A Quick Guide to All Things Writing

The Writing Process

Before you start

Find a little inspiration! As Monty Python

says
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8G7Y9mn
eVM

In search of
my mothers
garden, I found
my own
Alice Walker

1. Pre-Writing: the Hatching of

new Ideas
Mapping
Brainstorming
Clustering
Free-writing
Looping

2. Outlining
A way to develop the logical reasoning or

hierarchy of information within a paper

generally identifying the basic or main ideas
followed by targeted, specific subsidiary ideas.

Words From A Writer:

The only true creative aspect of writing

is the first draft. Thats when its coming

straight from your head and your heart.
Evan Hunter

3. Drafting: The Main Course

The pulling together of ideas, arguments and

thoughts into a structured, formatted paper:

Introductory paragraph: states purpose of

paper; identifies thesis statement.

Drafting continued
Helpful hints to help you develop your

introductory paragraph:
1st Sentence: GRAB THE READER!
2nd-4th Sentences: Offer background information.

Add clarification to first sentence.

Continuing sentences: Introduce your specific
topic. (Remember, specific is terrific!) Work up
to thesis statement. Add any more background
information if you have to.
Final sentence: Focal point of your introductory
paragraphyour thesis statement.
(Write For College, 2007)

Words From A Writer

Writing is how we think about our way

into a subject and make it our own.

William Zinsser
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=hqp7A0B7abc&feature=r

elated

Drafting: Body or Middle

Summarize

Explain

Quote
Narrate
Describe

Design

Argue
Compare
Analyze

Reflect

(Write for College, 2007)

Employ ACES

A Action
C Connection
E Emotion
S Sense
Use precise word

choice; build action,

argument and detail.

Drafting: Closing Paragraph

Ties up any loose ends; helps reader reflect on

information and arguments with new

understanding
Restates the thesis clearly, concisely
Highlights one or more of the key points

covered in the body paragraphs

Answers any of the unresolved questions
Provides a final bit of analysis and/or reflection
Helps reader appreciate the importance of the
information covered
Relates essay to readers own experiences
(Write For College, 2007)

More about the closing

paragraph
Constructing the closing paragraph:
1st Sentence: Restate thesis statement.
2nd-4th Sentences: Expand on first sentence;

clarify point to remind reader of purpose.

Subsequent sentences: Stress importance of
one or more of the key points.
Final sentence: Add one final thoughtdont go
out with a fizzle, go out with a bang!
(Write For College, 2007)

Words From A Writer

Be yourself. Above all, let who you are,

what you are, what you believe shine

through every sentence you write. John
Jakes

4. Revising
Revising is simple:
REDUCE
REFINE
STREAMLINE
Add information only if necessary. Often times, writers

will include TOO much information. Delete anything

that seems overstated or redundant.
Refine word choice and syntax. Move the material
(words, sentences, paragraphs) to create an organized
flow of thought and/or to make a dramatic impact.
Rework any of the paragraphs if anything seems
confusing or unclear, or is needing to be simplified.
(Write For College, 2007)

Words From A Writer

[Good] writing is concise. A sentence should

contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no

unnecessary sentences, for the same reason
that a drawing should have no unnecessary
lines and a machine no unncessary parts.
William Strunk

5. Proofing & Editing

Now that your writing is reduced, refined and

streamlined it is time to perfect it

Peer Review: discuss writingpurpose,
audience, form, content, voice, conventions.
Edit for grammar, punctuation, usage,
capitalization, spelling and format.

(Write For College, 2007)

6. Repeat!
The writing process is never over. If for any

reasons, at any time, you feel something

needs to changed or modified in your paper,
do it! Your writing belongs to you. Own it, be
proud of it!