Communication Arts The Writing Process

Communication Arts GUIDING CONCEPT As writers, we understand and demonstrate the ability and flexibility to use independent and collaborative strategies for planning, drafting revising and editing a variety of complex writings.

Communication Arts Five Stages of the Writing Process Prewriting Drafting Revising Editing Publishing

Communication Arts Prewriting Show me your work! Regardless of the topic you are writing about, you will need to complete the prewriting stage.

Communication Arts Prewriting Think, Think, Think… –Who is my audience? My classmates, teacher, a community member, a younger student… Do they have any knowledge of my topic? Will I need to provide background knowledge? –What is my purpose? Am I writing to provide information, to persuade, to find out information, or to tell a story?

Communication Arts Prewriting Think, Think, Think… –What do I want to say? What are the requirements that I have to have? Do I need to research information to complete my writing? –How do I want to say it? Am I writing a letter, creating a book or PowerPoint, an essay… –What graphic organizer will I use? Brainstorm ideas on a piece of paper, create a web, put the information into a Venn Diagram…

Communication Arts Prewriting Sample of a Web

Communication Arts Prewriting Sample of a Venn Diagram

Communication Arts Prewriting You may create your own graphic organizer, use one that you are familiar with, or find one on the Internet.

Communication Arts Drafting Now you try… You will use your prewriting and begin drafting it. Remember, this is not a time to worry about spelling or other errors. This a time to get your thoughts on the paper. The other stages will help you with the grammatical and spelling errors.

Communication Arts Drafting Write it down… –Are my thoughts organized? Do I stick with the same idea throughout my writing? Do I know what order I want to say things in? –Which ideas do I want to develop? On your prewriting identify the ideas which you must use, might use, and will not use. Do not cross anything totally out. You may decide at a later time to use it. What ideas should I develop further?

Communication Arts Drafting Write it down… –In what order do I want to say my ideas? On your prewriting, number your thoughts or ideas. Place them in the order that would make the most logical sense. If you are dealing with time, make sure they are in chronological order. –Did I skip lines? This will allow room for yourself and others to make corrections. –Did I label everything? My name is on the page and all pages have a page numbers.

Communication Arts Revising Keep it up… You have been working really hard on your writing and this is the stage when you “see it again” and make improvements. Read over your writing. Make sure the content makes sense to the reader. You may need to read it out loud to yourself. Consider reading it more than once.

Communication Arts Revising Improve your writing… –Are my details clear? Are my words descriptive? Did I use repetitive words? –Should I add or take out parts? Do I need to explain more? Is there something missing that I should include?

Communication Arts Revising Improve your writing… –Have I used the best ideas or words? Am I showing others that I know what I am writing about? Have I used the best examples or words to describe my ideas or thoughts? –Is my writing in a sensible order? Does my writing need to be in time order? Does the information need to be presented in a way that is easy for others to follow?

Communication Arts Editing Your writing has come a long way. You need to make sure to fix the errors. On your revised copy, be sure to make any necessary corrections. You must edit your paper along with two of your classmates.

Communication Arts Editing Correct your work… –Have I used complete sentences? All of my thoughts are complete. There are no run-ons. –Are my language conventions correct? Spelling Capitalization and punctuation Grammar –Have I used editing marks to make corrections? Remember to look in your writing folder if you forgot what to use.

Communication Arts Editing Correct your work… –Have I had at least two people edit my paper? Choose two people in the classroom to review your paper. Each person should sign your paper. Editing others work… Make sure to check for the same items you did when editing your own work. –Check for complete sentences, check the language conventions, and use editing marks for corrections.

Communication Arts Editing Editing Marks… insert indent check spelling delete capitalize lower case insert period

Communication Arts Publishing Get ready to share… –Did I do my best work? –Did I include a title (if needed)? –Is my final copy neat? –Should I illustrate the pages? You may use the computer to create this or draw your own. –Do I need a title page with illustrations? –Should I read it out loud?

Communication Arts Publishing The finish line… Take your writing through the final stage. Your final writing may be handwritten or typed depending on the assignment. Be sure to reread your work before turning it in. Self-assess your work using the rubric given to you. Show your BEST work!

Communication Arts Publishing Typing your work… –Be sure to reread your work. Spell check is not always reliable. Handwriting your work… –If you are given a certain type of paper to write on, make sure you have it. –There should be no errors in your work. Erase all mistakes so that you cannot see them. –Use your best handwriting.

Communication Arts ALWAYS ……….. Reread your work before turning it in.

Communication Arts Publishing Turning it in… –What order does my work go in? Final Copy Any Drafts (Please label these pages with DRAFT at the top). Prewriting

Communication Arts Congratulations! You have completed the stages of the writing process! We will be writing a lot this year using many different forms. There will be times you are given a topic, or you will be able to choose one. Remember to always be creative and do your best!