Take Ownership

Successful writers have a strong personal investment in what they write. Sometimes this investment comes naturally. You might be interested in a topic, committed to achieving your purposes as a writer, intrigued by the demands of writing for a particular audience, or looking forward to the challenges of writing a new type of document, such as a Web site or a magazine article. At times, however, you need to create a sense of personal investment by looking for connections between your interests and your writing project. This can be a challenge, particularly when you’ve been assigned a project that normally wouldn’t interest you.

The key to investing yourself in a project you wouldn’t normally care about is to make it your own. Look for ways in which your project can help you pursue your personal, professional, and academic interests. Consider how it might help you meet new people or develop new skills. Or look for opportunities associated with the project, such as learning how to build arguments or how to design documents. Your goal is to find something that appeals to your interests and helps you grow as a writer.

To take ownership of a writing project, carry out the following activities: