1. The Writing Process

2. What is it? Have you heard this phrase before? What do you know about the writing process? Have you heard this phrase before? What do you know about the writing process?

3. It’s not simple! The writing process isn’t linear. It doesn’t go from point A to point B like a nice, straight line… Think of it as something more circular... like a roller coaster. The writing process isn’t linear. It doesn’t go from point A to point B like a nice, straight line… Think of it as something more circular... like a roller coaster.

4. But before you get on the ride-- Stop! Go back! Read the assignment at least two times and be sure that you understand it. Stop! Go back! Read the assignment at least two times and be sure that you understand it.

5. Next: Write a (tentative) thesis statement. A thesis statement is the main idea for the entire paper. Everything else in the paper is connected to your thesis statement (or “thesis”) in some way. We’ll work on these in class. Your thesis might change a bit as you write. That’s okay! Write a (tentative) thesis statement. A thesis statement is the main idea for the entire paper. Everything else in the paper is connected to your thesis statement (or “thesis”) in some way. We’ll work on these in class. Your thesis might change a bit as you write. That’s okay!

6. Know your audience In college, you are usually writing for an “academic” audience. You need to use academic language. No contractions. No “gonna”, “wanna”, spoken English. You need to be careful about spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. In college, you are usually writing for an “academic” audience. You need to use academic language. No contractions. No “gonna”, “wanna”, spoken English. You need to be careful about spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

7. Organize your ideas Make some kind of outline Have an idea of where your paper will go before you start writing Make some kind of outline Have an idea of where your paper will go before you start writing

8. Finally! Write your first draft. Write it fast. Get your ideas down. (This is not the paper you will turn in.) Write your first draft. Write it fast. Get your ideas down. (This is not the paper you will turn in.)

9. Take a break. Go away. Take a walk. Call a friend. Watch a movie. Distract yourself. Go away. Take a walk. Call a friend. Watch a movie. Distract yourself.

10. Then come back! Read your paper. Does it make sense? Where can you make it clearer? Check your grammar. Check your spelling. Check your punctuation. Make changes. Read your paper. Does it make sense? Where can you make it clearer? Check your grammar. Check your spelling. Check your punctuation. Make changes.

11. THIS… … is the first draft you will bring to class for peer review. It should be something you’re happy with. It should be something you’ll get a passing grade for. … is the first draft you will bring to class for peer review. It should be something you’re happy with. It should be something you’ll get a passing grade for.