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Research Writer Interview With Sheena

Essential Research Grounded In Facts

What do you think makes a good piece of writing?

A good piece of writing must start with a good thesis. I always need a good thesis before I start writing, because it directs the mind down the proper avenues. A focused mind is a clear mind, and clarity of thought is absolutely necessary for good writing. The second essential is thorough research. A good thesis can also lead to a spurious essay if facts are not allowed to guide it. In my case, all essential research comes before the commencement of writing. Without proper research there is no thesis. The thesis itself must be grounded in facts, for otherwise we have a piece of unintended fiction. And of course, the piece must be free of plagiarism. It is not only unfair to copy, but the habit of copying dulls creativity in the end.

How do you manage deadlines?

When my client has given me a deadline, I calculate two thirds of the time, and then set myself this target in which to complete the work. So, for example, if three days is the allotted time, I will aim to finish in two days. It usually takes half the time for me to research and the other half to write.

Do you think that the procedures to check on plagiarism are adequate? What other measures can be taken?

I have never actually used plagiarism myself, but I know that it is prone to some errors. For example, it detects plagiarism in bibliographical entries. Some of my papers were reported as plagiarized based on birth dates, residency information, etc, but were cleared when examined by the human eye. I don't think the task is possible at all without such great software, but I also believe there must be a human element before anyone is reported to have plagiarized. The software is bound to identify ridiculous similarities as plagiarism. For example, there aren't many variations on the statement 'Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899,' and yet the software will detect this as plagiarism if it detects two instances of the same phrasing.

Does professional essay writing ever become a chore or a drudge?

If it did then the task would have become impossible, at least in my case. Every act of writing asks for creative stimulation, and as such can never become a drudge. I don't know if anyone can make a piece of writing by banging out a series of ready-made expressions. Writing and research necessarily stimulates thought, is always springing new perspectives, and delivering unexpected questions to ponder. This is why I enjoy writing. There are times when the deadline is too close for comfort, and then writing can become a nightmare. That's why I always go to great lengths to keep the deadline at bay. I have also noticed that the extra tension sometimes goes on to produce my best work, where blinding flashes of inspiration appear at the deadliest hours. When that happens then the satisfaction obtained in the end is only the greater.

What else do you get from writing, apart from the satisfaction?

Knowledge. Custom writing is an ideal base on which to broaden your knowledge. Left to our own devices, we tend to read only what we like. Custom writing forces you to do research into other areas, and afterwards you realize that there was more you needed to know than you initially thought. During less busy times I am sometimes forced to take on unusual projects which are currently available, but it normally turns out to be extremely worthwhile in the end, because I have learnt so much.

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