When writing texts, two basic methods can be distinguished: On the one hand, one can approach writing in a planned, systematic, and structured manner. Composing complex scientific texts for university usually requires prior planning and structuring. On the other hand, one can also fill a blank page spontaneously and associatively to let ideas arise in the flow of writing, elaborate them or develop them further. This can be especially helpful, for example, if you are not sure exactly how to proceed – in other words, cannot see the forest for the trees.
Both approaches to writing have their justification as well as advantages and disadvantages; depending on one’s personal way of working, both can be used specifically during the writing process to reach the goal, the finished text.
In a nutshell: What is a Blitz-Exposé?
The writing exercise Blitz-Exposé, which supports students in the conceptualization of their text projects, is characterized by integrating the two approaches mentioned above; this is what makes it especially effective: The exercise aims to write the first outline of a short exposé, but to write more or less spontaneously, to get the text down on paper straightforwardly and as quickly as possible. Both the starting points and the purpose of a writing project, such as a term paper or thesis, are reviewed and defined as well. In addition, students learn about the benefits of a written project outline, which helps them plan writing projects during their studies.
Even for you as a teacher, there are certain advantages of letting your students write an exposé for study-related papers: Students who have written an exposé are well prepared for office hours in which the feasibility of a project is clarified or the first outline of a text project is discussed. Further, an exposé is always useful for identifying a project’s focus or potential weak points early on.
You can provide the following step-by-step instructions to your students; download them here as a PDF file.
Step by step: Blitz-Exposé
An exposé is a written project outline that helps to plan and prepare your term paper/project paper/thesis in a targeted and considerate manner. The writing exercise Blitz-Exposé allows you to write such a plan spontaneously, as quickly as possible, and in complete sentences. Since you are writing only for yourself, it is (for once) not a matter of linguistic correctness or stylistically appropriate wording. Rather, it is about reflecting associatively on various key questions and recording your answers in writing.
