The Writing Process

What is it? Have you heard this phrase before? What do you know about “the writing process”?

It’s not simple! The writing process isn’t linear. It doesn’t go from point A to point B like a nice, straight line… Think of it as something more circular... like a roller coaster.

But before you get on the ride-- Stop! Go back! Read the assignment at least two times and be sure that you understand it.

Next: Choose a general subject What’s your paper going to be about? (Sometimes your instructors do this part for you… they might tell you what to write about.)

Know your audience In college, you are usually writing for an “academic” audience. You need to use academic language. No contractions. No “gonna”, “wanna”, spoken English. You need to be careful about spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

Decide on your pattern “Organizational pattern,” “method of development,” “rhetorical pattern,” and “rhetorical strategy” all mean the same thing. These phrases refer to the way you choose to organize your essay. Each pattern/method/strategy requires different details.

For your first assignment… Summary You will be writing a one-paragraph summary. The first sentence of your paragraph will contain specific information. Because the assignment is short, you need to be sure it’s as close to perfect as you can get.

Organize your ideas You need a thorough understanding of the text you will write about before you start writing. You might want to make a rough outline of your summay before you begin.

Finally! Write your first draft. Write it fast. Get your ideas down. (This is not the paper you will turn in.)

Take a break. Go away. Take a walk. Call a friend. Watch a movie. Distract yourself.

Then come back! Read your paper. Does it make sense? Where can you make it clearer? Check your grammar. Check your spelling. Check your punctuation. Make changes.

THIS… … is the first draft you will bring to class. It should be something you’re happy with. It should be something you’d get a passing grade for.

But you’re not done yet! Get feedback on your first draft. Maybe from me in the lab Maybe from a Page One tutor Definitely from a peer

ReVise! The circle starts all over again… After you get feedback… ReVise! The circle starts all over again…