The Writing Process

Chapter six of Envision, titled “Organizing Writing and Research Arguments“ opens with a brief discussion of drafting and its relevance in film, drawing a parallel from the processes used in filmmaking to those used in composing affective research arguments. Throughout the chapter, visual organization, approaches to outlining, making concise arguments, incorporating research, drafting, and finally redrafting are explained on the same level, using film as a parallel.

In the beginning of the chapter, the different types of visual organizing are introduced. It is suggested before even beginning to make any form of visual one must first organize the materials inventory can be taken of what is present After physically organizing the research, books, etc., the two suggested methods of visual organizations are flow charts and bubble webs. Bubble webs generally follow thought patterns and are organized by shape and color, whereas flow charts are linear and organized as such. Certain visual aids work better for some than others, but all visual organization is helpful in the drafting process.

The next step in writing a well-developed research paper is outlining. Because the materials that are planned on being used are already organized into thoughtful categories, the first basic step of outlining is complete. Outlines are most effectively used for longer papers where ideas could potentially overlap or get crossed. Using an outline, one can put these ideas into sentence form while also offering a basic plan for the paper. Outlining is the step where one can play with the order of topics and find the one that best presents the argument at hand.

The next step, as outlined in this chapter, is “spotlight[ing] your argument,” that is, deciding how to approach the paper at hand. Choosing how to handle the sources present, whether it be presenting them and letting them make their own case, or guiding the sources to the desired end, all of these decisions comes together to form the voice used in the argument.

After deciding on one’s voice, one must then decide on the best way to incorporate one’s sources into the paper. There are three (proper) ways of incorporating sources into a paper: summary, paraphrasing, and direct quotation. A summary is used when wanting to respond to a source’s argument it isn’t an opinion. One is merely recapping the information covered or presented in whatever is being summarized. The second, is paraphrasing, this is the concept of taking someone else’s words or ideas and putting them into your own, but still giving them credit for their ideas. This can be used when trying to help make plain an idea so that it is understood. The final form of source integration is direct quotation. Direct quotations, while easier than the others, must still be cited. If the quote doesn’t help achieve ethos, provide evidence or use language that couldn’t be reworded in a more appropriate or memorable form, use a different method of integration.

The easiest transition in the composing process should be the transition from outline to first draft. By now, the outline is in the proper order, has all the pieces lined up and ready, a clear purpose for the paper, and sources chosen and written in the proper cited form. All that is left is to give the paper some fat, plump it up. This section in the chapter, mainly administers advice on approaching the draft, and how to avoid getting stuck or dwelling on writer’s block.

Finally, the chapter ends with revising and editing the draft. As the depth of the argument increases the focus may change and with it the organization. When going through the revision process many people find they have unnecessary information, bad sources, and theses that aren’t conducive to the argument they are trying to make.