Learning by Writing

Step 1

Pick a topic

Step 2

Read and/or discuss with others (a bit)

Step 3

Explain and defend my current, incredibly premature hypothesis, in writing (or conversation)

Step 4

Find and list weaknesses in my case

Step 5

Pick a subquestion and do more reading/discussing

Step 6

Revise my claim / switch sides

Step 7

Repeat steps 3-6 a bunch

Step 8

Get fe... See more

I went through several cycles of “I think I know what I really think and I’m ready to write,” followed by “No, having started writing, I’m unsatisfied with my answer on this point and think a bit more investigation could change it.” So I kept alternating between writing and reading, but was always reading with the aim of getting back to writing.