I read an essay on essay writing by Jordan Peterson. I loved it. I’ve been looking for a process for writing. My recent 30-day writing challenge is helping reestablish my writing habit, but it’s not great for deliberate practice. The essay writing process feels arduous and challenging – exactly what is needed for deliberate practice. I realise that I only go through perhaps 15% of Peterson’s process in past writing. I hope to change that.
In this post I want to highlight the essay writing process that Peterson outlines in my own words.
- First, choose a topic. From that topic, form a question. Your essay will answer this question.
- Create a reading list on that topic and question. Highlight and take notes. Let the question change if need be as you read.
- Form an outline. Use a stock introduction and conclusion. Then fill in 10-15 points for the outline. Each point will be one paragraph. Each paragraph no longer than 10 sentences.
- Start writing. Don’t edit and write at the same time. Write first – as much as you like. Edit later.
- Put every sentence on a new line. Rewrite each one. Cut out all unnecessary words. As you do this, you can reorder the outline as you see fit.
- Reread your edited essay. On a fresh page, write out your outline from memory. Memory serves as a filter.
- Repeat the previous two steps. It can be worthwhile to come back to the essay after a few days. Repeat until you cannot remove anymore words.
- Publish.
I like this process because it is how I naturally learn. Ask a question, find the answer. The essay writing makes it formal. It prevents half-hearted answers. This is the self-education process I seek: assign myself essays on topics that I am intensely curious about. Publish it online. Get feedback. Repeat.
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