The Writing Process Practical Applications for SAT, ACT, and GHSGT

Writers go through several steps, each bringing them closer to a finished product. All of these steps taken together are called the writing process.

The writing process is not so different from other processes you use everyday, for example, while parking a car or tying a shoelace. They seem complicated at first, but once you become familiar with the steps, you hardly notice that you are doing them.

Steps in the Writing Process There are five main steps in the writing process: Pre-writing Drafting Revising Editing Publishing

Pre-Writing In this step of the writing process, the following are involved: determine purpose for writing plan your main idea (thesis) jot down supporting ideas that come to mind list information audience needs to know

Drafting The following are involved when writing any drafts of your composition: include an introduction that will interest your readers organize the points you want to make in your composition address each point clearly end with a strong conclusion show your readers what you mean

Revising At this step of the writing process, you should complete the following: check your composition for clear meaning be certain that the topic is thoroughly addressed arrange sentences so that they read and flow smoothly remove unnecessary sentences

Editing In this step of the writing process, you should: seek and correct errors in grammar, sentence fragments, run-ons, subject-verb agreement seek and correct errors in word use, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization

Publishing In this final step of the writing process, after your composition is written exactly how you want it, then comes the time to present your composition to an audience. This audience can be one reader or a group of people. The audience can be real or hypothetical.

Four Tips for Good Writing 1. It considers the needs and knowledge of the audience. 2. It fulfills the writer’s purpose. 3. It includes a clear, definite main point. 4. It provides support that explains or proves the main point.

Audience the person or people who will read and evaluate what you write Below is a note from Marta to her mother: Mom, I wasn’t feeling very well this morning, so I’m going to stop by the doctor’s office before school to have her check me out. Don’t worry, I’m okay, but before this develops into a flu or something, I thought I’d get some medication or a shot just in case. You know that I can’t afford to miss any more school. See you later.

Audience con’t Now read Marta’s letter addressed to her doctor: When I woke this morning, I could tell I had a fever because I was sweating, and my head was dropping. When I looked in the mirror, I saw that my face was very swollen, especially around my eyes, which were almost swollen shut. My lips were also very swollen and dry. The skin on my forehead, nose, and cheeks was bright red and itchy. Within a few minutes, I had to vomit and had several such episodes before calling your office.

Purpose for Writing The purpose you are writing is simply the reason. Many times, especially for a class assignment or a national test, the purpose is given to you. Your purpose for writing is usually to show something, to explain something, or to create a convincing argument.

Main Point in the Composition The main point that you want to make to your readers needs to have a clear, central point in your paper. Everything that you write in the paper should support that point.

Main Point in the Composition In paragraphs the main point is known as the topic sentence In essays the main point is known as the thesis statement

Using Support in Your Composition The support in your composition is the information and ideas you use to show, explain, or prove your main point. There are two basic kinds of support: Major or primary support Supporting details or secondary support

Major or Primary Support the sentences that present the information and ideas that directly support your main point

Supporting Details or Secondary Support the sentences that give readers more detail about your major points

The Essay Structure An essay has multiple paragraphs and, like a paragraph, three necessary parts: an introduction that includes a thesis statement a body a conclusion

The Introduction may be a single paragraph or multiple paragraphs must contain the main point in a single, strong statement known as the thesis Responsible driving involves paying attention to your own driving, being aware of other drivers, and always putting safety first.

The Body supports (shows, explains, or proves) the main point it usually has at least three paragraphs dedicated to supporting the main point each paragraph begins with a topic sentence

The Conclusion reminds readers of the main point summarizes the support and makes an observation based on that support

Review 1.What are the five steps of the writing process? 2.Your _______ consists of the person or people who will read your composition. 3.Your _______ is the reason you are writing. 4.A topic sentence or thesis statement states your ____. 5.The body of a paragraph or essay ______ the main point.