Approaches to Writing - Phase 5 Paper: First Version
What is the first version of a paper? The first version of a paper reflects your first attempt to write a complete paper. It is a document with a recognizable beginning, middle, and end. Some writers call it a "rough draft" because your ideas are in rough form at this stage and need lots of revision. Some call it a "discovery draft" because you are still discovering many of your ideas as you write. Others prefer to call it a "first version" because it represents a unique first glimpse at your argument. Even though your thinking will become clearer and sharper as you continue to conduct research, your first version is valuable because it captures--and preserves--your important first thoughts and provides a starting point for future reflection.

You are no longer pre-writing when you begin writing the first version of a paper. You are writing! After the long process of narrowing a broad subject into a tentative thesis statement, you are ready to build a reasoned argument, point by point, in support of your thesis. It's hard work, without a doubt, and most writers find it challenging to attempt to organize their ideas for the first time, especially for an argumentative paper.

Writing the first version of an argumentative paper is a matter of:

  1. declaring your thesis statement--usually at the beginning of the paper;

  2. providing at least three reasons, or main points, that explain why or how your thesis statement is true;

  3. developing several subpoints that elaborate on each of your main points;

  4. supporting each of your subpoints with evidence gathered from research and/or logical explanations

To successfully develop your thesis in this manner, you will need to write a paper with the following sections:

  • Introduction Paragraph, announcing your thesis statement and main points
  • Main Point # 1/Subpoint # 1 Paragraph
  • Main Point # 1/Subpoint # 2 Paragraph
  • Main Point # 1/Subpoint # 3 Paragraph (if you have one)
  • Main Point # 1/Subpoint # 4 Paragraph (if you have one)

  • Main Point # 2/Subpoint # 1 Paragraph
  • Main Point # 2/Subpoint # 2 Paragraph
  • Main Point # 2/Subpoint # 3 Paragraph (if you have one)
  • Main Point # 2/Subpoint # 4 Paragraph (if you have one)

  • Main Point # 3/Subpoint # 1 Paragraph
  • Main Point # 3/Subpoint # 2 Paragraph
  • Main Point # 3/Subpoint # 3 Paragraph (if you have one)
  • Main Point # 3/Subpoint # 4 Paragraph (if you have one)

  • Conclusion Paragraph, including a restatement of your thesis and main points

  • Works Cited page, with corresponding parenthetical references in the text of the paper

Depending on how many subpoints you have for each main point, you will end up with a research paper that contains eight to fourteen paragraphs. This will require five to six pages--which happens to be the minimum length requirement for your Paper: First Version (Assignment 5A)!

Any questions or comments for Kenn?
Where do I go next?
Go to "Assignment 5A."

Web Architect: Michael L. Geiger
Content by Kenn Pierson
3.16.98 - Last Updated:
©2000 M.L.Geiger - All Rights Reserved
URL: www.kjpierson.com/TEACHING/ENG101