The Writing Process- Stage 1 This handout covers CLO3 Practice pre-writing techniques. http://ect.ac.ae/elearn

Objectives Upon successful completion of this unit the learner should be able to: Identify and Explain free writing Employ the process of brainstorming Practice the process of clustering

3.1. Introduction :The Writing Process Stage One: Exploring / Experimenting/ Gathering Information To Stage Two: Writing the controlling idea/ Organizing and developing Support To Stage Three : Writing / Revising/ Proofreading The writing process consists of different strategies that will help you proceed from idea or purpose to the final paragraph or essay. These different strategies move from:

3.2.Stage One Strategies Stage one strategies are grouped under the heading prewriting . These strategies include Free writing Brainstorming Clustering Gathering information.

3.2.1. FREE WRITING It’s a prewriting technique in which a person writes continuously whatever comes to his/her mind without regard to grammar , spelling or punctuation.

Here are some rules for free writing: Give yourself a time limit . Write for ten or twenty minutes and then stop. Keep your hand moving until the time is up. Pay no attention to grammar , spelling , punctuation, neatness or style. When the time is up underline look over what you have written and underline ideas that might be worth.

Benefits of Free Writing It makes you more comfortable with the act of writing . It can help you discover things to write about. It can improve your formal writing. It can be fun.

Freewriting sample "Bad Drivers” Everyday when I drive to college I see bad drivers. Sometimes I’m mad. sometimes I’m irritated. Sometimes I’m scared. I think someone should do something about them. They should be given tickets. Some drivers are worse than others. Some bad drivers cause a lot of accidents. And get people all angry . some of them go into the emergency lanes on the freeways to pass when there’s jam. and then you've got the lane changers and the people that don’t signal and those who keep turning left when the lights turn red. Then you’ve got the people that drive too fast and too slow. And you’ve got the ones who don’t stop for pedestrians. All kinds of bad drivers are out there- young, old, male, female ,insane, angry and rushed.

Why a person is a hero or role model to you. 3.2.1. FREE WRITING Practice Write ideas, details, or information to support your response to the prompt. Please use the free writing techniques : Record anything that comes to mind. Why a person is a hero or role model to you.

3.2.2.Brainstorming It includes two main forms: A- Asking and answering questions. B- Listing.

A. Answer WH - questions : 3.2.2. Brainstorming Try to explore the topic you worked with in free writing by A. Answer WH - questions : First answering the six big questions: Who? What ? Where ? When ? Why ? How ? Then move to : B.Making a list

3.2.2. Brainstorming Practice (3) Brainstorm ideas, details, or information to support your response to the prompt. Please use the brainstorming techniques :brainstorming and making a list. Record anything that comes to mind. Explore the topic of "importance of college education” by asking and answering the six big questions and then by making a list.

3.2.3.Clustering Clustering allows you to explore many ideas as soon as they occur to you. In clustering you write your topic in the middle of the page and draw a circle around it and then put ideas that come into your mind in single bubbles. Continuing with you topic, develop a cluster of related ideas to your topic.

Example of Clustering Instill a love of education in my children Never stop learning Education Eventually get a PhD Learn to love whatever work I am doing My future Make them a priority work family Raise healthy, happy children Use the skills I have learned in as many ways as possible Stay close to my wife

What are the three main kinds of pollution? 3.2.3.Clustering Practice (5) Write ideas, details, or information to support your response to the prompt. Please use the clustering techniques . Record anything that comes to mind. What are the three main kinds of pollution?

3.2.4.Gathering Information Steps for gathering information: 1- Info Search- Finding-Collecting and recording. 2- Think about clarifying or refining your focus. 3- start organizing your notes. 4- Think about what your thesis statement will be.

1-Info Search:- finding, collecting and recording 3.2.4.Gathering Information 1-Info Search:- finding, collecting and recording This is the step most people think of when they think of “library research.” It’s a hunt for information in any available form ( book, CD, video ,internet) which is pertinent to your chosen focus. Once you know the focus of your research , there are lots of tools and strategies to help you find and collect information you need. Your information should be focused and specific.

2-Think about clarifying or refining your focus 3.2.4.Gathering Information 2-Think about clarifying or refining your focus As you gather information about your focused topic , you may find new information which prompts you to refine , clarify , extend or narrow your focus. Stay flexible and adjust your information search to account for the changes, widening or narrowing your search , or heading down a slightly different path to follow a new lead.

3- Start organizing your notes 3.2.4.Gathering Information 3- Start organizing your notes Start organizing your notes into logical groups. You may notice a gap in your research , or a more heavy weighting to one aspect of the subject than what you had intended. Starting to organize as you gather information can save an extra trip to the library.

4- Think about your thesis statement 3.2.4.Gathering Information 4- Think about your thesis statement The thesis statement is the main point of your paper. The type of thesis statement you’ll be making depends a lot on what type of paper you’re writing – a report , an issue analysis ,or another type. As you gather specific information and refine your focus, intentionally look for a main point to your findings. Sometimes , a thesis emerges very obviously from the material , and other times you may struggle to bring together the parts into a sensible whole

References Paragraphs and Essays with integrated Readings By Lee Brandon &Kelly Brandon   Boston,USA