4.3 Thoughts on Drafting

What parts of the book’s advice on the above bulleted topics are helpful for writing in this genre? What parts of the book’s advice on these topics might not be so helpful, considering the genre you’re writing in?

Drafting a Thesis Statement

The advice on a thesis statement is to pick something concise and manageable that accurately represents my reading. This should be achievable since my topic isn't too complicated in terms of scope. It can also fit into a QRG format.

Writing paragraphs in PIE format

This is actually good advice and would help organize ideas. Especially with a QRG, points need to be brief and simple and this sort of format helps with that. The only modification may be that each 'section' or 'heading' would be in PIE format rather than each paragraph.

Writing introductions

The advice is starting with something like a quotation, surprising fact, anecdote, or rhetorical question. I believe I do this with a Terminator 2 reference to open up the essay. I agree that captivating an audience quickly is important, especially since QRG would be an online article, and it's easy to lose readers quickly if you don't engage them online.

Organizing information

A simple 'beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, conclusion' probably wouldn't work in a QRG due to its list-like format. A QRG reads more like a question-and-answer session than a typical narrative or essay. Because of this, organization between points and paragraphs is different. The 'flow' from one point to another is usually interrupted by a big, bold heading into the next topic. It's not that flow into each paragraph isn't important to a QRG, it's just not going to work the same as a typical essay.

Writing conclusions

Due to the Q & A format of a QRG, your conclusion may have to fit into your last bullet point, or an appendix to the end of it. The advice of 'So What?', 'circle back', etc. still applies, it'll have to just fit into the format of the QRG. It won't change too much from the books advice other than that.

EDIT: After reading Andrew and Anthony's blog, most people discuss the PIE format.  Andrew supported the format for organization while Anthony thought it would make the article too wordy.  I lean towards Andrew's thinking, but I can see Anthony's perspective.

Things that need addressing:

1. Work on transitions between sections.
2. Better organizing through use of PIE format.
3. More visuals or other things to engage readers.