Writing Workshop

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Writing Workshop

• Business Writing vs. Creative Writing

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Presentation Outline

• Instructors Expectations
• Five Steps of the Writing Process
• Basic Paper Structure
• How to Formulate a Thesis
• How to Develop Your Argument
• How to Conclude

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Expectations for Critical Analysis

• Paper has a clear thesis.
• Writer shows an understanding of the topic.
• Paper is organized and flows logically.
• Points are supported by objective facts.
• Outside sources are documented and cited.
• Paper is written in standard English.

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The Writing Process 5 Steps

• Overview
• Research and Notes
• Brainstorm
• First Draft
• Read for Content
• Proofread

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The Writing Process 5 Steps

• Research and Notes
• Read sources on your topic.
• Take notes as you read.
• Gather facts to support your thesis.

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The Writing Process 5 Steps

• Research and Notes
• A thesis statement is a specific sentence that
  sums all the major points of your paper and gives
  the paper focus and direction. It is the answer
  to the problem/question you are trying to solve.

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The Writing Process 5 Steps

• Brainstorm
• Use pen and paper.
• Use techniques to generate ideas
• Outline/List
• Mind Mapping
• Piggy-backing
• Generate quantity, then evaluate quality.

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The Writing Process 5 Steps

• First Draft
• This is your first attempt to move
• thoughts, ideas, and fact to paper.
• Dont revise as you write let it flow.
• Focus on content.
• Keep thesis in view.
• Use your notes outline.

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The Writing Process 5 Steps

• Read for Content
• Let it rest.
• Check your facts.
• Adequate support
• Objective
• Clarity
• Make sure there is a flow to the content.
• Check by outlining revised draft.

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The Writing Process 5 Steps

• Proofread
• Proofing is NOT spell-check.
• Proof from hard copy, not from the screen.
• Read for construction, not content.
• Use scanning techniques.
• Verify spelling, grammar, punctuation.
• Check proper nouns!!

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Basic Paper Structure
Three Part Structure 1. Introduction
(Tell them what youre going tell them) 2.
Argument - Paper Body (Tell them) 3.
Conclusion - (Tell them what you told them)
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Basic Paper Structure

• Introduction
• You may want to start w/ quote or interesting
  fact, statement.
• Funnel facts until you get to your point.
• End with your thesis statement.
• Know your topic.
• Summarize.
• What question are you trying to answer?
• Write a complete answer to your question.

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Basic Paper Structure

• Argument -
• When brainstorming, use different pages (post-it
  notes) for each point.
• Develop each point fully.
• Develop internal flow, then make points flow.
• Remember, business writing is NOT creative.
• Business Writing is clear, concise, and correct!

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Basic Paper Structure

• Conclusion
• Dont just re-state provide reader with
• a final thought.
• Reverse the funnel.
• Project to the future.

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How to Formulate a Thesis Statement

• Read and understand your sources of information.
• Summarize your sources.

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How to Formulate a Thesis Statement

• What is the over-riding idea/question that you
  could ask based on the information youve read?
  What common theme is discussed in all of the
  articles?
• State the answer to this question COMPLETELY

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How to Develop Your Argument

• List two or three objective facts contained in
  your articles that will prove your thesis.
• Build an argument that supports each fact. Use
  info from the articles.
• List the points in the order they would appear in
  a paper.

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How to Conclude

• Summarize your argument in one or
• two sentences.
• What does your summary say about the future of
  this company?