Chp 2, 3 and 4

The Writing Process – Chp 2 Understanding the assignment is fundamentally the first successful movement in the writing process Ask questions, get to the point of the assignment, and ensure you comprehend what is expected of you When selecting a subject, discuss it with me, ensure it will have a successful path, and be willing to explore new ideas about it Collecting information is easy; shifting through it is hard. Be prepared to research effectively (more on that later!)

In the early stages, successful writing looks loose and disorganized In the early stages, successful writing looks loose and disorganized. You may have ideas and passions regarding a topic, but unsure of how to apply them. Start with a strong thesis that rests in collected information (i.e. arguable) Develop an outline (very general) When you start writing, the introduction is usually written first. Not only does the introduction set the stage for the bulk of the paper, it also justifies why the paper is being written Think about your paper as if it were being read by a scholarly society

Start drafting the middle of your paper Develop individual paragraphs that confirm your thesis and meet the rubric’s criteria Revise your ideas, organization, and voice as it applies to the rubric and after the drafting session ends Review with peers and be ready to digest constructive criticism

Proofread for correctness, but don’t get caught up in the little things The bulk of your paper should be greater than its parts Review the rubric and prepare for submission Ensure you are meeting MLA expectations and appropriate scholarly behaviors

College writing typically meets WPA outcome guidelines However, it will also include: strong ideas (relevant ideas), logical organization, effective voice, appropriate diction, and professional document design.

Chp 3 – Planning Ensure you are participating in the rhetorical situation: 1) ethos, pathos, logos 2) identify your audience 3) identify your purpose for this topic 4) how should I form this assignment (genre) 5) what is the context of this assignment Focus on a general area, then find limited topics within the situation. Place yourself as a writer in that situation, even if you are not involved directly. Thesis statements are living statements. They are not true because you write them, nor are they untrue because you failed to prove them. The thesis in your text should constantly be either confirmed, put up for debate, or questioned outright.

A strong thesis will take a general topic like community HOA fees, make a specific claim or take a specific focus, such as those fees being to high, and writing an effective, highly succinct sentence: HOA fees are too high in the community resulting in …(residents having less opportunity to provide for their families) (et. More?)

Drafting Grab your books are take notes/read chp 4!