Writing Topic: Rules for Writers chapter 1

The concepts expressed in the “The Writing Process”, by Diana Hacker are, how to write a well written paper, which includes how to develop a subject, how to determine what type of paper is required, what is the purpose of the paper, and how to ensure the audience understands the message the writer is trying to convey.

When beginning a paper developing a subject does not happen instantly. The writer must allow time to develop ideas, ask themselves questions about the subject. Diana Hacker suggested thinking about the subject throughout the day and jotting down ideas as they come. Additional methods of developing the subject are; writing a list of ideas, free-writing, writing in a journal, and talking to other people about the subject to assist in generating new concepts.

It is necessary to know what type of paper is required. Diana Hacker stated there are generally two forms of college writing assignments, an analytical essay and a research paper. Each type of paper has certain characteristics that identify it as such but both types of paper require critically reading texts, annotating the text, creating an outline, writing a rough draft, and revising the text until the final draft is finished. The analytical essay involves reading a text closely and writing to support the text. If a quote from the document is used the writer must include the page number of the text. A research paper includes gathering information on the subject from multiple sources. It is required to document each source at the end of the document.

It is critical to figure out what the purpose is of the text. Diana Hacker said to find out what you want to communicate to the readers and who is the audience of the text. It is important to make sure who ever reads the text is able to understand what you are stating. It is important to ask who, what, where, why, and how in regards to the subject to ensure all the questions the audience may have are adequately covered.

This week I had a better understanding of how to use this assignment as a tool for my future writing assignments. The concepts I felt that will be especially beneficial to me are, dwelling on possible subjects throughout my day, brainstorming with friends, and asking myself who, what, why, when, how in regards to the writing subject. The majority of the documents I have written in the last year for school have been research papers therefore I appreciated learning the difference between a research paper and a summary.