1. Intro to the Writing Process
Pre-Course Class 66

2. What is your reaction when you get a paper back that looks like this?

3. The truth about writing…
“Very few writers really know what they are doing until they've done it.”
“We all often feel like we are pulling teeth, even those writers whose prose ends up being the most natural and fluid.”
“I would eventually let myself trust the process -- sort of, more or less.”
Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

4. Discussion
What have you already learned in previous classes about writing?
How would you describe your own experience with writing? Positive or negative?
How is writing evaluated in your country?

5. Step 1: Discovering ideas
Also called “brainstorming,” this step is essential when beginning the writing process.
What are some ways to brainstorm?
List
Outline (similar to handout)
Mind map

6. Step 2: Drafting A draft is not a final version.
It’s ok for a draft to be messy or disorganized.
It’s ok for a draft to not include an introduction/conclusion.
You may need to revise several drafts before submitting the final version.
Don’t worry; no one writes a “good” first draft!

7. Step 3: Revising Many ways to revise, including:
Participate in peer review
Read your draft out loud
Read your draft to a classmate or family member
You may revise such things as:
Grammar
Punctuation
Content
Transition words
Sentence structure
What are some things you could revise?

8. Peer Review Get with a partner
Read your essay out loud, or ask your partner to do it. If you are uncomfortable with that, your partner can read it quietly.
Think about and discuss these questions:
Content – is there enough information? Or too much or unnecessary info?
Organization – Does the order of information make sense?
Sentence structure – Are the sentences clear?

9. Requirements for final drafts in the pre-course
Double-spaced (2.o)
12 pt. font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri)
Header (Full name, name of class, my name, date)
1” margins (should be default setting in Word)
Descriptive title, centered (not bold or italics, also 12pt.)
Left-aligned, paragraphs are indented with “tab” key
No empty lines between paragraphs
Reference page as a separate page at the end
Country Brief should follow these guidelines
Final length = 1 page double-spaced, or approximately 300 words
File name: Last name, name of assignment, date
Example: wilcoxoncountrybrief