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Navigating Your Future: Principles for Student Success By James G. Beierlein & Barbara K. Wade Chapter Seven Writing Skills
Chapter 7
Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved

2. Why Good Writing Matters
Writing clearly means you are thinking clearly
Writing is a good way to learn what you are thinking
Your written work will precede you many times
Good writers earn more money -Fortune Magazine
Chapter 7
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3. The Four Elements of Effective Writing
Content
Structure
Style
Mechanics
Chapter 7
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Getting Started
Establish a timeline
Plan 50% of your time for revising after writing the first draft
Review the assignment to be sure you understand what is expected
Use the Internet and Reference Librarians in your research
Use 3” x 5” cards to organize your information
Chapter 7
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5. Developing Your First Draft
First Draft Goal: Getting ideas out for you to see. First drafts are for the author’s eyes only
Develop a thesis statement
Decide on an objective - to persuade, inform, entertain
Do not stop writing until you have it all written down
Backtracking and changes are expected
Chapter 7
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6. Developing Your Second Draft
Allow first draft to “pickle” at least over night
Review the first draft to see that all the relevant points are covered—no holes in information or logic exist
Make revisions
Write second draft
Write additional drafts until objectives are met
Chapter 7
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7. Transforming Prose to Rhetoric
Prose – ordinary conversation
Rhetoric – effective, eloquent, persuasive use of language
Now it is time to transform a technically correct paper into an effective paper that moves your audience
This is what you do with the 50% of time after the first draft
Let others proofread and comment on your work
Chapter 7
Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved