that will influence the readers. Influence for the writer is also important for keeping motivation in working on the project. Proper genre and context is important for the topic to help give the reader the most influential and interesting project. Choosing the topic according to the role and requirements of the project are essential. For just pulling an idea or a topic out of the head, tactics such as brainstorming, clustering, freewriting, and looping can be used as exercises for getting started. Making sure the topic is compatible with the writing situation, and the audience is also important.