Write a concept

Author: Judy Howell
Date Of Creation: 28 July 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
Anonim
HOW TO WRITE A CONCEPT PAPER: A step-by-step guide with examples
Video: HOW TO WRITE A CONCEPT PAPER: A step-by-step guide with examples

Content

Writing a draft text is an essential part of the writing process and your chance to get your initial ideas and thoughts down on paper. It can be difficult to get started right away with a concept for a creative piece, such as a novel, short story, or essay. You need to brainstorm ideas for design first, to get your creative juices flowing and take the time to capture your concept in a schematic. After that, you will be better prepared to sit down and write your draft.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Brainstorming ideas for the concept

  1. Write freely about the topic or goal. Get your creative juices flowing by writing freely on the topic or purpose of your paper. You can use the essay question as assigned by your teacher as a guide for free writing. Or you can focus on describing the theme or topic from your protagonist's perspective when writing a creative piece. Free writing is a great way to warm up your brain and get it ready for the real thing.
    • Free writing often works best if you give yourself a time limit, such as five minutes or ten minutes. You are not allowed to take your pen off the paper during that time, so you are forced to keep writing about the theme or topic during that time.
    • For example, if you are going to write an essay on the death penalty, you might use a question such as, "What are the possible issues or problems with the death penalty?"
    • Free writing is often also a good way to generate content that you can use later in your draft. It's amazing what you can achieve when you write freely on a topic.
  2. Make a cluster map of the topic or theme. A cluster map is another good brainstorming tactic as it helps you come up with keywords and phrases that you can then use in your draft. It can also help to determine your position on a particular theme or topic, especially if you are writing an argument.
    • If you want to use the cluster method, put a word in the center of the paper that describes your topic or theme. Then you write keywords and thoughts around the word's central. Circle the central word and draw lines from the center to the other keywords and ideas. Then circle each word to indicate groups of words around the central word.
    • For example, if you want to write a short story on a theme like "anger", write "anger" in the center of the page. You can then write keywords around it, such as "volcano", "warmth", "my mother" and "frenzy".
  3. Read about the subject or theme. If you are writing an academic essay, you will probably need to do some research by reading scientific texts on the theme or topic. Reading these texts can also inspire and prepare you for your concept. As you read these texts, take notes for the main points and themes you will explore later in your concept.
    • When you write a creative piece, you can go through texts about a particular idea or theme that you want to explore in your own work. You can look up texts by topic and read different texts to get ideas for your story.
    • You may have favorite writers who you reread often for inspiration, or find new writers who do interesting things with the topic. You can then adopt elements of the writer's approach and use it in your own concept.
    • You can find additional information sources and texts online and in your library. Ask the librarian for more information about sources and texts.

Part 2 of 3: Making a text diagram of your concept

  1. Outline the plot. If you're writing a creative piece, such as a novel or a short story, create a plot outline. This can be a simple scheme and not too detailed. Using a text diagram as a guide, you can better organize the rough design.
    • You can use the snowflake method to outline your plot. In this method, you write a summary of your story in one line, followed by a one-paragraph outline, and then a synopsis of characters. You also make a spreadsheet of scenes.
    • You can also diagram the plot. In this method, there are six elements: the exposition, the conflict, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution.
    • No matter which option you choose, you need to make sure that your outline includes at least the conflict, climax, and resolution. With these three elements in mind, writing your concept will be much easier.
  2. Try the three-act structure. Another option for creative concepts is to use three acts. This structure is popular in screenwriting and playwriting, but can also be used for novels and longer stories. The three act can also be outlined quickly, and serve as a step-by-step plan for your concept. The structure of a three act is as follows:
    • Act 1: In Act 1, your protagonist meets the other characters in the story. The story's central conflict is also revealed. The main character is given a specific goal, which forces him or her to make a decision. For example, in Act 1, your main character may be bitten by a vampire after a one night stand. She then decides to hide as soon as she discovers she has become a vampire.
    • Act 2: In Act 2, you introduce a complication that makes the central conflict an even bigger problem. The complication can also make it more difficult for your protagonist to achieve their goal. For example: In Act 2, the main character may realize that she has to go to her best friend's wedding the following week, despite the fact that she has now become a vampire. The best friend may also call to confirm that the main character is coming, making it harder for her to stay in hiding.
    • Act 3: In the third act, you present a solution to the central conflict of the story. The solution may cause your protagonist to achieve or fail their goal. For example: In Act 3, the main character goes to the wedding anyway and tries to pretend she is not a vampire. The best friend can then find out and accept it. You can then end the story by having the main character bite the groom and make him her vampire lover.
  3. Create a text outline of the essay. If you are writing an academic essay or paper, you also first outline the essay, divided into three main parts: an introduction, core and conclusion. Although essays are often written in a five-paragraph structure, it is not necessarily necessary to divide the text into paragraphs. With these three sections, you can use as many paragraphs as you need to fill each section. The overview may look like this:
    • Part 1: Introduction, including a catchy opening line, a statement, and the three main discussion points. Most academic essays contain at least three main points of discussion.
    • Part 2: Core, including a discussion of your three main points. You must also provide supporting evidence for each main point, from outside sources and your own perspective.
    • Section 3: Conclusion, including a summary of your three main points, a restatement of your statement, and closing statements or thoughts.
  4. Make a statement. If you are drafting an academic essay or paper, you need a thesis. Your statement should let readers know what you are going to argue or discuss in your document. It should act as a step-by-step plan for your essay and illustrate how you will handle the essay question or assignment. Statements are often one line long and should contain a statement, with an argument up for discussion.
    • For example, you might be drafting a paper on gluten intolerance. A weak statement for this paper would then be: "There are positive and negative aspects to gluten, and some people develop gluten intolerance." This statement is vague and does not support the paper.
    • A stronger thesis for the paper would be, `` As a result of the use of GMO wheat as processed in food in North America, a growing number of Americans have developed gluten intolerance and related complaints. '' This thesis is specific and presents an argument that can be discussed in the paper.
  5. Include a source reference. The outline should also include a list of sources you will use for your essay. You need several sources for reference during your research that you can display in a bibliography or list of references. This step is only necessary if you are writing an academic essay or paper.
    • Your professor or teacher may ask you to create a bibliography in MLA or APA style. You need to organize your resources based on either style.

Part 3 of 3: Writing the concept

  1. Find a calm, focused environment in which to write. Avoid distractions around you by finding a quiet place at school, in the library, or at home. Turn off or mute your mobile. Turn off your WiFi and opt for pen and paper if you are easily distracted by games on your computer. Creating a quiet place to write makes it easier to focus on your concept.
    • Also, make sure the room is set to an ideal temperature for sitting and writing. You can also play some classical or jazz music in the background for the atmosphere and bring a snack with you to your writing spot so that you have something to nibble while writing.
  2. Start in the middle. It can be quite a task to come up with a great first paragraph or overwhelming opening line right away. Instead, start in the middle of the essay or story. Maybe you can start by writing the body parts of your essay first, or start with the complications for your protagonist. By starting in the middle you may get the words on the page a little easier.
    • You can also write the conclusion of the essay or the ending of the story before starting with the beginning. Many writing tutorials recommend writing your introductory paragraph last as you can then write a good introduction based on the piece as a whole.
  3. Do not worry about mistakes. A concept is not the time to want to be perfect. Make a nice mess during the concept and accept it if you make mistakes or if the concept is not completely finished. Continue writing despite unfortunate terms and clumsy phrases until you enter a writing mode. You can then address these issues once you are done with the rough design.
    • While you are in a flow, try not to read over what you have just written. Do not revisit each word before moving on to the next word and do not correct anything. Instead, focus on moving forward with the concept and getting your ideas down on paper.
  4. Use an active voice. You also need to get in the habit of using the active voice in your writing, even in your drafts. Avoid the passive voice, as a passive voice sounds uninteresting and boring to the reader. An active voice is direct, clear and concise, even in the concept phase.
    • An example: Instead of writing, 'It was decided by my mother that I would learn to play the violin when I was two,' use the active voice by placing the subject of the sentence before the verb, 'My mother decided that I would learn to play the violin when I was two. '
    • You should also avoid the verb "to be" in your writing, as this often results in a passive voice. Removing "being" and focusing on the active voice will ensure that your writing is clear and effective.
  5. Consult your overview if you get stuck. If you find yourself stuck during the draft phase, return to your overview and brainstorming session. You may then be able to figure out what content you want to add or include in the body of your essay at some point in the plot.
    • You can also go through the brainstorming ideas you wrote down before working on the concept, such as your cluster exercise or free writing. Reviewing these materials can help guide you through the writing process and help you focus on finalizing your draft.
    • You can take a break if you find that you can no longer write. A walk, nap, or even doing the dishes can help you focus on something else and give your brain some rest. You can then resume writing from a fresh approach.
  6. Review your rough design and adjust as needed. Once you're done with your draft, you can take a break from it and take a break. Take a short walk or do another activity that doesn't require thinking about the concept. You can then come back with a fresh look and go through what has been written. You are likely to notice issues or problems in your concept much more easily if you haven't looked at them for some time.
    • Read your concept aloud to yourself. Listen for phrases that sound unclear or confusing. Highlight or underline them so you know they need to be improved. Don't be afraid to modify entire paragraphs or lines of the draft. After all, it's a design, and it will only get better if you adjust it.
    • You can also read the rough draft aloud to someone else. Be willing to accept feedback and constructive criticism of the concept. A different perspective on your writing will make the end result much better.