The Writing Process

 Writing Process:  1. Prewriting  2. Drafting  3. Revising  4. Editing  5. Presenting x

Prewriting Strategies 1. Freewriting – Write nonstop for a set time (3-5 minutes). 2. Tree charts/Clustering/Webbing/Mindmapping 3. Writing Starters/Prompts 4. Observation 5. Questioning a. 5 W’s and How b. Levels: Personal, Creative, Analytical, or Informational x

6. Cubing a. Describe – Use sensory details and figures of speech. b. Compare or Contrast. c. Analyze – Tell the component parts. d. Apply – Identify the use(s). e. Associate – Recall a personal experience. f. Argue – for or against. 7. Looping – a. First freewrite. b. Then write a one- sentence summary that becomes the springboard for the next freewrite. c. Repeat as often as needed. 8. Brainstorming x

Consider audience and purpose. x

Observation skills are important for gathering descriptive details. x

Drafting Terms to know: unity, topic sentence, and thesis (p. 76). x

Terms to know: coherence, spatial order, chronological order, introduction, body, conclusion, and transitional devices. Achieving coherence: 1. Choose the best order (chart p. 80 and notes below). 2. Use transitions (and, or, but, so, also, on the other hand, however, consequently, etc.). 3. Use pronouns with clear antecedents. 4. Use repetition effectively. 5. Emphasize key ideas. x

1.Narrative writing (Tell a story.)  chronological order (exception: flashback) 2.Descriptive writing (Paint a word picture.)  spatial order 3.Persuasive writing (Convince your reader.)  order of importance *a. least-to-most important b. most-to-least important x

4. Expository writing (Explain or inform.)  a. chronological order – process papers b. order of importance c. pro/con order d. comparison/contrast order (1) alternating – ABABAB – for longer papers (2) block – AAABBB – for shorter ones x

Revising 1.Allow time between drafting and revising. x

2. D A R E... e d e d l d a i e r t t r e a n g e... to revise. x

3.Ask for peer review. 4.As a peer reviewer, “sandwich” criticism between two slices of praise. 5.As a peer reviewer, consider “Whole Piece,” “Sections,” and “Language” concerns. 6.See checklist p Comment on the writing, not the writer. x

Editing and Presenting 1.Edit for the types of errors that you know are your “demons.” 2. Choose a title. 3. See checklist p. 95. x