The Writing Process

TheWritingProcess by Sharon Cronk-Raby

Question Who is your favorite author?

Quote “We have discovered that writing allows even a stupid person to seem halfway intelligent, if only that person will write the same thought over and over again, improving it just a little bit each time. It is a lot like inflating a blimp with a bicycle pump. Anyone can do it. All it takes is time.” ~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. http://www.vonnegut.com/

A Process Remember, whatever you call the steps, writing does happen in steps. Writing is a process.

Why is writing done in steps? • We are not perfect, so we get many chances to make the work our best. • It helps keep writer’s block away!

Overview • Pre-Writing • Drafting • Revising • Proofreading • Publishing • Reflecting

Pre-Writing • Pre = before • Pre-writing is what you do before you write. • Pre-writing can be done in your head, or it can be written down(or both!) Step 1

Pre-Writing • Consider: • Assignment Guidelines • Topic • What do you know? • What do you need to know? • Audience • Purpose Step 1

Pre-Writing • Throughout the semester, we will practice many pre-writing strategies, including (but not limited to): • Brainstorming (alone or with others) • Questioning • Freewriting • Focused Freewriting • Listing • Mapping • Outlining Step 1

Pre-Writing • Now, fit the pieces together. • Find commonalities of ideas. • How will you organize your information? Step 1

Drafting • Also called the Rough Draft stage • Put your ideas on paper in sentences and paragraphs. • If writing long-hand, skip lines. • If typing, double space. • Do not worry about the mechanics… yet! Step 2

Revising • Look over ideas: • Does each paragraph focus on a main idea? • Does each paragraph have a topic sentence? • Are ideas supported with specific details and examples? • This is the step to change, add, or remove ideas. • Are ideas organized clearly? • Are you saying what you mean to be saying? Double check your word choice. • This will require multiple read-throughs! • Can you have someone read your draft? Step 3

Proofreading • Now is the time to check the mechanics & conventions: • Spelling • Grammar • Punctuation • Capitalization • Sentence structure and variety • Any specifics to the guidelines of the writing (MLA) (APA) • This will require multiple read-throughs! • Can you have someone read your draft? Step 4

Publishing • Type your final copy with corrections made. • Follow the proper (MLA) (APA) guidelines: • Heading • Title • Margins • Font • Formatting • Works Cited / Reference Page • This is your chance to present your work! Step 5

Reflecting • Ask yourself, “How did I do?” • Take time to consider what went well (or not), and make adjustments for the next piece of writing you do. • When your paper is graded and returned: • Review all comments • Ask questions as needed • Make modifications so that mistakes are not repeated but the strong elements are! Step 6

Quote “All of us who write, work out of a conviction that we are participating in some sort of communal activity. Whether my role is writing, or reading and responding, might not be very important. . . . By honoring one another’s creation we honor something that deeply connects us all, and goes beyond us.” ~Joyce Carol Oates http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/oat0bio-1 Phillips, Robert. “The Art of Fiction No. 72.” The Paris Review 74 (1978). 3 Mar. 2009 <http://www.theparisreview.org/media/3441_OATES.pdf>.

Questions

The Writing Process