The Writing Process

1
The Writing Process

• The process of writing varies for each individual
  who sets out to begin a task, however as a high
  school student, you are still developing your own
  personal technique. As you gain experience and
  confidence you will find that your own method
  will start to take shape, and steps may start to
  combine or get skipped. Until then, you should
  go through each step carefully and thoughtfully
  to ensure you are producing your best work
  possible.

2
Step 1 Prewriting

• This is the THINKING and PLANNING stage
• Here you should
• Decide on a subject
• Take into consideration the interests of your
  audience
• Limit t he focus of your subject so that it is
  not too broad
• Formulate a tentative thesis statement
• Generate ideas for a subject

3

• This may look different to different people, but
  a graphic organizer is an excellent tool to help
  you start thinking

4
Stage 2 Drafting/Composing

• Use the ideas generated in the prewriting stage
  to compose a first draft
• Drafting involves selecting words, composing
  sentences, developing paragraphs, exploring
  questions, connecting ideas and experimenting
  with meaning
• The process of composing the first draft usually
  helps you clarify and expand on your preliminary
  ideas

5
Stage 2 Contd

• Your introductory paragraph sets the scene for
  what comes later. You should spend a significant
  amount of time on this section of your essay.
• This is where you need to state your thesis and
  establish an organizational pattern for what
  comes later.

6
Stage 3 Revising

• Now you must bring focus and clarity to your
  first draft by re-thinking what you have written.
  
• Add concrete details and examples to your draft
  to eliminate anything that is unnecessary.
• Successful paragraphs have three main
  characteristics unity, coherence and emphasis.

7
Stage 3 Contd

• Unity the paragraph contains only what is
  relevant to the topic. Everything else should be
  omitted. Question yourself constantly and ask if
  it is relevant to your topic.
• Coherence the logical arrangement and
  progression of ideas within a paragraph. Present
  your ideas in a proper sequence and by using
  transitions or connective words to show clearly
  how ideas are linked.
• Emphasis the specific elements and key ideas
  that stand out in some way, perhaps through
  parallelism in grammatical structure

8
Stage 4 Editing/Proofreading

• Editing requires a positive mindset. You have to
  want to find errors in style and structure.
• It involves clarifying your written draft and
  cutting words and whole sentences where
  necessary.
• It requires a thorough checking of spelling,
  grammar, usage, and formatting.
• It also involves proofreading to ensure that you
  have a final draft suitable for publication

9
Stage 4 Contd

• Hints to Proofreading
• Its O.K. to use people! Ask friends and family to
  help you out. Try to switch it up so that one or
  two people dont hate you.
• Spellcheck is not good enough! It doesnt catch
  miss-spelled words, that are words.
• Read aloud- if you catch yourself stumbling over
  a section, it is likely that your reader will
  too. Try to re-word it so it is less awkward.
• Walk away. Edit for a while, then walk away and
  come back with a fresh pair of eyes and brain.
  Works wonders!

10
Stage 5 Publishing

• Only happens sometimes
• Share your writing with your teacher and peers
  during a writers conference to help you decide
  which selections to put before a larger audience.
• Produce writing products such as essays, school
  newspapers and magazines.
• Organize a reading circle that meets periodically
  to share writings
• Submit your work to local newspapers or
  magazines.
• Enter your work in writing competitions. Good for
  getting scholarships!