Introduction to Writing 1 The Writing Process Prewriting

Introduction to Writing 1

The Writing Process Prewriting Time to think Drafting Time to write it down Revising Time to improve my writing Publishing Time to share my writing Editing Time to make things correct 2

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Prewrite “Of a good beginning cometh a good end. ” – John Heywood 4

Prewriting Questions to consider: What do I want to say? How do I want to say it? Who will read my writing? What else do I need to know to begin? Who can I talk to about my ideas? 5

What does your assignment say? What do you want to say? Read carefully. Use what you know. Highlight key terms. Choose a topic of interest. Ask questions. 6

Topic vs. Thesis Topic What you are writing about Thesis Your claim, argument, or recommendation Time management of college students Without time management, college students cannot complete all of their important tasks each day. 7

Listing 1. Start with the middle circle and write a topic. 2. Write down random ideas. Use lines to connect these ideas. 3. See if there is one “cluster” of ideas and start from there. 8

Clustering 1. Start with the middle circle and write a topic. 2. Write down random ideas. Use lines to connect these ideas. 3. See if there is one “cluster” of ideas and start from there. 9

The First Draft I never know what I think about something until I read what I’ve written on it. — William Faulkner 10

Drafting Questions to consider: Are my thoughts organized? Which ideas do I want to develop? In what order do I want to say them? Who can read this and offer suggestion? 11

Freewriting 1. Write quickly without stopping, 5 -10 minutes. 2. Can’t think of anything? Write “I’m stuck, I can’t think of anything!”—you will at least be moving your pen. 3. Keep writing. 4. Read what you did. 12

Recording Keep a notebook at all times—you never know when ideas will come to you. 13

Researching There are thousands of academic articles that you can use from your school library including databases from online sources. Utilize them. 14

Research Tips Take careful notes. Keep track of all of your sources. Avoid plagiarizing. Make a distinction between direct quotes and paraphrased information in your notes. 15

Organization Decide on length and organization based on the assignment’s purpose, audience, and thesis. Use an outline, list, or a rough draft to begin. 16

Introduction ü Captures your audience’s interest ü Provides background on your subject ü States your thesis 17

Conclusion ü Restates your argument ü Recommends a solution or states why your argument matters 18

REVISE “The first draft reveals the art; revision reveals the artist. ” —Michael Lee 19

Revising Questions to consider: Have I read what I have written? Are my details clear? Should I add or take out parts? Have I used the best ideas and words? Is my writing in a sensible order? What suggestions have others made? 20

Revis. E Some revision techniques that really make the difference between a great and a good paper: • Create a new outline for your draft. • Check the clarity of your transitions from paragraph to paragraph. • Make sure the argument is logical and relates to thesis. • Check the evidence. 21

Editing Questions to consider: Have I used complete sentences? Are my spelling, capitalization, and punctuation correct? Have I marked corrections that I need? Has someone checked my work? Do I have a correct and neat copy? 22

Now, you are ready to write effectively. Prepared by: Jeremias Dacillo Jr, SPUQC 23