2.  Writing is › Following a step-by-step process of planning, drafting and revising. › Thinking through and organizing ideas. › Explaining your ideas or experiences clearly and correctly. › Using precise, descriptive, and accurate vocabulary. › Constructing clear understandable sentences. › A skill that can be learned.

3.  Writing is NOT › Being able to pick up a pen or sit at a computer and write something wonderful on your first try. › Developing new, earthshaking ideas no one has ever thought of before. › Being primarily concerned with grammatical correctness. › Showing off a large vocabulary. › Constructing long, complicated sentences.

4.  STEP 1: PREWRITING  STEP 2: DRAFTING  STEP 3: REVISING  STEP 4: PROOFREADING  STEP 5: PUBLISHING

5. THINK  Decide on a topic to write about.  Consider who will read or listen to your written work.  Brainstorm ideas about the subject.  List places where you can research information.  Do your research.

6. WRITE  Put the information you researched into your own words.  Write sentences and paragraphs even if they are not perfect.  Read what you have written and judge if it says what you mean.  Show it to others and ask for suggestions.

7. MAKE IT BETTER  Read what you have written again.  Think about what others said about it.  Rearrange words or sentences.  Take out or add parts.  Replace overused or unclear words.  Read your writing aloud to be sure it flows smoothly.

8. MAKE IT CORRECT  Be sure all sentences are complete.  Correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.  Change words that are not used correctly.  Have someone check your work.  Recopy it correctly and neatly.

9. SHARE THE FINISHED PRODUCT  Read your writing aloud to a group.  Create a book of your work.  Send a copy to a friend or relative.  Put your writing on display.  Illustrate, perform, or set your creation to music.  Congratulate yourself on a job well done!

10.  Freewriting › Writing nonstop about a topic for a specified period of time.  Brainstorming › Making a list of everything you can think of that has to do with your topic.  Branching  Using diagrams or drawings to generate ideas

11.  Outlining › A method of listing the main points you will cover and their subpoints (details in the order in which you will present them. › Idea Mapping  An idea map is a drawing that shows the content and organization of a piece of writing.

12.  A paragraph is a group of sentences, usually at least three or four, that expresses one main idea. › Topic sentence- the paragraph’s one main idea is expressed in this one sentence › Supporting details- All the other sentences in the paragraph.

13.  Essay- a group of paragraphs about one subject › Thesis Statement- contains the one key idea about the subject › Organized into  Introductory paragraph  Body (one or more paragraphs)  Concluding paragraph

14.  Introductory Paragraph › Should establish the topic of the essay › Should present the thesis statement appropriately for your audience › Should catch the attention of your audience

15.  The Body › Should provide information that supports and explains your thesis statement. › Should present each main supporting point in a separate paragraph. › Should contain enough detailed information to make the main point of each paragraph understandable and believable

16.  Concluding Paragraph › Should reemphasize but not restate your thesis statement › Should draw your essay to a close

17.  Feedback from other members of your class.  Peers tell you what they like and what they think you need to do to improve your writing.  When reviewing, read the draft at least once before making judgments.  Offer positive comments first.  Use the Revision Checklist from the book  Explain with detail how something could be improved.