Before the details and decorations can be added, you just have to get the frosting on the cake.

On cake decorating shows or YouTube channels, there are many examples of how cake decorators go through the process from start to finish.  They come up with a concept or ideas, bake the cakes in the right shapes, put the form of the cake together, and then get ready to add the fondant or buttercream base.  That first time through, they just drape the fondant over or put large amounts of frosting on the cake, and then can begin the process to smooth it over.  They don’t need to make sure that it’s perfect — they just have to get it started.

Getting all of the ideas out of your head and putting them on paper can be compared to this idea of draping the fondant over the cake base or slapping on large amounts of frosting without much fanfare or precision.  It’s not supposed to be perfect the first time!  It just needs to be started so that you can then go back to make changes and eventually put on finishing touches.

This is one of the most beneficial parts of drafting!  Don’t worry that the concepts don’t necessarily flow or that the ideas aren’t connected.  You don’t need to check that the source is integrated precisely or that that conclusion wraps everything up nicely.  This first draft is just a run-through, where you can determine what you want to say and how you want to say it.

This module will look at finding your argument in this drafting stage, stating the thesis so you can have a general focus point, writing with an awareness of others, and what basic elements should be covered in the first draft.