Step 1: Prewriting “THINK” Decide on a topic to write about. Consider who will read or listen to your written work. Brainstorm ideas on the subject. List places where you can research information. Do you research.

Types of Prewriting Free-writing Brainstorming Clustering Journalistic Technique Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

Step 2: Drafting “WRITE” Put the information you researched into your own words. Write sentences and paragraphs. They don’t have to be perfect! Read what you’ve written, and see if you’re on the right track with what you want to say.

Step 3: Revising “MAKE IT BETTER” Read what you have written again. Rearrange words or sentences. Take out or add parts. Replace overused or unclear words. Read your writing aloud to be sure it flows smoothly.

Step 4: Proofreading “MAKE IT CORRECT” Be sure all sentences are complete. Correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Change words that are not used correctly. Have someone check your work. Recopy it correctly and neatly.

Step 5: Evaluating “PEER REVIEW” Get your neighbor to look over your essay. A lot of the time, you’ll miss something, but your neighbor will catch it. Now is the time to help each other out. If something doesn’t make sense, tell your friend.

Step 6: Publishing “SHARE!” Read your writing aloud to a group. Create a book of your work. Send a copy to a friend or relative. Put your writing on display. Illustrate, perform, or set your creation to music. Congratulate yourself on a job well done!

Prewriting Practice We’re going to do a cluster map on the board together. Someone give me a topic! Make a cluster map like the one shown below for something you’re interested in. It can be a sport, a hobby, a TV show, or even a person.

Writing a Rough Draft Minimum of FIVE paragraphs Minimum of EIGHT sentences in each paragraph Thesis Statement Transition Words Restated Thesis MLA format Your Name My Name Class Inverted Date (1 August 2013)

Thesis Statement This is SUPER DUPER O M G IMPORTANT!! Your thesis statement explains what your paper is going to be about and the message you’re trying to convey. If I read your thesis, I should be able to instantly determine what your paper is going to be about.

Here’s an Example Topic: Should elephants be allowed to be kept as household pets? Thesis: Elephants should be allowed to be kept inside the home because they are cute creatures, can be potty-trained, and help reduce the number of break- ins into the home.

Now it’s your turn… Take out the prewriting/brainstorming you did yesterday (cluster map). Write a thesis statement using your topic as well as the supporting details you have came up with.

Transition Words Not only…but also As a matter of fact In like manner In addition First, second, third Not to mention Equally important Again Also Then equally Identically Like Moreover As well as Together with Of course Likewise Comparatively Correspondingly Similarly Furthermore additionally

MLA Format In the top right hand corner of your essay, it needs to have the following. Your Name My Name Class Inverted Date (2 August 2013) Size 12, Times New Roman font Double-spaced Page numbers in the upper right hand corner along with your last name (Reynolds 1)

Rough Draft Time Using your prewriting and your thesis statement, you are going to write your rough draft. Things to remember: at least 5 paragraphs (intro, bodies, closing) At least 8 sentences in each paragraph MLA format Transition words Thesis statement Restated thesis (in last paragraph)

Revising/Proofreading Look over your essay for grammatical errors. Capital letters Spelling Punctuation Sentence structure “Flowy-ness” Does your essay “flow?”

Proofreading Marks

Evaluating I have sheets for you to fill out. You are to look over your partner’s essay, and correct anything you think is grammatically wrong. Also if something doesn’t seem to make sense, let that person know. So, switch essays with a partner, get a sheet for peer reviewing, and start helping out ya buddy.

Publishing Now, your essay has been well-thought out, proofread, revised, and peer reviewed. It’s time to write your final draft. For these essays, you’ll simply handwrite them. You still must follow MLA format!! Heading and double-spaced!! Now, write your final draft. When you finish, you need to turn in to me your prewriting, rough draft, peer review sheet, and your final draft all in your folder!!

You’re Finished!