Improving Your Writing Process

1. ImprovingYour Writing Process The Writing Studio at Keiser University 2007

2. The Writing Process Simplified Many simplify the writing process into 4 easy steps: 1. Brainstorming/Prewriting • Developing ideas; gathering information; organizing 2. Drafting/Writing • Writing a first draft; getting ideas down on paper 3. Revising/Rewriting • Developing initial ideas; adding and subtracting ideas; refining language 4. Editing/Proofreading • Proofreading for grammatical and mechanical errors and mistakes

3. 1. Brainstorming 2. Writing 3. Revising 4. Editing 5. Drafting 6. Proofreading 7. Prewriting 8. Thinking 9. Writing 10. Editing 11. Revising 12. Writing 13. Thinking 14. Writing 15. Proofreading 16. Drafting 17. Revising 18. And on and on… The Writing Process Reality CHAOS!!!

4. The Writing Process Reality For many… the writing process is EXHAUSTION.

5. The Writing Process Improved How can we improve our writing process? • Understand ourselves as writers • Better understand assignments/writing tasks • Talk with others, get feedback

6. Understanding Ourselves …as Writers • ASK: “How do I do my best work as a writer?” Do you… … prefer writing in a loud or quiet space? … need to eat (maybe even something specific)? … always feel the need to clean before writing? … like to walk/jog/exercise and think first? … just like to sit down and go. • ASK: “What are my strengths? weaknesses?” • ASK: “When I write, what are the first things I do?”

7. Understanding Ourselves …as Writers “Writing Routine” A “Writing Routine” is a set of practices a writer follows every time she is going to write. For some people, developing a “writing routine” is an effective way of working through the writing process.

8. Understanding Ourselves …as Writers Developing a “Writing Routine” Try to determine… • what you like to do before you write. • the physical space in which you work best. • the time of day/night you do your best writing. • the types of prewriting exercises that are most effective for you. Once you determine a good routine, stick with it!

9. Understanding Ourselves …as Writers “Writer’s Inventory” A Writer’s Inventory can provide a writer with • a checklist of items that ought to be addressed in the writing • a series of questions that help them understand themselves as writers • Try a Writer’s Inventory!

10. Better Understanding ofWriting Assignments/Tasks Read assignment closely, carefully. Look closely at every task involved; add tasks to an inventory list. Break down individual tasks into smaller parts. Determine how your writing will be evaluated. What is your instructor looking for in your work? Find out if there is a rubric you can look at.

11. The Rhetorical Triangle Writer (sender) Reader (receiver) Text (message) Context/Purpose It often helps to determine each of these. Meaning is made when these elements interact. 1 Better Understanding of Writing Assignments/Tasks

12. Talk with Others,Get Feedback Collaboration! • Asking questions • Generating ideas • Talking about writing Research shows that discussing writing with another person helps one grow as a writer!!!

13. Talk with Others,Get Feedback • Visit the Writing Studio • Talk with a trained writing consultant • Get immediate feedback • Visit the Online Writing Lab • Email questions/concerns • Review writing resources

14. Works Cited 1- Lunsford, Andrea A. and Cheryl Glenn. “Rhetorical Theory and the Teaching of Writing.” On Literacy and Its Teaching. Ed. Gail Hawisher and Anna Sorter. Albany: SUNY P, 1990. 174-89.