The Writing Process

What is it? In Canada, we teach students to write in a special way. Brainstorming Outline Rough Draft Peer-Editing/Self-Editing Final Draft

What is it? This week, we will focus on the first two steps. Next week, we will do the final three steps. Brainstorming Outline Rough Draft Peer-Editing/Self-Editing Final Draft

BRAINSTORMING

BRAINSTORMING When you BRAINSTORM, you put all of your ideas on a paper. Some are good ideas. Some are bad ideas.

BRAINSTORMING Brainstorming looks like many things.

BRAINSTORMING You might ask a friend for help, or the teacher.

For this class, we will brainstorm 3 MAIN POINTS. We will try to think of more DETAILS.

Main Points Let’s look at an example: Topic Sentence: Birds are the best pets for several reasons.

Main Points You will normally have three main points. Each main point should have an organizing transition word. First, second, third… One advantage, another advantage, a final benefit… Topic Sentence: Birds are the best pets for several reasons. Main Point 1: First of all, unlike dogs or cats, birds do not make much poop. Main Point 2: Secondly, birds will not get as sad if you leave the house for the day.

Details Finally, you will have DETAILS. Details are the most common. They are the most specific. They explain and prove your point. Topic Sentence: Birds are the best pets for several reasons. Main Point 1: First of all, unlike dogs or cats, birds do not make much poop.

Details Details can be: Examples More explanation of the main point Your own experience Comparison to in your country Topic Sentence: Birds are the best pets for several reasons. Main Point: First of all, unlike dogs or cats, birds do not make much poop.

Details Details can be: Examples (Very specific!) More explanation of the main point Your own experience Comparison to in your country Topic Sentence: Birds are the best pets for several reasons. Main Point: First of all, unlike dogs or cats, birds do not make much poop. Detail: For example, a budgie has poop the size of a pencil eraser, while a dog can make poop the size of your hand!

Details Details can be: Examples More explanation of the main point Your own experience Comparison to in your country Topic Sentence: Birds are the best pets for several reasons. Main Point: First of all, unlike dogs or cats, birds do not make much poop. Detail: Cat and dog owners must clean up every day, while a bird owner must only clean the poop once or twice a week.

Details Details can be: Examples More explanation of the main point Your own experience Comparison to in your country Topic Sentence: Birds are the best pets for several reasons. Main Point: First of all, unlike dogs or cats, birds do not make much poop. Detail: My sister had a cat and its poop was very smelly, while my friend’s bird made no smell with its poop.

Details Details can be: Examples More explanation of the main point Your own experience Comparison to in your country Topic Sentence: Birds are the best pets for several reasons. Main Point: First of all, unlike dogs or cats, birds do not make much poop. Detail: In France, there is dog poop on many sidewalks, but bird poop is much less common.

OUTLINING

OUTLINING When you OUTLINE, you choose your favourite information from the brainstorm and organize it. Which main point is first? Which details will you keep?

1- Makes us stressed a) if you’re confused b) very unhealthy c) X time to study

1- Makes us stressed a) if you’re confused b) very unhealthy c) X time to study 2- doesn’t help us learn a) boring b) many students cheat

OUTLINING The OUTLINE should be very simple and fast! You are just COPYING from your brainstorm! DO NOT WRITE SENTENCES! eat food = GOOD We eat lots of food. =BAD China more uncommon =GOOD In China, it’s more uncommon. = BAD

OUTLINING This is because we want to save time. You will write perfect sentences for your rough draft. eat food = GOOD We eat lots of food. =BAD China more uncommon =GOOD In China, it’s more uncommon. = BAD