Summer Undergraduate Research Program - Fred Hutchinson ...

Audience Analysis
Another crucial element to consider when preparing any writing sample is the intended audience . When
preparing a research/goal statement, the author should consider the following:
• Who is the audience(s) for this writing product?
• What are their goals, concerns, priorities, needs?
• What is the setting, context, level of formality?
• What style and tone are appropriate for this audience and setting?
• What impression do I want to create?
• What are the key points that are essential for the reviewers to take away?
• In what order should those points unfold in this writing product?
For some, the hardest part of the writing process is just getting started . Here are some strategies to help you
overcome the anxiety associated with writing .
The Writing Process
• Be sure to spend a considerable amount of time in the “thinking phase .”
• Assemble all of your supporting materials .
• Consider how you will incorporate those materials into your writing sample .
• Envision your product .
• Start - somewhere .
• Consider this: your introduction is the first impression your argument will make on your reader. You
might want to write your introduction AFTER you’ve written the rest of your paper. Many writers find
that they have a better grip on their subject once they’ve done their first draft.
• Get your thoughts down on paper and then work on editing/revising!
Strategies for Overcoming the Fear of Writing
• 90% of writing is in the mental preparation before you ever set pen to page .
• Talk about the assignment with someone . This is part of the “mental preparation” stage .
• Make an outline or list of keywords and concepts to help organize your thinking .
• Think about your writing process, i .e . time of day, location, circumstances in which you write the best
(do you require absolute quiet or prefer a bustling environment, music, etc .?) and then utilize those to
your best advantage .
• Everything is easier once you start - so just start . Somewhere . It doesn’t have to be the beginning . “Go
with the flow” during the initial period of frustration and uncertainty of what to write.
• Nothing is cast in stone, so don’t worry about how it “sounds” at first.
• If you’re having a hard time documenting what you want to say, try explaining it verbally to someone .
Listen to yourself explain what it is you’re trying to say out loud – this will often help you pinpoint
what you’re trying to articulate on paper .
• If you do all of these things, and still are stuck, it may mean you haven’t spent enough time
envisioning and planning your writing product. You can’t rush this phase!
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