Diagnostic Essay

 

Lian Prost-Hughart

Struyk-Bonn

Writing 121

September 26, 2014

Diagnostic Essay

I remember my first essay. I was in Kindergarten, and I used all my red crayons to write in big blocky letters the story that popped into my head about an ant who found strawberry. I have used the same method ever since. I start my essay with an idea, a hook, and then I begin writing, editing as I go.

 

The first step of my writing process is thinking up an idea. Sometimes inspiration strikes, and I itch for a pen. Mostly though, I prefer my teacher to guide my writing with a list of topics or a prompt. As soon as I’ve established my topic, I make a quick bullet list with any words or phrases I want to include. When writing a research paper, this is when I begin researching and writing down quotes I plan to use.

 

As soon as I know the direction I want the essay to go, I start looking for a hook. The hook sets the tone of the piece, depending on the message I am trying to convey. After I have a hook, I begin writing, using my bullet list as an outline.

 

One important part of my process is to edit as I go. I do not often stop and edit what I have already written in another paragraph, instead as I write each sentence, I try to move around the words until they fit the image I had in my head. After my first draft is done, I go on to revise the essay, taking time to read it outloud to myself. If it is long, I will print it out and, using a bright pen, fix any grammatical errors. Whenever in doubt, I go to someone who can give it a an honest appraisal. Finally, after one final proofread, I change it into MLA format and send it off.