1. “Where words fail, music speaks” ~Hans Christian Anderson We’ll get started on time. Meanwhile, enjoy chatting. CM107, Composition with Jayme Bunch Monday, March 19 th @ 8:00 PM ET

2. Tonight we will review drafting steps and revision processes

3. Unit 7 Work Reading: In addition to the content in the scenario link on Revision, please become familiar with the concepts in chapters 6 (this chapter was part of another unit, too) and 17 of The Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing. Discussion Board: Revisit your Unit 3 project. Considering the revision and editing strategies you learned about this week, what would you change? Don’t forget about word choice and sentence variety. When you’re ready, post your original writing alongside your revision and respond to the following: 1.What did you decide to change? Why did these changes seem important to you? 2.How has your writing example changed for the better? You will also need to respond to at least 2 of your peers (50 words each).

4. Are you ready to begin drafting for the Final Paper? Are you nervous? Unsure about ‘how’ to start?

5. Step 1: From Outline to Drafting So the final paper will have 5 basic parts, which compose a very basic outline: Introductory paragraph: Introduce yourself to your client: you will need to identify a person who needs help—this can be someone from history, fiction (books, television, movies), a celebrity, or someone from your life. Write an thesis to clarify who he or she is and why this person needs to embark on a helpful journey. 1st body paragraph: Background info. Determine the goal by noting the threshold he or she needs to cross. Explain its significance. 2nd body paragraph: Process analysis. Define and expand upon the steps he/she will need to take to cross that threshold. For instance, if you are offering exercise and nutritional advice, offer an extended definition for health or wellness or even nutrition. 3rd body paragraph: Cause/Effect. Indicate the short and long-term benefits of this journey Conclusion: recap your plan and restate your thesis. End this action plan with more positive input and inspiration for this person. Point to a greater significance.

6. Very basic outline I.Introduction: introduction yourself to client and ‘character’ who needs help, leading to thesis statement. II.1 st body paragraph: Make a goal III. 2 nd body paragraph: Detail the steps to accomplish that goal. IV.3 rd body paragraph: Identify rewards of that goal. V.Conclusion: restate thesis, recap points, point to great significance

7. This essay will be expository, not persuasive. The essay must have a solid expository thesis that are the foundations for the three body paragraphs. Each body paragraph has three parts: a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a closing sentence. The rubric for the essay includes specific requirements. Review these requirements and use the rubric as a checklist. Step 2: Review the Big Picture

8. Step 3: Take a look back The units we have covered have been preparing us for this drafting. Everything has been a part of the writing process for our Unit 9 final project. Drafting is part of the writing process, too. Review not only your graded feedback, but the seminars, Power Points (in Doc-sharing) and comments from your peers in the threads.

9. Step 4: Seek out help! Ask for help when you need it! Your instructor is eager to help, but many times cannot help on the day before a project is due because there is not enough time. So plan ahead. The Writing Center has a document titled: “Getting Started on a Draft: Cures for Writer’s Block.” In this reading document, many ideas appear that can help students as they begin writing the essay. The next few slides—with apologies—contain some “do not” rules for drafting. These rules are very important and deal with the writing process.

10. Step 5: Make a schedule Decide before you sit down to write what you wish to accomplish during that writing session. Will you complete one body paragraph? Will you work on a first draft of the entire body? Here’s the bottom line: We all know we make time for the things that are important to us. This draft is important. Staying focused on the course is important. The success achieved from doing both is important! Our final papers for the course will be due: April 3rd!

11. Step 6: Do not mix up steps in the process: thesis construction is not drafting. You should have your thesis with key points in place for the draft. You may change the thesis and points as you draft, but you should have some initial points in place.

12. Step 7: Write body paragraphs first. If you have a thesis with key points, you can create the three body paragraphs you need. Consider the purpose of the introduction and conclusion. As the writer, shouldn’t you “meet” the body of your paper before you introduce it to someone else or make conclusions about it? This “body-paragraphs-first” technique can help you write a stronger introduction and conclusions.

13. Step 8: Develop an Intro and Conclusion Consider that each of these paragraphs has three functions. – Introduction: Engage attention, provide background and definition of topic, and state thesis in a single sentence at the very end of the paragraph. – Conclusion: Restate thesis (not the same sentence), wrap up major ideas, close the essay while keeping the reader engaged. Also visit the Writing Center for help with these areas.

14. Step 9: Revise after you have written Many revision issues exist, but divide revising tasks into three basic divisions: * Revise sentences for content (ideas.) * Revise for mechanics; proofread aloud. * Revise for APA. Check each citation and reference item for APA format. Remember to focus on the sources you are using. Avoid overwhelming yourself with information you don’t need right now. You may generate many drafts! The more you draft, the better the chance of catching errors and making the essay stronger.

15. What does it mean to revise?

16. Revising & Editing Revising means "seeing again." This is the part of the writing process where you make sure that your paper says exactly what you want it to say. Doing so will probably involve rewriting parts of it. Editing is a process that comes after drafting and revising. It involves proofreading for grammatical, punctuation, technical, and mechanical issues. It would be wasteful of your time to edit before revising. Why should you revise?

17. According to author Somerset Maugham, "Only a mediocre writer is always at his best." Writer Ernest Hemingway put it more pointedly, "The first draft of anything is sh- -." What do you do after you are done writing your draft?

18. Cool Down! When you are finished with your draft, put your writing aside for 5 -10 minutes (over night is even better!). Walk away, and then come back and reread your essay. You will see your work differently after a cooling down period. Then….

19. Read the draft aloud! Listen to the construction of your sentences. Are they clear and readable? Do they say what you want them to say? How would they sound to a reader? By reading out loud, you will often HEAR a mistake or a clumsy construction in your writing that has escaped your eye in silent reading.

20. Ask yourself: 1. Does the introduction grab attention? 2. Is the thesis statement clearly identifiable? * Can you point to it? If you can't, the reader won't be able to either. * Does the thesis statement make a point? 3. Have you stuck to the topic and the point you are trying to make?

21. Ask yourself: 5. Do the rest of the paragraphs prove your thesis? 6. Do the sentences and paragraphs flow? Do you need to move a sentence or paragraph to clarify a section? 7. Does the paper make sense? Can the reader follow your ideas? 8. Is the conclusion strong and original?

22. Other Tips for Revising: 1. Ask yourself: "What should I cut?" Thomas Jefferson, former president & the author of the Declaration of Independence, stated: "The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” The chances are you may need to cut, also.

23. Add in Missing Details Ask yourself: "What should I add?“ Reread your paper to make sure that you have enough details so your reader can understand and accept your point. Do more research. Make your explanations clearer, and add examples.

24. Make Sentences Clear & Understandable Are all of your sentences clear? Do the words and sentences flow? If not, rewrite the awkward sections. Is your sentence structure varied? Vary the length and type of your sentences. Try to write not only simple sentences, but also compound and complex sentences. In plain English, that means to write some short sentences and some long sentences. [ LOL]

25. Variety! Vary the length of your paragraphs. – Begin a new paragraph every time you change the subject. – Avoid short paragraphs of one or two sentences. A college level paragraph is at least 5 sentences in length. – Readers prefer shorter paragraphs, so if your paragraphs are long, look for a place to divide them. Variety in sentences and paragraphs makes your writing more interesting to read.

26. Avoid Vagueness Make sure that your wording is exact. Avoid vague, general words and phrases. For example: – Her work was poor. What type of work and what do you mean by poor? Make the situation clear to the readers: – Her reports contained so many grammar and spelling errors that they were virtually illegible.

27. If you have any questions, please email me at: Jbunch@kaplan.edu What questions do you have?