Chapter 2 suggests that you put notes, press releases, and wire copy aside before writing. Why is this a good idea?

Question

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The Answer is Chapter 2 suggests that you put notes, press releases, and wire copy aside before writing because this practice helps to ensure that your writing is original and not overly influenced by the language or structure of these sources. Here are several reasons why this is a good idea:

1. **Avoiding Plagiarism**: By setting aside these materials, you reduce the risk of inadvertently copying phrases or sentences, which could lead to plagiarism. Writing from your own understanding forces you to process the information and express it in your own words.

2. **Encouraging Comprehension**: When you rely too heavily on notes or press releases, you may not fully grasp the subject matter. By putting these aids aside, you are compelled to understand the material thoroughly before you begin to write, which can lead to a clearer and more insightful presentation of the information.

3. **Developing Your Voice**: Original writing requires a unique voice, which can be stifled by sticking too closely to source materials. By distancing yourself from these documents, you can better develop your own style and tone, which will make your writing more engaging and distinctive.

4. **Critical Thinking**: Writing without immediately referencing notes or other materials encourages critical thinking. You have to consider what is most important and how to structure your writing, rather than simply regurgitating information in the order it was presented to you.

5. **Improving Memory Recall**: The act of recalling information from memory can reinforce your understanding and retention of the material. This can be particularly useful when you need to discuss the topic or answer questions about it in the future.

6. **Ensuring Accuracy**: While it may seem counterintuitive, setting aside your materials temporarily can actually help you focus on accuracy. When you return to your notes or sources to verify the information after drafting your piece, you are more likely to catch discrepancies or errors than if you were just copying information over.

7. **Streamlining the Writing Process**: Without the clutter of too many sources in front of you, you can write more freely and efficiently. This can help you create a more coherent narrative or argument, as you're not constantly stopping to check different documents.

In summary, setting aside notes, press releases, and wire copy before writing is a good practice because it promotes originality, comprehension, personal voice, critical thinking, memory recall, accuracy, and efficiency in the writing process.

Chapter 2 Suggests That You Put Notes, Press Releases, and Wire