Thlog 7

This week in writing 2 I learned a lot of techniques that I can use to make my writing better.  The first technique I can include in my writing process is knowing what I am writing about.  This doesn't mean just knowing the little bits that I am going to include, but knowing the subject or topic thoroughly, knowing the ins and outs, and even knowing about the things that I don't think i am going to include in my writing.  I think this is a helpful tip because it is much easier to see the bigger picture when you are educated on what you are going to write.  Knowing the subject thoroughly also can help you make connections that you might have not made.

           Another process tip that can help me as a writer is drawing out a mind cluster map when thinking about what I am going to write or planning how I am going to present the information.  This is extremely helpful in my case because I struggle the most with how I am going to organize my information when I am getting ready to write a paper.  This can be a helpful tool to create an outline for my paper as well.  Also, when thinking about what I am going to write, I always come up with cool ideas but then forget them and they disappear forever.  Using the thought bubble map, I can write down my first order thoughts relating to each sub-topic so they are organized and not lost.

           A tip I learned to help check if my paper makes sense and flows is to “turn it into a poem” by separating it by sentences.  This can be helpful because it isolates the sentences individually so they stand out.  By separating them, it is easier to see them as individuals, and see if the previous one connects to the current one, and see if that flows into the next.  This technique also is helpful to see if I need to add a sentence, or delete one. 

           I also learned that sentences can be one or two short words, or be a lengthy with 70+ words, and that there are reasons that a writer would use super short or super long sentences.  For example, a long sentence can be used for in depth analysis and be packed with information.  A short sentence can follow this up and be effective because it is a change of pace and grabs the reader’s attention.  A short follow up sentence is a move that is both stylistic and useful that authors use to add a little variation that I personally am a fan of.