1. AcDv B80: The Writing Process
Bakersfield College
Jessica Wojtysiak
Fall 2016
AcDv B80: The Writing Process

2. The Writing Process
Prewriting
Writing
Emendation .

3. Anything you do before you actually begin to write your paper.
PreWriting
Anything you do before you actually begin to write your paper.

4. What are some examples of prewriting?
Taking Notes
Thinking about the project
Talking to other people
Brainstorming
Outlining
Visual Maps
Researching in the library
Assessing data

5. Freewriting & Brainstorming
Look at the topic and think about it briefly
Set your timer
Ready? Set? Write?
Don’t stop! Don‘t reread or edit!
Keep your fingers typing/pen moving!
When the time runs out, go back and read.
Highlight, underline or circle the ideas that stand out.
Use these ideas to start your project.

6. The Scenario
Your friend Jo recently confided an intent to drop out of Bakersfield College. Jo is your friend from high school, and Jo’s parents, who did not attend college, talked Jo into earning a degree. However, Jo is worried about money and thinks that dropping out of college to get a job is the better choice. Then, Jo can help support the family and start saving.
Craft an argument against Jo’s position. Why should Jo stay in college? What can Jo do instead of dropping out?

7. Brainstorm: Staying in School
In your journal, make a list of possible reasons to obtain a college degree.
Try to come up with reasons that will be interesting or surprising for the reader.
Ready? Set! Let’s write!

8. Homework
Read “Do the Benefits of College outweigh the costs?” and “6 Key Findings about Going to College” (available at the course website).
As you read, create a double-sided journal entry for each article.

9. Step 2: Writing (Drafting)
Drafting is what we tend to think of when we talk about writing a paper
Here you concentrate upon explaining and supporting your ideas fully. You organize your ideas into sentences and paragraphs.
Here you also begin to connect your ideas
Drafting is often writer-centered: You focus on your views and critically assess your thoughts
End Result: Your Rough Draft

10. This step involves correcting the draft to produce the final paper
Step 3: Emendation
This step involves correcting the draft to produce the final paper
Shift from writer-focus to reader focus.
This step is divided into two distinct parts:
Revision
Editing

11. Revision: Structure and Content Editing: Syntax and Grammar
The Difference
Revision: Structure and Content
Editing: Syntax and Grammar
Shift from writer-focus to reader focus.
End Result: Final Draft

12. Revision is Distinct from Editing
After you have revised and proofread your essay for content and structural issues, then you need to work on grammatical mistakes—editing.
Here you want to make sure that you pay particular focus on your problem areas.
Lastly, proofread your essay for spelling errors. You may use spell check, but you should also proofread the essay yourself.

13. Time and People
It is important to give yourself some space and time away from your rough draft.
This allows you to clear your head so you can spot gaps and mistakes more easily.
If you can, try to have someone else read your essay, or read it out loud to yourself.
It is easier for someone else to find gaps, mistakes, or parts of the essay that need work because they do not already know what you are trying to say.