Reflection on Writing a Good Paper

Beginning any rational paper is always difficult for me. I forever start out with high ambitions and broad expansive topics. This instance wasn't any different. I wanted to write something that got peoples attention. I wanted to write something very controversial that actually meant something to me. Politics, constitutional law, and government involvement in private life has always fascinated me. Amidst the whirlwind of party politics and the war in Iraq one topic surfaced as misunderstood. I decided, after many hours of scouring the Internet for sources, to write about the government inefficiencies following hurricane Katrina. Specifically, I wanted to write about the New Orleans tragedy and how the state government created more problems than it resolved.

Once my topic was chosen I created an outline of what I thought was important regarding the government inefficiencies. Using the Internet as my starting point I found support at several sites for two of my main concerns modeled in my outline. This all happened very quickly. My main claim was evident and I now had support sufficient to back it. I then moved on to drafting.

The first draft of my paper was all opinion written down in no particular order. I used a word processor to cut and paste the pieces, which I felt were strong, into a coherent order. After organizing my thoughts I began my introduction, being sure to include a clear main claim and state the reasons for my belief. This part was easy for me. I breezed through the introduction and found plenty of support for my view. So, invariably I wanted a little more.

After almost writing my entire draft I decided that more perspective would give me a better angle to write from and hopefully draw me into the story surrounding the events more. I ventured to the bookstore and choose a moderate looking book written by an inhabitant of New Orleans during the hurricane strike. I vigorously attacked this new wealth of information and found that while the writer did not side with me on my more controversial views he nonetheless felt the same abject hatred for the lack of action taken that I did. The book did what I wanted it to. Then, I slapped together a new draft and prepared it well enough to be read to others.

When we were to read our drafts to our group I found that I was a little apprehensive at first. My claim is controversial and I didn't know what kind of reaction I would get. My classmates were receptive and supportive of my claim while not necessarily in agreement. The feedback regarding my shallow support for the first few paragraphs allowed me to stop looking at the paper as a whole and focus directly on the topic being addressed. Another valuable group experience was just reading my paper aloud. Speaking my paper and using intonation helped me pinpoint those areas where my language was choppy or redundant. Reading out loud also helps me realize where punctuation should be placed. Again, I went back to revising this time with ammunition to combat my loopholes.

As a final draft I am not satisfied. There will probably be another revision of the paper before its day is done. For now the effort I have made is sufficient for its purpose. Just like anyone who loves to write there is always something more you want to say. I learned that being a writer is knowing when to stop writing. You can always add ideas and dilute your paper but when you can leave it the way it is or take away from it and make it more potent then that is skill.