The Stages of Writing

1. The Stages of Writing Instructor: Martha J. Hofstetter ENG 005

2. Stages of the Writing Process Prewriting Writing Revising Editing Assignment Links to Explore Plagiarism

3. In this lesson, you will discover the stages of the writing process. Click on the following link in order to learn more about the stages of writing. We will focus mainly on the stages of prewriting, writing, editing, and revising. Stages of the Writing Process

4. By the end of this lesson, you will understand the stages of the writing process including knowing how to use prewriting strategies to effectively turn words into paragraphs. Writing, like life itself, is a voyage of discovery. -- Henry Miller

5. Let’s Explore • The first stage in the writing process • is Prewriting Click on the following link to learn more.

6. Prewriting Strategies Activities Freewriting: On a sheet of paper, freewrite for several minutes about the best or most disappointing friend you ever had. Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, or spelling. Clustering: In the center of a blank sheet of paper, write and circle the words best friend or most disappointing friend. Then, around the circle, add reasons and details about the friend. Making a List: On separate paper, make a list of details about the friend. Don’t worry about putting them in a certain order. Scratch Outline: On the basis of your prewriting, prepare a scratch outline made up of your main idea and the three main reasons you liked or were disappointed in your friend. Email to your Instructor: Martha J. Hofstetter, Ed.D

7. Stage 2:Writing The first draft should contain all the ideas from the prewriting stage you have decided to use. In this stage, explain your ideas fully, including details that will keep the reader’s interest. To learn more, click on the following.

8. Stage 3: Revising All writers revise – that is, rewrite what is written in order to improve it. As you revise, you check for support – that is, specific details, facts, and examples that fully explain your topic sentence. You also check for unity – that is, to drop any ideas or sentences that do not relate to the topic sentence. Check out the following for more information.

9. Stage 4: Editing Editing is carefully checking your paper for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and omitted words. Click on the following link to learn more.

10. The Writing Process Prewrite Write Revise Edit

11. Wow! What Now! Check out the following links to learn more. • http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/ • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ • http://www.arcanum-butler.k12.oh.us/writing_process.html • http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/generalgos.html

12. Now that you have gone through the stages of writing from prewriting to writing the final draft, it’s your turn to turn thoughts into words, words into sentences, and sentences into paragraphs. Edit Revise Prewrite Write Choose from one of the following writing assignments. You can save it as a word document and email it to your instructor Martha J. Hofstetter, Ed.D. Be sure to include your prewriting strategies and your first draft. Writing Assignment 1: Discuss one requirement for a happy family life. Complete this topic sentence (Topic Sentence): A basic requirement for a happy family life is _____________________. Provide supporting details. Writing Assignment 2: Describe an annoying trait. Choose someone you like or love and describe his or her most annoying habit or trait. In your topic sentence name the trait. For instance, you might say, “My husband’s most annoying trait is forgetfulness.” Make your examples as specific as possible and be sure the examples support the topic sentence.

13. One Final Word: Plagiarism Click on the following link to learn more. Plagiarism