1. The Writing Process

2. What is the writing process?

3. magic!
Writing is not

4. Stages of Writing
Prewriting
Drafting
Revising
Editing

5. Prewriting
Prewriting is the process of coming up with ideas for your essay.
This is not formal, polished writing.
There are many prewriting techniques, but we will be discussing:
Brainstorming
Freewriting
Clustering
Outlining

6. Brainstorming
Just think!

7. Freewriting
Just write!

8. Clustering A way of narrowing your thoughts by connecting your ideas
Great techniques for visual learners

10. Try it!

11. Outlining
Outlining comes after you already have the ideas for your paper.
It is a way of laying out your thoughts before you begin writing.
Use bullet points to write down each concept you want to mention in the order you want to mention them.
For more detail, see the Writing Center’s handout on outlining.

12. Drafting Starring Tat and Rodell!
The draft is the first attempt to organize information.
Typically called a rough draft for a reason.
YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES!
Your essay structure does not need to be perfect.
Starring Tat and Rodell!

13. Try it!
(again!)

14. Revising
Reworking your essay so that the ideas are expressed in the best way possible.
Revising is not the editing stage.
Global Revision
Local Revision
Content
Grammar, spelling, etc.
Structure
Thesis
Strong supporting points

15. After Revising, Type!
After revising mistakes in your handwritten rough draft, you may type your paper.
Remember to give your essay a title.

16. Editing
Editing is eliminating punctuation, grammar, and spelling mistakes that show up when you are typing your paper.
Should be saved for the end of the writing process.
SpellCheck can be a false friend! Sometimes, it is very helpful – other times, it doesn’t understand exactly what you are trying to say and will ask you to change things that don’t really need changing.

17. Checklist for Editing
Have you read your work aloud to listen for problems?
Did you check every possible misspelling in a dictionary?
Have you avoided run-ons?
Are you using verbs, pronouns, and modifiers correctly?
Have you used your punctuation correctly?
Are your capital letters correct?

18. Essay Requirements Remember, an essay has three parts:
Introductory paragraph: gives an overview of what you are going to say and the points you are going to make.
Body: 3 paragraphs that tell about 3 things. The body should have lots of examples and details.
Conclusion paragraph: Sums up what you have said in your body paragraphs. Should end with a bang that will make your essay memorable.

19. “Why I Say ‘No’ to Drugs and Alcohol”
Write an essay about why you say “no” to drugs and alcohol or persuading someone else to say “no.”
Introductory paragraph should introduce the fact that drugs and alcohol are bad for you.
3 body paragraphs should tell about 3 separate reasons why someone should say “no” to drugs and alcohol.
Conclusion should sum up all your main points and leave the reader with the feeling that they should say “no!”

20. Contest Info
Essay must be less than 500 words (Word will show you a word the bottom when you type your essay)
IF you want to submit your essay, let me know before October 1!! PLEASE SUBMIT!
There are prizes:
1st - $300
2nd - $200
3rd - $125
4th - $75

21. Steps 1. Brainstorm what your 3 reasons to say “no” will be
2. Hand write your rough draft – don’t worry too much about errors in spelling, punctuation, etc.
3. Read through your paper to change errors and ADD DETAILS.
4. Have a friend read through your paper and make suggestions.
5. Type your essay on a word document; consider any errors Spellcheck points out. Polish your essay.