Louise Hudgins
English 111-14
May, 1999: Final Exam
The Write Recipe
On any occasion, when hunger calls I can usually prepare something that is not only edible, but also quite palatable for my guests. Sometimes it's necessary to throw a portion of meat and cheese together between two slices of bread to satisfy an immediate hunger. At other times, I may slather on mayonnaise, mustard--or both--add a crisp leaf of lettuce, a slice of tomato, and a crunchy pickle. Although stomachs are no fuller than without the added variety of tastes and textures, taste buds are satisfied more thoroughly. The same is true of my writing style. The amount of time, the intended audience and what needs to be said determine how much preparation goes into my writing. I’m not a gourmet chef, nor am I a professional writer, but I apply a similar process whether I’m preparing a meal or a written assignment. The writing process that I used this semester can be compared to my recipe for home-cooked barbecue.
Barbecue starts out as a huge hunk of cold, raw meat, but ends up so hot and tender that even when piled high on a potato roll, it melts in your mouth. The "hunk" of meat is your topic, frequently a broad one. You may even have "cold" feelings about the topic to begin with. The first step in this amazing transformation is to find a pan with a lid large enough to completely encompass the meat. In writing, your first challenge is to find a thesis statement, the underlying theme that will envelop your idea. Place the covered pan on a low heat and allow simmering for several hours. Keep your topic in the corners of your mind as you go through the day, and think about ways that your perspective might add flavor to it. At this point in your writing, you should have a rough draft in your mind, or on paper, which includes "semi-cooked" ideas on your theme. You will notice that as the meat is allowed to simmer, it becomes smaller, just as your own thoughts about the topic become more focused.
When the meat is thoroughly cooked, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool. This makes it easier to trim away the fat. Examine your draft. You may have some excess that can be trimmed away. Remember though, that some fat is necessary to keep the meat from becoming dried out. I use two forks to break the big "hunks" of meat into bite-size pieces. Likewise with your writing, filter it through your thesis statement to make sure that every idea is well-thought out and is fitting for this paper.
Having removed the fat, place the trimmed meat in a slow cooker and add your favorite barbecue sauce. My favorite is "K.C Masterpiece – Honey Smoke," because it adds sweetness. Allow the final draft to be absorbed by your style, and remember, "Honey attracts more bees." In other words, make it personal; allow the audience to endear themselves to you and your writing. Keep the mixture on a very low heat and stir and taste occasionally. I continue to tweak my papers throughout the process, sometimes allowing trusted friends to taste the almost-finished product.
Before serving, add a drop or two of Tabasco sauce to spice it up, and a dollop of cole slaw to cool it off. Use a similar technique to enhance your paper. Sometimes, it’s necessary to embellish your writing by exaggerating your personal experiences. Adding humor is one way to cool off a hot topic.
Finally, putting parsley or some other garnish on the plate for color and appearance is like running spell check and putting the commas in the right places. In most cases, with or without the parsley, it is the main dish that satisfies the appetite (except if you're serving your English Professor!). The parsley just makes it look more professional and complete.
Follow this recipe and not only will you have a delicious barbecue sandwich, but also step-by-step instructions on how to write a paper that your audience will devour!
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