The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

Section 1Section 1

5 Steps5 Steps PrewritePrewrite

Comprehend, brainstorm, and organizeComprehend, brainstorm, and organize WriteWrite

Get your ideas down in an organized wayGet your ideas down in an organized way ReviseRevise

ContentContent Identify errors in logic and clarityIdentify errors in logic and clarity

EditEdit Identify errors in capitalization, punctuation, and spellingIdentify errors in capitalization, punctuation, and spelling

PublishPublish Share with family, friends, and the world!Share with family, friends, and the world!

Before you begin . . . Before you begin . . .

Comprehend your paper’s expectationsComprehend your paper’s expectations Review the rubricReview the rubric Understand your taskUnderstand your task

Identify your topic & purposeIdentify your topic & purpose What is your topic? What are you suppose to be What is your topic? What are you suppose to be

writing about?writing about? What is your purpose? What is the goal of your What is your purpose? What is the goal of your

paper?paper? Identify your audienceIdentify your audience

Who are you writing your paper for? Who are you Who are you writing your paper for? Who are you expecting to read your work?expecting to read your work?

Step 1: PrewriteStep 1: Prewrite GenerateGenerate

Explore your thoughts about the topicExplore your thoughts about the topic Brainstorm possible ideas connected to your topic Brainstorm possible ideas connected to your topic

and purposeand purpose Do your researchDo your research Consider all sides (perspectives)Consider all sides (perspectives)

OrganizeOrganize Use your brainstorming to create an outline or an idea Use your brainstorming to create an outline or an idea

map (web/cluster)map (web/cluster) There are many ways to organize your ideas. We will There are many ways to organize your ideas. We will

be exploring organizational options throughout the be exploring organizational options throughout the rest of the school year.rest of the school year.

Lets Practice . . . Lets Practice . . .

What are the advantages (or disadvantages) of What are the advantages (or disadvantages) of a small (or large) family?a small (or large) family? Comprehend your taskComprehend your task

• What is the topic?What is the topic?• What is your position on the topic? (purpose)What is your position on the topic? (purpose)• Who are you expecting to read your paper? (audience) Who are you expecting to read your paper? (audience)

Attempt to create an idea map (web/cluster)Attempt to create an idea map (web/cluster) Attempt to create an outlineAttempt to create an outline

Step 2: WriteStep 2: Write

Review the rubrics expectations.Review the rubrics expectations. Get your writing down! Don’t worry about every Get your writing down! Don’t worry about every

word.word. Start with the first body paragraph! How can you Start with the first body paragraph! How can you

write an opening paragraph if you don’t even write an opening paragraph if you don’t even know what you have written?know what you have written?

Different topics should be in different Different topics should be in different paragraphs.paragraphs.

Paragraphs should have topic sentences.Paragraphs should have topic sentences. Paragraphs should be organized.Paragraphs should be organized.

Step 3: RevisingStep 3: Revising Review rubric and the revising guide checklist.Review rubric and the revising guide checklist. Content: Content:

Does my paper meet the expectations set forth by the rubric?Does my paper meet the expectations set forth by the rubric? Does my paper make sense? (logic)Does my paper make sense? (logic) Did I write what I wanted to write? (clarity)Did I write what I wanted to write? (clarity)

Style:Style: Is my writing organized? (information, paragraphs)Is my writing organized? (information, paragraphs) Is everything I wrote needed and on topic?Is everything I wrote needed and on topic? Am I wordy?Am I wordy?

Grammar/Mechanics:Grammar/Mechanics: Does my paper follow proper paragraphing and sentence structure Does my paper follow proper paragraphing and sentence structure

rules?rules? Do I have varied sentences structure?Do I have varied sentences structure? Are my sentences too long and hard to understand? Run-ons?Are my sentences too long and hard to understand? Run-ons? Are my sentences too short and choppy? Fragments?Are my sentences too short and choppy? Fragments?

Step 4: EditingStep 4: Editing

Review the rubric and the editing guide Review the rubric and the editing guide checklist.checklist.

Does my paper use the appropriate Does my paper use the appropriate punctuation?punctuation?

Does my paper follow capitalization rules?Does my paper follow capitalization rules? Is my spelling correct? Is my spelling correct? Do I have the appropriate word choice? Do I have the appropriate word choice?

(commonly confused words)(commonly confused words) Is my paper formatted properly?Is my paper formatted properly?

Step 5: PublishStep 5: Publish

Hand it in!Hand it in!