I.I. The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

overviewoverview

The Process of writingThe Process of writing is a process of thinking is a process of thinking

It is not simplyIt is not simply

a sequence of stepsa sequence of steps

Don’t try to think the Don’t try to think the paper,paper,

then write it.then write it.

Writing helps you think.Writing helps you think.

Audience:Audience:write write toto somebody somebody

Writing to no one in particular makes Writing to no one in particular makes your essay sound abstract and dull.your essay sound abstract and dull.

Writing to a real person helps you to:Writing to a real person helps you to: refine your purposerefine your purpose decide what evidence will work bestdecide what evidence will work best decide what tone to takedecide what tone to take

The First Step:The First Step:Invention TechniquesInvention Techniques

To generate content quickly To generate content quickly and painlesslyand painlessly

Invention techniquesInvention techniques

These are designed to bypass left-brain These are designed to bypass left-brain stricturesstrictures

(grammar, structure, logic)(grammar, structure, logic)

In order to emphasize right-brain creativityIn order to emphasize right-brain creativity

(play, frolic, sport, romp)(play, frolic, sport, romp)

So do these games quickly, without judging the So do these games quickly, without judging the outcome.outcome.

BrainstormingBrainstorming(or listing)(or listing)

Everybody does this,Everybody does this,

from shopping lists to “to do” lists.from shopping lists to “to do” lists.

Brainstorming is an easy way to generate Brainstorming is an easy way to generate contentcontent

especially if you have little time for planningespecially if you have little time for planning

because it lets you order your ideas quicklybecause it lets you order your ideas quickly

FREEWRITINGFREEWRITING

Freewriting is writing freely,Freewriting is writing freely,

without worrying where you’re goingwithout worrying where you’re going

or how it looks.or how it looks.

Freewriting is talking to yourself on paper.Freewriting is talking to yourself on paper.

No one will see it but you.No one will see it but you.

When finished, decide what you can use.When finished, decide what you can use.

Focused FreewritingFocused Freewriting

When you can write freely,When you can write freely,your hand automatically recordingyour hand automatically recording

what your mind is thinking,what your mind is thinking,

you can set your mind in any direction you you can set your mind in any direction you likelike

and produce freewriting on specific and produce freewriting on specific subjects.subjects.

CubingCubing

Cubing is useful for exploring a topic from Cubing is useful for exploring a topic from six different perspectives. In cubing yousix different perspectives. In cubing youdescribe,describe,compare,compare,associate,associate,analyze,analyze,apply,apply,and argue for and against your subject.and argue for and against your subject.

MappingMapping(or clustering)(or clustering)

Mapping is a picture of your thinking or planning.Mapping is a picture of your thinking or planning.

It’s a way to reveal relationships among facts It’s a way to reveal relationships among facts and ideas.and ideas.

Use it early to find subtopics and organize Use it early to find subtopics and organize information.information.

Use it later while drafting or revising.Use it later while drafting or revising.

The next step:The next step:

A First DraftA First Draft

This first draft is an exploration.This first draft is an exploration.

Try to let yourself go,Try to let yourself go,

writing and thinking at the same writing and thinking at the same time.time.

This draft should extend your invention This draft should extend your invention play.play.

First Draft Advice:First Draft Advice:

Write out the entire draft in one Write out the entire draft in one sitting.sitting.

Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, structure.structure.

Don’t start with the introductory Don’t start with the introductory paragraphparagraph

(because you don’t know what you’re (because you don’t know what you’re introducing yet.)introducing yet.)

The Second DraftThe Second Draft

The first draft is focused on content;The first draft is focused on content;

the second is focused on structure:the second is focused on structure:

Give this draft structure by addingGive this draft structure by adding

paragraphsparagraphs

transitionstransitions

an introduction and conclusionan introduction and conclusion

The first draft is personalThe first draft is personal

(something only you fully understand).(something only you fully understand).

The second draft is publicThe second draft is public

(something others can easily follow).(something others can easily follow).

The trickThe trickto making your essay publicto making your essay public

Read it through someone else’s eyes, Read it through someone else’s eyes, to seeto see

where they need transitionswhere they need transitions where they need more exampleswhere they need more examples where they need clearer where they need clearer

explanationsexplanations

Add an introductionAdd an introduction

To orient your readersTo orient your readers

To tell them what they need to knowTo tell them what they need to know

in order to understand your thesisin order to understand your thesis

Clarify your thesisClarify your thesis

This is your basic idea, the main point This is your basic idea, the main point of your essay.of your essay.

Add a map (or forecast)Add a map (or forecast)to your thesisto your thesis

This is a sentence or two that gives an This is a sentence or two that gives an overview of your essay:overview of your essay:

how you’ll develop your thesis,how you’ll develop your thesis,

the main reasons that will the main reasons that will support your support your point.point.

Clarify your paragraphsClarify your paragraphs

(A paragraph is a group of sentences (A paragraph is a group of sentences about the same topic.)about the same topic.)

Add any sentences you need to make Add any sentences you need to make thethe

point clear and vivid.point clear and vivid. Kick out any sentences that don’t Kick out any sentences that don’t

belong.belong. Organize what’s left.Organize what’s left.

Add transitionsAdd transitions

Sentences relate to each other.Sentences relate to each other.

Use transitions to make the Use transitions to make the relationship clearrelationship clear

between sentencesbetween sentences between ideasbetween ideas between paragraphsbetween paragraphs

Add a conclusionAdd a conclusion

A summary is common, but uninspired.A summary is common, but uninspired.

Instead, answer this question:Instead, answer this question:

So what?So what?Your conclusion should tell the readerYour conclusion should tell the reader why your topic is importantwhy your topic is important why your point of view is important why your point of view is important

The next step is toThe next step is to

ReviseReviseRevising means more than simply Revising means more than simply

fixing grammar and spelling.fixing grammar and spelling.

Revising means Revising means RethinkingRethinking..

Rethinking:Rethinking:

Reorganize your reasonsReorganize your reasons Add more examplesAdd more examples Clarify your thesis and topic sentencesClarify your thesis and topic sentences Rewrite sentences to make themRewrite sentences to make them

ClearClear ConciseConcise VividVivid

Add a good titleAdd a good titleboth honest and interestingboth honest and interesting

The next stepThe next stepis to edit and proofreadis to edit and proofread

Read carefully for spelling and grammarRead carefully for spelling and grammar Edit to make sentences smooth and directEdit to make sentences smooth and direct Make your final copy neat and easy to Make your final copy neat and easy to

readread Usually typed and double-spacedUsually typed and double-spaced Usually with a title, but not a title pageUsually with a title, but not a title page

Proofread very carefullyProofread very carefully Turn it in on timeTurn it in on time

When you get your paper When you get your paper backback

Read and Read and work throughwork through instructor’s instructor’s comments.comments.

Correct all grammar and mechanical Correct all grammar and mechanical errors.errors.

Clarify with your instructor any Clarify with your instructor any comments you don’t understand.comments you don’t understand.