Writing in “General”
Writing essays and research papers are commonplace in the education space. From the very first time we, as students, are assigned one of these papers, the rules of writing them are drilled into our heads. We are taught to start with a thesis statement, then spend the rest of the essay expanding on and explaining our ideas.
We are led to believe that this is standard practice for more professional forms of writing, but the truth is, there is no one way to write. Although the formatting of a research paper may stay consistent, its audience is what determines how you go about presenting your ideas. A student paper will not be written with the same voice as a paper intended to be published in a scientific journal. Similarly, a blog post will not be written with the same voice as an opinion page in a newspaper. This is what Elizabeth Wardle talks about in the short reading we were given this week.
Wardle believes that thinking that there is only one way of writing causes unnecessary stress. In school, for example, different teachers may be expecting different results out of their students. These differing expectations mean that students will not know going into a class what any given professor is looking for. Because of this, approaching every writing assignment with the same mindset is not conducive to success.
A Different Approach
So what of that tried and true formula of starting with a thesis statement? While this may be the way students are taught in schools, it is not the only effective method, and according to Catherine Savini, it is not even the most effective method. Savini instead suggests starting with a problem, then considering the importance of this problem— what is at stake. This will eventually lead to a thesis statement, but one that holds more complexity and depth.
Speaking as a student with a passion for fiction oriented writing, it can sometimes be difficult to write for more academic purposes. Just as Wardle explained, these are two different contexts, and the ways in which I write for both differ. In the case of research papers, it can sometimes be an excruciating undertaking to begin. Coming up with a thesis statement strong enough to carry an entire paper is no easy feat. The examples provided in Savini’s piece, however, were strong bases for compelling papers. I can definitely see this method streamlining my own writing process, and it is something I will consider in the future.
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