1. The Writing Process

3. Six Traits of Writing Ideas Ideas Organization Organization Voice Voice Word Choice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Sentence Fluency Conventions (final copy) Conventions (final copy)

4. Ideas Should be clear Should be clear Focused main idea Focused main idea Intriguing Intriguing Important details (no filler, generalities or vague statements) Important details (no filler, generalities or vague statements) Try to put your reader “at the scene”. Do your best to pull your reader in. Try to put your reader “at the scene”. Do your best to pull your reader in.

5. Organization Strong lead in sentence or topic sentence. Strong lead in sentence or topic sentence. Easy to follow—strong, smooth transitions. Easy to follow—strong, smooth transitions. Conclusion should wrap things up and provide closure. Conclusion should wrap things up and provide closure.

6. Voice Individual, striking and confident. Individual, striking and confident. Read-aloud appeal (Should sound good read aloud) Read-aloud appeal (Should sound good read aloud) Should be audience appropriate Should be audience appropriate Should display enthusiasm for topic at hand. Should display enthusiasm for topic at hand.

7. Word Choice Clear precise words that enhance meaning. Clear precise words that enhance meaning. Strong verbs Strong verbs Concise and “clutter free” Concise and “clutter free”

8. Sentence Fluency Smooth and expressive Smooth and expressive Varied sentence lengths Varied sentence lengths Varied sentence beginnings Varied sentence beginnings Realistic, readable dialogue Realistic, readable dialogue

9. Conventions Edited Edited Error free- or close Error free- or close Ready to publish Ready to publish

10. The Foundation Prewriting Drafting Revising Editing Publishing

11. Prewriting What do I want to say? What is my message? What is my main point? Do I have enough information?

12. Drafting What form should this take? (report, letter, brochure, story poem, etc)? What form should this take? (report, letter, brochure, story poem, etc)? How should I organize this piece? (Compare and contrast, main point and supporting arguments?, List of key questions and answers?) How should I organize this piece? (Compare and contrast, main point and supporting arguments?, List of key questions and answers?) What new details can I include? What new details can I include? Where do I begin? Where do I begin? Where do I go next? Where do I go next? How do I know when to stop? How do I know when to stop?

13. Sharing Is this voice reaching my audience? Is this voice reaching my audience? Which parts are the strongest? Which parts are the strongest? Does my word choice communicate my message effectively? Does my word choice communicate my message effectively? Could I make myself more clear? Could I make myself more clear?

14. Revision Is my main message clear? Is my main message clear? Are any pieces missing? Are any pieces missing? Is my writing piece organized well? Does it flow well? Is my writing piece organized well? Does it flow well? Does my opening sentence grab the attention of my reader? Does my opening sentence grab the attention of my reader? Did I waste time telling readers things they already know? Did I waste time telling readers things they already know? Is this the right tone/voice for my audience and topic? Is this the right tone/voice for my audience and topic? Do my words communicate well? Do my words communicate well? Are my sentences concise and to the point? Are my sentences concise and to the point? Did I end well? Did I end with a thought or surprise that will make my readers think? Did I end well? Did I end with a thought or surprise that will make my readers think?

15. Editing Is this as error-free as I can make it? Is this as error-free as I can make it? Is it readable? Does it flow well? Is it readable? Does it flow well? Did I read it both silently and aloud? Did I read it both silently and aloud? Did I seek the editorial help I needed? Did I seek the editorial help I needed? Is this the right form (poster, report, story) for this information? Is this the right form (poster, report, story) for this information? Do my main points stand out? Do my main points stand out?

16. An Essay is Like a meal… Thesis or Statement of Intent Thesis or Statement of Intent This is the introduction where you state what it is you want to accomplish by writing this paper. What is it you want your reader to learn by reading this paper?

17. Body= Side Dish The Body of your essay must support your thesis. This is the bulk of your essay. The Body of your essay must support your thesis. This is the bulk of your essay.

18. Conclusion= Dessert This is the last thing your reader will read so you want to go out with a bang. It should wrap everything up sweetly and neatly. Leaving your reader full and satisfied with what they have ate…I mean read. This is the last thing your reader will read so you want to go out with a bang. It should wrap everything up sweetly and neatly. Leaving your reader full and satisfied with what they have ate…I mean read.

20. Thank You!