1. The Five Stages of Writing
Ajan Neville
June 2010

2. Writing class….. Organize your work in a writing folder.
Outside of class, you are welcome to meet with me in my office or …
Visit your class blog for additional information.

3. The Five Stages of Writing
Prewriting
Drafting
Revising
Editing
Publishing

4. Prewriting Think, Think, Think… Who is my audience?
My classmates, teachers, parents…
Do they have any knowledge of my topic?
Will I need to provide background knowledge?
What is the purpose of my writing?
Am I writing to provide information, to persuade, to describe something, or to tell a story?

5. Prewriting Brainstorm and Organize… What do I want to say?
What are the requirements ?
Do I need to research information or graphics 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 and write them down, create a web, put the information into a diagram.
Create an online Essay Map.

6. Prewriting
Sample of a Web

7. Prewriting
Sample of a Venn Diagram

8. Prewriting
You may create your own graphic organizer or choose and print one from the websites below.
Use the appropriate graphic organizer that helps you come up with great ideas.

9. Prewriting… (essay)
You may create your own Essay Map or print one from this website.
The online Essay Map automatically generates ideas into a standard five paragraph essay structure.
This map provides the “big picture” before proceeding to the next stage.

10. Prewriting Use your Learner Group….
We always complete prewriting together in class.
Use the group to help you generate ideas that interest you, or that you already know something about.
Complete all the steps of prewriting before starting to write.

11. Drafting Write it down… Are your thoughts organized?
Do you stick with the same idea throughout your writing?
Do you know what order you want to say things in?
Which ideas do you want to develop?
In your prewriting, you have identified 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 you develop further?

12. Drafting Write it down… In what order do you want to say your ideas?
In your prewriting, your thoughts or ideas have been placed 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.

13. Drafting
Now you try…
Take the prewriting material that you completed previously, 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. Be creative!

14. Revising Improve your writing content… 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?

15. Revising Improve your writing content…
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 easier for others to follow?

16. Revising
Keep it up…
You have been working really hard on your writing…now make it look your best! Read over your writing. Make sure the content will make sense to the reader. Read it out loud to yourself.
It is helpful to write a second or revised draft at this stage.

17. Editing Correct errors… 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.

18. Editing Correct errors… Have I had at least two people edit my paper?
Choose two people in your learning group, that are on the editing stage. If no one is, you may choose to look over your work again. Be sure to check after a few minutes to see if someone is ready.
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.

19. Editing Editing Marks… insert indent check spelling delete capitalize
lower case
insert period

20. Editing
Here we go…
Your writing has come a long way. You need to make sure to fix the errors. On your revised draft, be sure to make any necessary corrections. Refer back to your writing folder if you need help. You must edit your paper along with two of your learner group.

21. Publishing Get ready to share… Did I do my best work?
Did I include a title ?
Do I need a title page with illustrations?
Did I meet submission date?
Be sure to reread your work.
Self-assess your work using the rubric given to you.

22. Publishing Typing your work…
Get onto a computer connected to the internet.
Create a file in Word or PowerPoint,
or direct to webpage.
Read it again.
Make certain that your work meets the +1 Trait standards.
Publish on your website.
Comment on learning groups’ blogs.

23. Publishing Turning it in… What order does my work go in?
Online website or other, as required.
Draft/s.
Prewriting – graphic organizer,
essay map, etc.
Graded Rubric

24. Congratulations! You are now a master of the Five Stages of Writing!
You will be writing a lot this year and always follow this process.
Remember to be creative and publish the best work you can produce.

25. Possible Extensions What can I do now?
Write a reflection about what you will do differently, or the same, the next time you write.
Post a comment on each of your class members’ blog.
Start a new writing piece or blog an interesting topic.
Finally, file all graded work in your writing folder.

26. Teacher- Neville Cutting
Acknowledgement
This PowerPoint presentation has been adapted from an original work named: “The Writing Process”, published by Communication Arts.
The content has been modified and expanded to meet specific requirements of the writing classes for the English Program, Chonkanyanukoon School, Chonburi, Thailand.
Teacher- Neville Cutting