1. Writing and Thinking

2. Aim---The “Why” of Writing
Why do people write?
People have a number of different reasons for writing.
They talk for the same reasons that they write---because they have something to say, they have somebody they want to say it to.
Reasons for writing can be narrowed down to several basic categories.

3. To Express Themselves
To get to know themselves, to find meaning in their own lives
journal entry, letter, personal essay

4. To Share Information
To give other people information that they need or want; to share some special knowledge
science or history writing, news story, bibliography, autobiography, travel essay, office memo

5. To Persuade
To convince other people to do something or believe something
persuasive essay, letter to the editor, advertisement, political speech

6. To Create Literature To be creative, to say something in a unique way
short story, poem, play

7. Process---The “How” of Writing
Good writing doesn’t just happen; it comes from following stages in a process.
The stages are all linked to thinking.

8. Stage 1: Prewriting Choosing a purpose (subject) and an audience
Gathering ideas and using pre-writing techniques
Arranging information

9. Stage 2: Writing a Draft Putting ideas down on paper
Including new ideas you discover as you write

10. Stage 3: Evaluating and Revising
Making judgments about content and organization
Making changes to improve the draft

11. Stage 4: Proofreading and Publishing
Correcting errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
Sharing one’s writing

12. Topic, Purpose, Audience
Audience: the intended reader
Topic: the focus of the writing
Purpose: reason for writing
Express
Inform
Persuade
Create literature

13. PRE-WRITING TECHNIQUES
Writer’s Journal
Recording experiences and ideas
Free writing
Writing for several minutes about whatever comes to mind
Brainstorming
Listing ideas quickly, without judging them
Clustering
Brainstorming ideas and connecting ideas with circles and lines
Asking Questions
Asking the 5W-How questions (who, what, when, where, why, and how)
Reading and Listening with a Focus
Reading a passage and listening to find specific information
Imagining
Using your imagination to think of details

14. Arranging Ideas Types of Order Type of Order Definition Examples
Chronological
Narration: order that presents events as they happen in time
Story, narrative poem, explanation of a process, history, biography, drama
Spatial
Description: order that describes objects according to location
Descriptions (near to far; left to right; top to bottom)
Importance
Evaluation: order that gives details from least to most important or the reverse
Persuasive writing; description; explanation (main idea and supporting details); evaluative writing
Logical
Classification: order that relates items and groups
Definitions; classifications; comparisons and contrasts

15. Evaluating and Revising
Guidelines for Evaluating and Revising Content
Evaluation Guide
Revision Technique
Is the writing interesting?
Add examples, an anecdote (brief story), dialogue, and details. Cut repeated or boring details.
Does the writing achieve its purpose?
Add explanations, examples, or details to achieve the purpose.
Are there enough details?
Add details, facts, or examples to support the main idea.
Are there unrelated ideas that distract the reader?
Cut the unrelated ideas.

16. Editing and Revising Organization
Guidelines for Evaluating and Revising Organization
Organization
Are the ideas and details arranged in a effective order?
Reorder ideas and details to make the meaning clear.
Are the connections between ideas and sentences clear?
Add transitional words to link ideas: because, for example, and so on.

17. Guidelines for Evaluating and Revising Style
Is the meaning clear?
Replace unclear wording. Use precise, easy-to-understand words.
Does the language fit the audience and purpose?
Replace slang and contractions to create a formal tone. Replace formal words with less formal ones to create an informal tone.
Do sentences read smoothly?
Reorder words to vary sentence beginnings. Reword to vary sentence structure.

18. 6 Traits of Writing Ideas/Content
theme, details, focus, audience awareness
Organization
structure, patterns that hold the writing together, planning, transitions
Voice
personality behind the piece, should be appropriate to purpose and audience
Word Choice
writer’s use of specific words or phrases to convey an intended message
Sentence Fluency
rhythm and flow of language
Conventions
G.U.M.S.
grammar, usage, mechanics