The Writing Process

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

Its not simple! The writing process isnt linear. It doesnt go from point A to point B like a nice, straight line… Think of it as something more circular... like a roller coaster. The writing process isnt linear. It doesnt 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. Stop! Go back! Read the assignment at least two times and be sure that you understand it.

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

Then narrow it. Why must you narrow? These topics are too big: Sports Movies Fashion You will write forever, and you wont be able to say anything meaningful if you try to write about a broad subject. Why must you narrow? These topics are too big: Sports Movies Fashion You will write forever, and you wont be able to say anything meaningful if you try to write about a broad subject.

On the other hand… If your topic is too narrow, you will paint yourself into a corner! Image from

After you narrow your topic… Think about it Ask (and answer) questions about it Brainstorm Cluster Be creative!

Creative? Yes! Try to make new connections Look from a different perspective Think about the topic in a new way Take risks! Yes! Try to make new connections Look from a different perspective Think about the topic in a new way Take risks!

Next: Write a (tentative) thesis statement. A thesis statement is the main idea for the entire paper. Everything else in the paper is connected to your thesis statement (or thesis) in some way. Well work on these in class. Your thesis might change a bit as you write. Thats okay! Write a (tentative) thesis statement. A thesis statement is the main idea for the entire paper. Everything else in the paper is connected to your thesis statement (or thesis) in some way. Well work on these in class. Your thesis might change a bit as you write. Thats okay!

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. 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. 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 example… Description Paints a picture in the audiences mind. A descriptive essay will have a lot of sensory detail. Compare and Contrast Shows how two things are alike or different. A compare and contrast essay will give concrete details that help a reader see the similarities or the differences. Narration Tells a story. A narrative essay is often written chronologically. Description Paints a picture in the audiences mind. A descriptive essay will have a lot of sensory detail. Compare and Contrast Shows how two things are alike or different. A compare and contrast essay will give concrete details that help a reader see the similarities or the differences. Narration Tells a story. A narrative essay is often written chronologically.

Organize your ideas Make some kind of outline Have an idea of where your paper will go before you start writing Make some kind of outline Have an idea of where your paper will go before you start writing

Finally! Write your first draft. Write it fast. Get your ideas down. (This is not the paper you will turn in.) 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. 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. 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 youre happy with. It should be something youd get a passing grade for. … is the first draft you will bring to class. It should be something youre happy with. It should be something youd get a passing grade for.

But youre not done yet! You will get feedback on your first draft. Maybe from me Maybe from a Page One tutor Definitely from a peer You will get feedback on your first draft. Maybe from me Maybe from a Page One tutor Definitely from a peer

REVISE! THE CIRCLE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN… After you get feedback…