Journal 9/15

Writing Process

6 Step Writing Process Prewriting Drafting Revising Editing Proof Reading Publishing/Presenting

Prewriting The stage in which you explore possible topics. Choose a topic and gather the details you will include in the writing. There are a few steps to this process.

Choosing a topic Ask yourself the following: –What is the purpose of writing this? –What type of writing is this supposed to be? –Are there any requirements I need to meet for my topic? –What is a topic I am interested in?

Prewriting Chose a topic Narrowing the topic Consider Audience and Purpose Gather Details

Drafting Putting ideas down on paper in a rough draft. There are a few steps to this process. Shaping Your Writing Providing Elaboration

Main Ideas and Details The topic is what a paragraph is all about. The main idea is the most important thing the paragraph says about the topic. The topic is what a paragraph is all about.

Editing The stage in which you polish your writing and fix all errors. Check Spelling Check Grammar Check Usage Check Mechanics

Revising The stage in which you rework your rough draft to improve both its form and content. Revise your structure Revise your paragraphs Revise your sentences Revise your Word Choice

Proofreading The final stage before publication. This is the stage where you give your piece a final read in order to make sure all errors are corrected.

Publishing Sharing your writing with others.

Types of Writing

Expository Text (Explains Something) Expository writing is defined as presenting reasons, explanations, or steps in a process. Effective expository writing should contain a main idea, supporting details, and a conclusion.

Where to find Expository Writing Textbooks Dictionary Encyclopedia Instruction Manuals Directions “How To” Articles Newspaper Articles Magazine Articles Websites Non-Fiction Books

Narrative Text (Tells a Story) Narrative writing is defined as relating a sequence of events which occurs over some period of time. Effective narrative requires a writer to give a clear sequence of events (fictional or non-fictional) and to provide elaboration for it.

Examples of Narrative Texts Novels Short Stories Autobiographies Some Biographies Some Magazine/Newspap er Articles Comic Books Diaries Journals

Descriptive Text- Describes Something Descriptive writing is the clear description of people, places, objects or events using appropriate details. Descriptive writing will use sensory details (5 Senses)

The Structure of Descriptive Text Descriptive text has structure as below: Identification; identifying the object to be described. Description; describing the object in parts, qualities, or/and characteristics.

Descriptive

Examples of Descriptive Text Stories Poems Essays Reports Articles Travel Brochures Websites

Persuasive Persuasive writing is defined as presentation of reasons and examples to influence action or thought. Effective persuasive writing requires a writer to state clearly an opinion and supply reasons and specific examples that support that opinion.

Descriptive Writing Assignment What does your dream house look like? Write a 2 page paper describing your dream house. Money is no object and the homes and contents can be realistic or fantasy, they just have to be able to describe them. The descriptions of the rooms, property, outbuildings, etc. must appeal to all the senses. Not all the senses must be utilized in every single room, but a minimum of 3 of the 5 should be described in each and all five must be used at some point during the essay.

Journal – Correct the following paragraph. the erth has lost of meaning to me. I lik it cuz it is wer I live. Their are butiful things in the would lik trees, flours; and rocks. But the best things on earth are my reltives. My reltives are vary mice. They will do annything for you, and I am glad they are hear!!!!!!

Introducing 6 Traits into Our Writing

What are the 6Traits? 1.Voice 2.Word Choice 3.Conventions 4.Sentence Fluency 5.Organization 6.Ideas

Ideas & Content As you begin your paper you generate ideas. Your ideas and content are the reasons for writing a paper. Every paper should convey a message and be easy to follow. Some thoughts to get you going: What is my message and is it focused and clear? Did I include important details relevant to my topic? Did the reader learn something new? Is my paper interesting and easy to understand?

Organization Organizing your ideas helps a reader move through your paper in a meaningful way. Here are some things to keep in mind as you write your paper: Does my beginning hook my reader? Is my paper easy to follow? Did I choose the best way to organize my story? Do my ideas link to a main message? Do I have a strong conclusion that wraps up the story?

Voice Your voice is what gives your writing personality, flavor and style. Questions to think about as you write your paper: Can you tell I am enthusiastic about my topic? Does this writing sound like me? How do I want my readers to feel? Will my story hold readers' attention? Will they want to hear more?

Word Choice The specific words that you choose create images, capture a reader's attention and make your story memorable. Look at your paper and decide: Have I used some strong verbs or colorful phrases that grab my reader? Have I chosen the most precise word? Have I used any unique words? Did I repeat common words too many times?

Fill in the blank The toad ______through the mud.. The ______ toad ________through the _________mud. The _______ ________ toad __________ ________ through the _________ _________ mud. ~

A Closer Look at Word Choice Use powerful words that paint a mental picture for the reader. Add descriptive adjectives to enhance nouns. –The lumpy brown toad hopped quickly through the squishy gooey mud. Verbs should be strong action words. –The cows stampeded through the field. –The cows sauntered through the field.

The man grumbled a bit as he wiped his eye wit his hand. He could taste the salt as he rubbed his lips. He glanced at his wife standing a short distance away. She too was old, but he still saw in her face the girl he had married. She still smelled like grass.

The old man grumbled a bit as he wiped his teary eye with the back of his gnarled hand. He could taste the salt as he rubbed his parched lips. He glanced at his silent wife standing a short distance away. She too was old, but he still saw in her wrinkled face the pretty young girl he had married. She still smelled like freshly mowed spring grass.

Using our common senses……. The old man grumbled a bit as he wiped his teary eye with the back of his gnarled hand. He could taste the salt as he rubbed his parched lips. He glanced at his silent wife standing a short distance away. She too was old, but he still saw in her wrinkled face the pretty young girl he had married. She still smelled like freshly mowed spring grass. Key: sound touch taste sight smell

Conventions You've finished your first draft. Now it is time to start editing for conventions. These include spelling, punctuation, grammar, capitalization and paragraphing. Proper use of conventions make your story easy for others to read. To begin editing ask yourself: Did I leave spaces between words and sentences? Did I use a title? Did I use correct punctuation? Did I use capital letters in the right places? Have I proofread for correct spelling and grammar? Have I indented any new paragraphs?

Sentence Fluency Fluent writing has rhythm. Sentences vary in length and structure. It is easy and pleasurable to read aloud. It is important to think about: Is my story easy to read? Do my sentences begin in different ways? Did I use some long and some short sentences? Does my paper sound smooth as I read it aloud?

Now Let’s Examine Sentence Fluency Let your writing develop an easy flow or rhythm. Aim to make your writing ache to be read aloud. –“He moved like a slow-motion instant replay.” (Christopher Myers) Use complete sentences. –Slept soundly in the crib. –The baby slept soundly in the crib.

What else should a good writer do? Vary sentence lengths. –He wore a red shirt. He had on brown slacks. His jacket was wrinkled. –He wore a wrinkled jacket over a red shirt with brown slacks. Vary sentence beginnings. –I like to sing. I like to play the piano. –I like to sing. Playing the piano is my favorite pastime.

…And There’s More Avoid repetition. –She liked to dance and she liked to skate and she liked to sing. Make sure to use words correctly. –There driving to they’re house and will arrive their by noon..

Tips

Avoid Using Repetitive and Vague Language All the houses on our street are very ugly. Mrs. French lives in a big ugly house at the end of the street. Her big ugly house looks very scary at night. My neighbor’s house is very big and very ugly as well. I hate living in a big ugly house. It is very embarrassing when my friends drive by and see my very big ugly house.

Use a VARIETY of words and Vary Your Sentence Structure!! All the houses on our street are very ugly. Mrs. French lives in a big ugly house at the end of the street. Her big ugly house looks very scary at night. My neighbors house is very big and very ugly as well. I hate living in a big ugly house. It is very embarrassing when my friends drive by and see my very big ugly house.

There is such a thing as Too Much Detail in descriptive writing! The castle had three hundred and twenty- two rooms with black tables. In one of the rooms, there was a closet, also black, that was two feet and three inches tall. A sharp scream came from the wooden stables two and a half miles away. A lady with hair barrettes in jumped out of bed, folded her coverlet to the side, in the new style, threw off the covers, ran very quickly to the stained glass window and looked out.

Adequate… But Not Too Much Detail The colossal castle had many rooms and mysterious black furniture. Suddenly, a shrill and piercing scream rose from the stables! The lady jumped from her bed and immediately looked out the window.

Writing your paper

What is a descriptive essay? It is a written assignment intended to describe the subject matter to the readers so that they get a complete understanding of the subject based on your description. It is a creative, personal, or simply artistic essay. Descriptive essay aims at creating a deeply involved and vivid experience for the reader. It is achieved not through facts and statistics as research paper but using detailed observations and descriptions

Introduction Your introduction needs to include the following items. –Attention Getter –Topic/Thesis Statement –Preview of your main points/ideas

Attention Getter: Best Way to Start off! Quote Question Story Startling Statement/Statistic Humor

Main Points Include AT LEAST 3-5 main points, each main point should have supporting details to go with it. Each main point should be 1-2 paragraphs in length.

Conclusion Your conclusion needs to include the following items. –Review of your main points/ideas –Review of your topic/thesis statement –Memorable Ending.

Memorable Ending: Always leave em wanting more! Quote Question Story Startling Statement/Statistic Humor

Do’s & Don’ts Do you proper grammar. Do vary your sentences Do be descriptive Do have an introduction and a conclusion Don’t say “my paper is about…..” Don’t say “my main points are…..” Don’t say “in conclusion” Don’t use pictures or emoticons