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A Zero Draft is your first attempt to assemble
thoughts related to your research topic or question. It is a
more or less unstructured piece of writing that flows quickly
from your own mind as you reflect upon your topic, your questions,
and your reading. A Zero Draft is focused freewriting ... or
the very next step.
A Zero Draft is not unlike two steps Peter
Elbow uses in his "Direct Writing Process":
- Write down as quickly as you can everything
you can think of that pertains to your topic or your theme.
- Don't let yourself repeat or digress or get
lost, but don't worry about the order of what you write, the
wording, or about crossing out what you decide is wrong.
(Writing with Power. New
York: Oxford U P, 1981. 30-31.)
- Begin by placing your topic in mind. Focus.
- Begin with a question, a wonder, or an insight.
- Begin by writing what you think you know
about this subject.
- Begin by wondering about what you need to
know for this subject.
- Begin by arguing with yourself or one of
your authors.
- Begin by remembering a key moment, image,
or idea from your reading.
- Begin by explaining why you chose this topic.
- Begin by pretending that you have all of
the answers, that you know much more than you actually do.
- Begin by imagining that you are explaining
all of this to a very young person.
- Just begin.
Does it have to be typed?
No it doesn't, but it should be legible (for your sake as well
as teacher's). Many people prefer the speed of a keyboard for
this process, but you may be one who needs the tactile stimulation
of pen in hand.
How long does it have to be?
Because it is the outpouring of your brain as it zeros in on
your subject, it should be a substantial reflection of all that
your brain can generate about that subject. Much, most, or all
of what you write in this draft may be eventually trashed. This
is part of a discovery process. The more you write here, the
better will be your chances of uncovering good stuff, real thought-treasure.
Notes from Peter Elbow, Writing
Without Teachers
Why Freewriting Is Important
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