1. The Bedford Reader

2. Writers need to accept that… 1.They may begin tentatively – often lacking confidence. 2.They will have to double back – rethink and re-plan. 3.Welcome change – endure frustration. Writers need to be sure they follow a process… 1.Analyze the writing situation (the assignment) 2.Discover ideas – choose a initial direction 3.Draft an initial route – may be rough 4.Revise route if need be – may need to turn back

3.  This is where you first approach the subject of your assignment.  This book uses journal writing as an initial stage of the writing process – then you as a writer, using the journal experiences, draft your own essay.  Part of this analysis requires consideration of the intended audience.

4.  This is when you critically examine sources information  When writing for this book – you will be reading, rereading, and writing what you think about issues and writers’ styles  You may even begin to draft at this stage – and if the audience is a “teacher with a sharp pencil” – forget your audience for the time being

5.  This is part of the discovery process  This is a way for you to record thoughts for yourself – which is very important  In a journal – you only worry about your thoughts because it is for you – there is no audience to be concerned with  Journal writing can “limber up your writing muscles”

6.  This is much like journaling – however, this is used for specific assignments  You write without stopping for 10-15 minutes  You don’t bog yourself down with writing conventions  This is simply a method to get in the mind set for a particular topic – writers often “find themselves” while embarking in this process

7.  While exploring, try to pin down the thesis – or the main idea of your assignment  Writers who do not keep this in mind typically get lost – and their writing wanders  Page 37 offers examples of solid thesis statements from essays offered in the text

8.  Give yourself plenty of time for this process – you have to give your mind time to “soak it all in”  Solitude is best  Don’t be afraid to “change gears”  Don’t allow for writers block – move on  Keep focused on the big picture – don’t sweat the little stuff that can be fixed later

9.  This should be a two-step process:  Revise for organization and purpose FIRST  Then worry about surface issues like grammar and word choice

10.  Purpose – will it be clear?  Thesis – easily discerned? Proved?  Unified – all goes back to thesis?  Coherent – parts relate to one another?  Details, examples, explanations?  Tone?  Did I use “methods of development?

11.  Do paragraph breaks help readers grasp information?  Do transitions assist with making connections?  Are sentences smooth – concise? Parallel?  Wording – clear and vivid?  Grammar – punctuation?  Spelling?

12.  Why collaborate with others – specifically my classmates?  Sparks ideas  Increases awareness  Increases self-confidence

13. An essay in progress…