The Writing Process: Drafting/Revising/Editing Take out your notes from yesterday we will continue to talk about the writing process. Drafting
Ways to Start Drafting Ways to Start Drafting Read over what you’ve already written Freewrite Write scribbles or type nonsense Pretend you’re writing to a friend about a subject Describe an image that represents your subject Write a paragraph Skip the opening and star in the middle Start writing the part that you understand best or feel most strongly about Ways to Start Drafting
Things to consider while drafting: Handwriting? Write on 1 side of the paper. Leave big margins. Devise symbols for shortcuts. Get flow first, then add support. Omitting something? Put an X by it, but do not permanently delete. Eventually make sure to type – SAVE SAVE SAVE! Keep everything!
Ways to keep drafting Set aside enough time Work in a quiet place Make yourself comfortable If you must stop working, write down what you you expect to do next Be as fluid as possible, and don’t worry about mistakes Keep going Skip over sticky spots, leave blanks, put alternating words/ideas/phrasings in brackets so you can go back and consider them later If an idea pops up at random jot it down somewhere and come back to it later Resist self-criticism Don’t worry about style, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. Don’t feel constrained by your thesis or your outline
A Revision Process for Your Drafts Rethink – Purpose, Thesis, and Audience Rethink – Ideas and Evidence Rethink – Organization Rethink – Clarity and Style Edit – Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling Proofread – Entire Essay
The difference between revision and editing Reviewing the CONTENT Fixing the MECHANICS
Why students are afraid to revise . . .
Revising the first draft Revision – “re-seeing” Looking anew at ideas, details, their relationships and arrangements In revision you look out to your readers, trying to anticipate how they will see your work
Myths About Revision An isolated stage in the writing process. Revision IS Revision is NOT An isolated stage in the writing process. Limited to editing and proofreading Not a punishment A continuous process throughout the writing process. Needs to include larger issues (focus, organization & development) Make something that you are proud of, not just something you have to do.
How to revise? Gain a distance from your work Take a break Ask someone to read and react to your draft Read your draft in a new medium Outline your draft Listen to your draft
Purpose, Thesis, and Audience Have I fulfilled the objectives of the assignment? Did I follow the directions carefully? Do I understand the purpose of my essay? Does my essay reflect my clearly understood purpose by offering an appropriately narrowed and focused thesis? Do I have a clear picture of my audience? Have I addressed both my purpose and the needs of the audience?
Organization Does the organization serve my purpose? Are my major points logically organized so that there is an easy transition between them? Is there flow between ideas? Are any parts of my essay out of proportion? Does my conclusion end my discussion thoughtfully?
Clarity and Style Is each sentence clear and precise? Are any sentences unnecessarily wordy? Any sentences running on too long? Do my word choices make sense? Connotative words? Can I show in any places? Can I eliminate any unnecessary jargon or language that’s inappropriate? Is my voice authentic?
Editing for Errors Read aloud. Know your enemies (what’s your weakness?) Read backwards Learn tricks Eliminate common irritants (homonyms) Use your tools
I’m stuck. Now what? Give yourself time to write. Try talking about your paper. Break the paper into manageable bits. Start writing an easy part, to get the juices flowing. Let’s make a deal! Write garbage. Writer’s block is temporary. Skip around. Write about your feelings. Mental breaks. Relax. These suggestions may not work for everyone every time, but you should give it a try.