Writing citated works is an add on to what has already been written. You, as the writer, are filling in the gaps you feel need to be filled. Now the job is to do so. Responding to another writing is a call to action, the first step. Knowing there is more to be added on and filled in is the identification of knowledge you have or have researched. Responding is the squeezing into an already present conversation. 

Step two is to know the value in your writing and plan for it. You know from step one that there is knowledge to share. This brings value to the writing that is being created. While writing, cue in the reader. Let them know the plan for the writing and also how it is organized. This can bring the readers attention to your writing. 

It is important to remember that citated works also hold opinions. Yours specifically. It is important, in this third step and why it is early in the writing process steps, to acknowledge and understand that there will be disagreements in the work you will turn in at an academic discourse. There will be disagreements from peers, friends, and even professors. Acknowledging this and accepting their disagreement will bring peace of mind and understanding to the writing process.

Step four is a bold step. Adopting a voice of authority is where the curve ball strikes from high school to college. This voice comes from the verbiage used and a confident stance in your point and knowledge. The easiest way to tap into this voice is to know your knowledge and that your point is adding to the conversation (step one) and that you are confident in where you stand. Writing becomes fluent with the confidence in the point being made and the verbiage is used in a strong manner. 

Now this may seem like an obvious step. However, a lot of the time, when we begin writing we just write. But in the end, vocabulary is important. Using audience appropriate terminology and vocabulary will bring the work to a powerful point. There are many sources online to source from that will elevate the vocabulary you are accustomed to using. 

The final step to this process is to use the data and citations. After all the steps in how to write and how to create a more intensive work, then cite. The work is just as important if not more important then the citation. Use the data in images, graphs, tables, citations, etc. in your final steps of your writing. 

Question: What strategies and resources did you use and recommend to first year college students?

Response from interviewee: “We live in an awesome modern world. This means technology and accessible research is at our fingertips. A few clicks and we have an answer or something close to it. This being said, I recommend podcasts about the topic with reliable speakers with the knowledge, YouTube videos with reliable speakers and videographers with the knowledge, websites ending in a .org or .Edu, and AI. I use AI to check my spelling, wording, grammar, format, and to break things down for me from what I have already written. These are only a few resources, but I love the ones I listed because I know they are reliable. As for strategies, I would recommend putting everything you want to write about in bullet points before even writing. After completing this list, remove or add bullet points until the very general outline has been outlined. Another strategy would be to just write. Write every thought, feeling, and quote out. Get all of the energy and thoughts on the topic out of your mind and on paper. Pull from that afterwards to write a more formal first draft. That would be my recommendation for first year students.”

The simple things she listed in her strategies and resources list is how she managed her works.

Question: What is some advice you would give to first year writing students while they attempt to identify activities and practices that they may undertake or take on before beginning their writing?

Response from interviewee: “The advice I would give would be to engage in something creative before even writing. Or even a hobby or activity that the student or you enjoy.” 

Question: Why would you recommend engaging in a hobby or preferred activity before writing?

Response from interviewee: “The brain is strong. We all know this. It can convince us we are sick, convince us we are healthy. Happy or sad. Anxious or calm. It’s all about regulation. Regulation is what keeps the brain continuing in a calm manner. Starting with a creative outlet regulates the brain, at least it does for me. I feel I have gotten all the excessive energy out and in a journal, a song, or drawing. This helps me not write, first of all, gibberish. Second, it helps me not write without authority and only write about my thoughts and experiences.”