Developing Ideas: Moves Writers Make
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these problems! Use "howevers" to set the stage for your theories and ideas. You will supply from your own thinking and
analysis whatever is to be on the far side of the “however.”
Contextualize!
Everything must be explained, illustrated with examples, put into context for the reader.
Consider the title of your paper as an opportunity.
You can do things with your title that complement, accentuate, surprise, emphasize—there are lots of possibilities.
Follow through on the promises you make to the reader.
We call this “developing your point.” It’s where the bulk of the writing comes from. Rise expectations and meet
them—this is the rhythm of good, clear, forward-moving writing.
Create, borrow, modify, refine key terms.
You need terms with which to set up and make your arguments. Get them from primary and secondary sources, but make them your own through definitions or new creations. Some analyses lend themselves to the creation of new terms or phrases.
Look for a new way of thinking, reading, or writing.
Others have done certain things, covered certain ground. Where does your work fit in? What space can you carve
out for you to fill? Use quotations from other thinkers on this topic to show where your ideas fit in.
Determine the sections or steps or parts of the project.
This strategy will help you get the writing started and an organized approach will help you guide and meet readers’
expectations. If you actually build in subtitles in the draft, you always have the option of taking them out once you’ve
accomplished your writing goals.
Let your introduction establish common ground and destabilize the reader.
Tell us what we need to know to enter the world of your essay. Make us see that there are problems that need solving. Raise for us the questions that made you choose this direction. Then tell us how you plan to solve
problems! Use “howevers” to set the stage for your theories and ideas. You will supply from your own thinking and
analysis whatever is to be on the far side of the “however.”