Five Steps to Writing a Braided Segmented Essay

Arnold Papadopoulos reports:

"A braided segmented essay weaves together different styles of writing on a common theme and separates them by pauses of blank space...The purpose is to approach the essay indirectly so that the reader is revealed information in a surprising way with wider[-]reaching effects...[Choose] a subject. An essay expresses the informed opinion of the author. It isn't journalism or a scientific report. Choose something that you know about because it excites...you. It will be easier to write about if you already have a love for the subject...[Choose] at least three different styles of writing...Write on the subject in different styles of writing. This will take time because you aren't writing one direct essay but approaching a subject with different styles...Gather all the different writings you have done on the subject, and look for a common linking theme between them. Are there any recurring similarities? Are there any glaring opposites? Does one piece of writing seem to echo or answer a question raised in another? Ask yourself these questions as you reread the pieces, and mark the links where you see them...Cut and paste your gathered writings into a logical sequence separated by paragraph breaks. Choose the best written parts and 'braid' them together by putting down one paragraph of one style followed by a different style. Between them, leave space to give the reader a chance to pause and think about them before moving to the next. Try to end with a powerful paragraph that will stay with the reader."