The Bedford Reader
Writers need to accept that… 1.They may begin tentatively – often lacking confidence. 2.They will have to double back – rethink and re-plan. 3.Welcome change – endure frustration. Writers need to be sure they follow a process… 1.Analyze the writing situation (the assignment) 2.Discover ideas – choose a initial direction 3.Draft an initial route – may be rough 4.Revise route if need be – may need to turn back
This is where you first approach the subject of your assignment. This book uses journal writing as an initial stage of the writing process – then you as a writer, using the journal experiences, draft your own essay. Part of this analysis requires consideration of the intended audience.
This is when you critically examine sources information When writing for this book – you will be reading, rereading, and writing what you think about issues and writers’ styles You may even begin to draft at this stage – and if the audience is a “teacher with a sharp pencil” – forget your audience for the time being
This is part of the discovery process This is a way for you to record thoughts for yourself – which is very important In a journal – you only worry about your thoughts because it is for you – there is no audience to be concerned with Journal writing can “limber up your writing muscles”
This is much like journaling – however, this is used for specific assignments You write without stopping for minutes You don’t bog yourself down with writing conventions This is simply a method to get in the mind set for a particular topic – writers often “find themselves” while embarking in this process
While exploring, try to pin down the thesis – or the main idea of your assignment Writers who do not keep this in mind typically get lost – and their writing wanders Page 37 offers examples of solid thesis statements from essays offered in the text
Give yourself plenty of time for this process – you have to give your mind time to “soak it all in” Solitude is best Don’t be afraid to “change gears” Don’t allow for writers block – move on Keep focused on the big picture – don’t sweat the little stuff that can be fixed later
This should be a two-step process: Revise for organization and purpose FIRST Then worry about surface issues like grammar and word choice
Purpose – will it be clear? Thesis – easily discerned? Proved? Unified – all goes back to thesis? Coherent – parts relate to one another? Details, examples, explanations? Tone? Did I use “methods of development?
Do paragraph breaks help readers grasp information? Do transitions assist with making connections? Are sentences smooth – concise? Parallel? Wording – clear and vivid? Grammar – punctuation? Spelling?
Why collaborate with others – specifically my classmates? Sparks ideas Increases awareness Increases self-confidence
An essay in progress…