Before I Write...

Before writing a paper I always sit and think about the topic I write about. I come up with some good ideas and some bad. When I start to write a paper I tend to forget certain points I'm trying to make. Therefore, I always jot down ideas before I even start writing my rough draft. I come up with a thesis and my supporting ideas, then I decide what order I want to put them in. I feel that structure and content are equally important so I make an informal outline of what I am trying to say. I always right out my full introduction and conclusion first and then jot down some ideas in between. If I come up with a new idea while writing I make sure to add it in my introduction and conclusion. I try and stay on topic because sometimes when I'm writing without brainstorming before I tend to get a little off topic. Using keywords and phrases also helps. If I am writing a response to text I read I write down the main ideas of the text and sometimes quote things from the text that I read, it helps with my supporting ideas. I must gather all my thoughts before I write or I get very confused. If I want to use a certain word that I don't know how to spell I will look the word up before so I don't interrupt my train of thought. Even if I'm not too sure on a subject I'll make sure to research it just so I feel comfortable writing about it. After that, I revise all my ideas and if there's an idea that I decide doesn't work I will eliminate it. I'll try to memorize what my ideas were and the order so I don't get distracted and keep looking at my brainstorming sheet. Then, once I write my introduction it all comes to me and my paper just flows. I have tried other methods but I definetly feel this is the best method for me.