exercise 4.m

John Richardson
English 1106
Dan Lawson
Friday January 30, 2009
Writing papers is something that has never come easy to me. I have found it very difficult to sit down, and translate all the ideas in my head into words on paper. I have learned through college a experience, that it is crucial for me to write in a quiet area with no distractions. That is why I usually write my paper in the library or study lounge of my dorm. I choose these places because distractions are limited to my computer, and the people around me doing their work. I choose to write with my computer, so I have spell check and a thesaurus right at my fingertips. Also, papers eventually have to be typed, so it is much easier to type them right away. I have one strategy that I like to use when I start off writing a paper, and that is outlining. I feel by giving myself a guide to work with makes it easier to organize my thoughts and create ideas in the long run. Typically, my papers have two drafts and an outline. My outline helps me write the ideas down. First draft is used for basic ideas in a paper format. Second draft is for fine tuning my paper and getting everything set and ready. Lastly, my final draft is perfect to hand in, and I feel it is the best piece I can possibly complete. Revision plays a role in my writing. I feel the only way I can make sure I put my best work foreword is by reading and re-reading drafts multiple times. Not only right when I finish the paper but I also look at them hours and days later. This way I have a clear mind to clean up mistakes. My peer editing experiences thus far are not good at all. I feel kids don’t try to edit, and for the most part they just fix glaring mistakes. They don’t really critique my work or help me out. I feel in my experience that they are useless, and hopefully that will change.