Module 10 - Draft
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Activity 1 | Activity 2 | Activity 3 | Activity 4
Activity 1: Introduction
Once you have completed a successful outline, you are ready to begin drafting your research paper. Use your outline to guide your drafting. If, as you write, you decide to alter the organization set out in the outline, go ahead. Just make sure deviating from the outline will produce a better, easier to read research paper. Also keep in mind there is not one way to draft an essay, even though the outline may suggest otherwise. For example, if you want to write the conclusion first, then the introduction, go ahead. Your composing does not need to follow the order in which the essay will be read.
When you read the description for Task 8, you will see that you are encouraged to write a draft, then go back and revise to improve the essay. Generally, working with a draft involves both revising and editing. Either process can take place at any time. However, before you do any extensive revision or editing, be sure to save a copy of an early draft. You’ll need to submit a rough draft along with your finished research paper. Revision includes the following processes: take something out; add something; rearrange the order of presenting information; substitute something by taking something out and putting something in its place; replacing entire sections; or starting over. Editing, of course, is checking for conventions such as punctuation, spelling, usage, formatting. Another important issue involves plagiarism, unintentional or otherwise.
