1. The Writing Process
THE P.O.W.E.R.S. OF WRITING

2. “P “ is for Pre-Write
The success of a piece of writing often depends on the time you take “before” you ever begin to write. This is your planning stage. Take the time to get as many ideas down on paper and out of your head as possible. Not all of your ideas will be ones that you will choose to use, but you have to get them out of your head to make room for the next idea that could be the one that works for you!

3. A good strategy to use for pre-writing is to “Free Write”
This is where you write your ideas down without worrying about organizing them. The purpose is to just get your ideas down on paper.
Write everything that comes to mind…leave nothing out.
Think about people, events and settings that you would like to write about.

4. “O ” is for Organize
Once you have all of your ideas down on paper, it is time to organize them. What idea or ideas to you want to keep and which will you get rid of?
Consider your purpose and your audience.
Decide what kind of order you want to put your ideas in so that they will make sense to your reader.

5. Short Story
Since your assignment is to write a short story, during your “organizing” you should create an outline that includes: intro, conflict, rising action, crisis, climax, falling action and conclusion.
Think also of the 5W’s: Who? What? When? Where? Why?

6. “W” is for Write
Now that you have your ideas written and you have created an outline, it is time to write the first draft of your piece.
This is not the time to be too concerned with details like spelling and punctuation. Instead, focus on paragraphing and making sure that your ideas flow well.
Always double-space to ensure that you have room for editing your work.

7. “E” is for Edit
Now that you have finished your first draft, it is time to edit your work.
Editors include (in this order):
1. Yourself!
2. A peer.
3. A second peer.
4. The teacher.

8. “Writer’s Checklist” for editing purposes
Did I write neatly?
Did I indent my paragraphs?
Did I write good paragraphs (topic sentence, supporting sentences and an ending sentence)?
Did I use capital letters properly?
Did I use proper punctuation?
Did I use good spelling?
Did I write in sequential order? Does the order of events make sense? Does my writing flow well?

9. “R” is for Revise
Revising your piece of writing means taking into consideration the feedback and suggestions that you were given during the editing process and making your writing better.
You will go through the editing and the revising process several times before you are ready to produce your final draft.

10. “S” is for Share
This is where you write the final copy so that you may share it with your audience…in this case me!

11. May the P.O.W.E.R.S. be with you!
They will allow you to become a better writer.