1. Pre-Reading and Pre-Writing
Lesson 2
Pre-Reading and Pre-Writing

2. Previewing
Previewing a text before attempting to read is an effective way to familiarize yourself with the topic and organization of a reading assignment.

3. Steps to Previewing a Text
Read the titleRead the subtitles or bold faced headings
Check the author and source
Read the introduction or first paragraph
Read the first sentence of each paragraph or the first sentence under headings
Look for any pictures, graphs, or charts
Read the last paragrah, end of chapter summaries, or discussion questions:

4. Activate Prior Knowledge
Turn the headings into questions and try to answer them
Discuss the topic with friends or classmates
Refer back to any experiences you may have had related to the topic of the text
PreWrite

5. Why Pre-write?
Pre-writing will help you activate your prior knowledge.
Pre-writing will help you come up with ideas for your paper.
It will help you organize your ideas.
It will help you stay on topic when writing the paper.

6. Highlighting and Analyzing the Prompt
A Since the passage of the Welfare Reform Act, there have been increasing numbers of single parents attending community colleges. Some students, however, have had problems paying for daycare while they are in college. BShould the government provide free daycare for single-parent, welfare students while they are in college? CProponents of providing free daycare argue that a government daycare program would be safer for children. DOpponents argue that a government daycare program would cost taxpayers too much money.
EYour purpose is to write a 300 — 500 word multiple-paragraph essay to be read by a classroom teacher in which you take a position on whether the government should or should not provide free daycare for single-parent, welfare students while they are in college. Be sure to support your position with logical reasons and examples.

7. Analyze the Prompt A – This identifies the situation.
B – This identifies the issue in dispute or to be argued.
C – The proponents are those who are in favor of something.
D – The opponents are those who are against something.
E – This is where you find the purpose and the audience for your
essay.
C and D can provide one reason for taking the position that you do on either side of the argument and can be used for the transition in your introduction paragraph.
E can be used to develop the beginning of your thesis statement, for example, “The government should provide free daycare for single-parent welfare students while they are in college because of child safety, __________________, and ____________________.”

8. Now Let’s Break That Down…
A – This identifies the topic in a general way.
A Since the passage of the Welfare Reform Act, there have been increasing numbers of single parents attending community colleges. Some students, however, have had problems paying for daycare while they are in college. BShould the government provide free daycare for single-parent, welfare students while they are in college? CProponents of providing free daycare argue that a government daycare program would be safer for children. DOpponents argue that a government daycare program would cost taxpayers too much money.

9. B – This identifies the issue in dispute or to be argued.
A Since the passage of the Welfare Reform Act, there have been increasing numbers of single parents attending community colleges. Some students, however, have had problems paying for daycare while they are in college. BShould the government provide free daycare for single-parent, welfare students while they are in college? CProponents of providing free daycare argue that a government daycare program would be safer for children. DOpponents argue that a government daycare program would cost taxpayers too much money.

10. C – Identifies what proponents support and gives you a reason why they are in favor of it.
A Since the passage of the Welfare Reform Act, there have been increasing numbers of single parents attending community colleges. Some students, however, have had problems paying for daycare while they are in college. BShould the government provide free daycare for single-parent, welfare students while they are in college? CProponents of providing free daycare argue that a government daycare program would be safer for children. DOpponents argue that a government daycare program would cost taxpayers too much money.
C and D can provide one reason for taking the position that you do on either side of the argument and can be used for the transition in your introduction paragraph.

11. D – Identifies what opponents are against and gives you a reason why they are not in favor of it.
A Since the passage of the Welfare Reform Act, there have been increasing numbers of single parents attending community colleges. Some students, however, have had problems paying for daycare while they are in college. BShould the government provide free daycare for single-parent, welfare students while they are in college? CProponents of providing free daycare argue that a government daycare program would be safer for children. DOpponents argue that a government daycare program would cost taxpayers too much money.

12. E – This is where you find the purpose and the audience for your essay.
EYour purpose is to write a 300 — 500 word multiple-paragraph essay to be read by a classroom teacher in which you take a position on whether the government should or should not provide free daycare for single-parent, welfare students while they are in college. Be sure to support your position with logical reasons and examples.
E can be used to develop the beginning of your thesis statement, for example, “The government should provide free daycare for single-parent welfare students while they are in college because of child safety, __________________, and ____________________.”

13. Listing
“Listing” is similar to “brainstorming.” The idea is to write down as many things as possible.
Use single words or phrases, not sentences.
Listing works well for descriptive-type writing.
Don’t worry about spelling or sorting out “good” and “bad” ideas.

14. Example List Topic: Child Care for Students on Welfare-Advantages
Safety
Topic: Child Care for Students on Welfare-Disadvantages
Cost for Tax Payers

15. Outlining
“Outlining” is a more organized form of pre-writing than the others we discussed.
It can be used after you have generated ideas through brainstorming, free writing, or other pre-writing techniques.
It works well for structured types of writing such as essays.
You can use complete sentences, but you don’t have to.

16. Example Outline I. Child Care should be free for Students on Welfare
I. Safety
a) Experienced Employees
b) Safe Environment
II. a) b)
III.
IV. Conclusion: Free child care for students on welfare is a good idea.

17. Clustering
“Clustering,” sometimes called “semantic/ idea mapping” or “webbing,” is another way to organize your ideas.
Start with your topic in the center, and branch out from there with related ideas.
Use words and phrases, not complete sentences.

18. Example Map
Child care for students