Three Phases of Effective Writing The Writing Process

  • Slides: 17
Download presentation
Three Phases of Effective Writing

Three Phases of Effective Writing

The Writing Process: Three Phases • Get ready to write • Write the first

The Writing Process: Three Phases • Get ready to write • Write the first draft • Revise your draft Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 2

Getting Ready to Write • Step 1: List and schedule writing tasks – Break

Getting Ready to Write • Step 1: List and schedule writing tasks – Break project into smaller tasks – Estimate time for each step – Start with due date and work backward Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 3

Getting Ready to Write • Step 2: Generate ideas – Brainstorm with a group

Getting Ready to Write • Step 2: Generate ideas – Brainstorm with a group – Speak it – Use free writing • Write without stopping • Let your ideas flow • Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, or grammar Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 4

Getting Ready to Write • Step 3: Refine initial ideas – Select a topic

Getting Ready to Write • Step 3: Refine initial ideas – Select a topic and a working title • Don’t get stuck—you can change it later • Don’t select too broad a topic – Write a thesis statement • Make an assertion or describe an action • Use a complete sentence Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 5

Getting Ready to Write • Step 4: Consider your purpose – To make your

Getting Ready to Write • Step 4: Consider your purpose – To make your audience think differently: • Make your writing clear and logical • Support your assertions with evidence – To make your audience feel differently: • Consider crafting a story – To make your audience take an action: • Explain what steps to take • Offer solid benefits for doing so Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 6

Getting Ready to Write • Step 5: Do initial research – Get an overview

Getting Ready to Write • Step 5: Do initial research – Get an overview of the subject • Step 6: Outline – Brainstorm ideas on 3 by 5 cards – Group cards into category stacks – Arrange stacks and cards in logical order Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 7

Getting Ready to Write • Step 7: Do in-depth research – Use techniques in

Getting Ready to Write • Step 7: Do in-depth research – Use techniques in Chapters 4 and 5 – Use 3 by 5 cards • Write one idea per card • Always include source information – Sense when to begin writing Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 8

Writing the First Draft • • • Remember: The first draft is not for

Writing the First Draft • • • Remember: The first draft is not for keeps Write freely Be yourself Let your inner writer take over Ease into it Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 9

Writing the First Draft • • • Make writing a habit Respect your deep

Writing the First Draft • • • Make writing a habit Respect your deep mind Get physical Use affirmations and visualizations Hide it in your drawer for a while Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10

Revising Your Draft • Step 1: Cut – Cut passages that don’t contribute to

Revising Your Draft • Step 1: Cut – Cut passages that don’t contribute to your purpose – Look for excess baggage – Make larger cuts first: sections, chapters, pages – Then make smaller cuts: paragraphs, sentences, phrases, words Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 11

Revising Your Draft • Step 2: Paste – Examine what’s left after cutting •

Revising Your Draft • Step 2: Paste – Examine what’s left after cutting • Look for missing transitions and connecting ideas • Look for consistency within paragraphs • Look for consistency between paragraphs and sections – Reorder your ideas logically • Imaging cutting your paper up with scissors and pasting passages down in a new order Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 12

Revising Your Draft • Step 3: Fix – Examine individual words and phrases –

Revising Your Draft • Step 3: Fix – Examine individual words and phrases – Rely on nouns and verbs – Use the active voice – Don’t be verbose or vague – Define terms readers may not know Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 13

Revising Your Draft • Step 4: Prepare – Know the required formats • Margins

Revising Your Draft • Step 4: Prepare – Know the required formats • Margins • Title page • Notes and bibliographies – Use quality paper – Bind your paper with a cover Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 14

Revising Your Draft • Step 5: Proof – Check spelling and grammar – Look

Revising Your Draft • Step 5: Proof – Check spelling and grammar – Look for: • • • Clear thesis statement Guidepost sentences Supporting details Lean sentences Action verbs, specific nouns Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 15

What is plagiarism? • Using another person’s words or pictures without giving proper credit.

What is plagiarism? • Using another person’s words or pictures without giving proper credit. • Plagiarism can cost your grade and may result in expulsion from school. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 16

Avoiding Plagiarism • Use quotation marks for direct quotes, and document the source •

Avoiding Plagiarism • Use quotation marks for direct quotes, and document the source • Paraphrase properly, and credit as you would for a direct quote For more information, consult the Modern Language Association. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 17