chapter one summary. getting started

Chapter one is all about getting you started as a research writer. Things that the chapter capitalizes on are; taking ownership of your project, understand the process of a research paper, learn how to work with resources, develop a position, write to the audience and how to manage your time wisely. Choosing a topic seems to be a main factor in a research paper. You must first analyze the assignment given, generate ideas about appropriate topics and consider your writing situation before starting to write. If you choose a topic that you are comfortable writing about the paper seems to flow much better because you can have confidence in your paper. If you're confident in your assignment then taking ownership comes naturally along with taking your position on the topic. Now to build a research paper you must understand the writing process. the needs, interests, values, and beliefs of the audience play a huge roll in how you come off in your paper. If you are writing an argumentative paper make sure the audience agrees with what you are preparing to write about. If the assignment is to inform maybe pick a topic the reader has no knowledge about thus creating an illusion that you did the proper research and have some knowledge about the topic. In a research paper it is very important to work with your sources. Little things such as a simple interview with someone can give your paper more depth than it would have otherwise. Make sure that you properly manage the sources so that you can find them easily. Sources seem to be one of the hardest tasks to master for myself. I must also learn to manage my time better to achieve a well written paper. A project timeline could be a very useful tool in writing a research paper on a deadline. Pick out key components that you might thing apply for the topic of choice. Brainstorming, free writing, looping or clustering are simple ways to get started on your assignment. I would have to say brainstorming is my favorite. Basically making an outline and thinking of key factors that relate to your topic are the baby steps to all papers. This chapter has helped me remember what I need to do to stay on task and to choose topics that my audience will enjoy reading about.