Transcript The Writing Process

Stages of Writing
Prewriting
Drafting
Revising
Editing
Prewriting
 Prewriting is the process of coming up with ideas for
your essay.
 This is not formal, polished writing.
 There are many prewriting techniques, but we will be
discussing:
 Brainstorming
 Freewriting
 Clustering
 Outlining
Brainstorming
Freewriting
Clustering
 A way of narrowing your thoughts by connecting your
ideas
 Great techniques for visual learners
Outlining
 Outlining comes after you already have the ideas
for your paper.
 It is a way of laying out your thoughts before you
begin writing.
 Use bullet points to write down each concept you
want to mention in the order you want to mention
them.
 For more detail, see the Writing Center’s handout
on outlining.
Drafting
 The draft is the first attempt to organize information.
 Typically called a rough draft for a reason.
 YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES!
 Your essay structure does not need to be perfect.
Revising
 Reworking your essay so that the ideas are expressed in
the best way possible.
 Revising is not the editing stage.
Global Revision
Content
Structure
Thesis
Strong supporting points
Local Revision
Grammar, spelling, etc.
After Revising, Type!
 After revising mistakes in your handwritten rough
draft, you may type your paper.
 Remember to give your essay a title.
Editing
 Editing is eliminating punctuation, grammar, and
spelling mistakes that show up when you are typing
your paper.
 Should be saved for the end of the writing process.
 SpellCheck can be a false friend! Sometimes, it is very
helpful – other times, it doesn’t understand exactly
what you are trying to say and will ask you to change
things that don’t really need changing.
Checklist for Editing
Have you read your work aloud to listen for
problems?
Did you check every possible misspelling in a
dictionary?
Have you avoided run-ons?
Are you using verbs, pronouns, and modifiers
correctly?
Have you used your punctuation correctly?
Are your capital letters correct?
Essay Requirements
 Remember, an essay has three parts:
 Introductory paragraph: gives an overview of what you
are going to say and the points you are going to make.
 Body: 3 paragraphs that tell about 3 things. The body
should have lots of examples and details.
 Conclusion paragraph: Sums up what you have said in
your body paragraphs. Should end with a bang that will
make your essay memorable.
“Why I Say ‘No’ to Drugs and
Alcohol”
 Write an essay about why you say “no” to drugs and
alcohol or persuading someone else to say “no.”
 Introductory paragraph should introduce the fact that
drugs and alcohol are bad for you.
 3 body paragraphs should tell about 3 separate reasons
why someone should say “no” to drugs and alcohol.
 Conclusion should sum up all your main points and
leave the reader with the feeling that they should say
“no!”
Contest Info
 Essay must be less than 500 words (Word will show
you a word count @ the bottom when you type your
essay)
 IF you want to submit your essay, let me know before
October 1!! PLEASE SUBMIT!
 There are prizes:
 1st - $300
 2nd - $200
 3rd - $125
 4th - $75
Steps
 1. Brainstorm what your 3 reasons to say “no” will be
 2. Hand write your rough draft – don’t worry too much
about errors in spelling, punctuation, etc.
 3. Read through your paper to change errors and ADD
DETAILS.
 4. Have a friend read through your paper and make
suggestions.
 5. Type your essay on a word document; consider any
errors Spellcheck points out. Polish your essay.