Taking Inventory of Your Thoughts

"Good writing is formed partly through plan and partly through accident" (Ken Macrorie)

After carefully considering the questions that follow, you will be ready to move ahead with your writing or change your subject.

Purpose
Does my subject meet the assignment requirements?
Am I writing to explain, describe, persuade, entertain or retell?

Self
How do I feel about the subject?
Do I have enough time to develop this subject?

Subject
How much do I know about this subject?
Can I think of an interesting way to write about it?
Is additional information available?

Audience:
Who are my readers?
How much do they already know about this subject?
How can I get them interested in my ideas?

Form and Style
How should I present my ideas -in narrative, and essay, a report, or an article?
Can I think of an interesting way to begin or lead into my paper?

FAQ  How much information do I have to collect before I write my first draft?
    That depends on the type of writing you are doing. If you are developing a personal narrative, collecting information may not be a big issue. But suppose you are developing a persuasive essay research to collect enough information to develop a convicing argument. In short, the closer you are to your subject, the less collecting you will have to do.