Writing is› Following a step-by-step process of

planning, drafting and revising.› Thinking through and organizing ideas.› Explaining your ideas or experiences

clearly and correctly.› Using precise, descriptive, and accurate

vocabulary.› Constructing clear understandable

sentences.› A skill that can be learned.

Writing is NOT› Being able to pick up a pen or sit at a

computer and write something wonderful on your first try.

› Developing new, earthshaking ideas no one has ever thought of before.

› Being primarily concerned with grammatical correctness.

› Showing off a large vocabulary.› Constructing long, complicated sentences.

STEP 1: PREWRITING STEP 2: DRAFTING STEP 3: REVISING STEP 4: PROOFREADING STEP 5: PUBLISHING

THINK Decide on a topic to write about. Consider who will read or listen to your

written work. Brainstorm ideas about the subject. List places where you can research

information. Do your research.

WRITE Put the information you researched into

your own words. Write sentences and paragraphs even

if they are not perfect. Read what you have written and judge

if it says what you mean. Show it to others and ask for

suggestions. 

MAKE IT BETTER Read what you have written again. Think about what others said about it. Rearrange words or sentences. Take out or add parts. Replace overused or unclear words. Read your writing aloud to be sure it

flows smoothly.

MAKE IT CORRECT Be sure all sentences are complete. Correct spelling, capitalization, and

punctuation. Change words that are not used

correctly. Have someone check your work. Recopy it correctly and neatly.

SHARE THE FINISHED PRODUCT Read your writing aloud to a group. Create a book of your work. Send a copy to a friend or relative. Put your writing on display. Illustrate, perform, or set your creation

to music. Congratulate yourself on a job well

done!

Freewriting› Writing nonstop about a topic for a

specified period of time. Brainstorming

› Making a list of everything you can think of that has to do with your topic.

Branching Using diagrams or drawings to generate

ideas

Outlining› A method of listing the main points you will

cover and their subpoints (details in the order in which you will present them.

› Idea Mapping An idea map is a drawing that shows the

content and organization of a piece of writing.

A paragraph is a group of sentences, usually at least three or four, that expresses one main idea.› Topic sentence- the paragraph’s one main

idea is expressed in this one sentence› Supporting details- All the other sentences

in the paragraph.

Essay- a group of paragraphs about one subject› Thesis Statement- contains the one key

idea about the subject› Organized into

Introductory paragraph Body (one or more paragraphs) Concluding paragraph

Introductory Paragraph› Should establish the topic of the essay› Should present the thesis statement

appropriately for your audience› Should catch the attention of your

audience

The Body› Should provide information that

supports and explains your thesis statement.

› Should present each main supporting point in a separate paragraph.

› Should contain enough detailed information to make the main point of each paragraph understandable and believable

Concluding Paragraph› Should reemphasize but not restate your

thesis statement› Should draw your essay to a close

Feedback from other members of your class.

Peers tell you what they like and what they think you need to do to improve your writing.

When reviewing, read the draft at least once before making judgments.

Offer positive comments first. Use the Revision Checklist from the book Explain with detail how something could

be improved.