1. The Writing Process

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

3. 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.

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

5. Next:
Brainstorm ideas – this takes time! Come up with a main idea that is appropriate for the assignment.
Write a (tentative) thesis statement.

6. 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. We’ll work on these in class.
Your thesis might change a bit as you write. That’s okay!

7. Know Your Audience
In college, you are usually writing for an “academic” audience.
You need to use academic language.
No contractions.
No “gonna”, “wanna”, or slang.
You need to be careful about spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

8. Next: Organize Your Ideas
Make some kind of outline
Have an idea of where your paper will go before you start writing

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

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

11. Then come back! Read your paper. Do your ideas make sense?
Do your ideas connect to the thesis?
Where can you make the paper clearer?

12. … still not done…
Once your bigger concerns are clearer (ideas, organization, etc.), you will need to bring your focus to smaller – but just as important – concerns…

13. Proofreading and Editing
A crucial part of the writing process is proofreading for mistakes – grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.
You need to learn to find your mistakes and fix them (editing).

14. Proofreading and Editing
You will want to do this on your own first – some strategies are reading out loud and reading from the end of the essay to the beginning.
And you will want to do this with someone else – a peer, a tutor at Page One, etc.
Fix all the mistakes you can – it will help your grade a great deal.

15. THIS… … is the first draft you will bring to class for peer review.
It should be something you’re happy with.
It should be something you’ll get a passing grade for.
… and then you’ll take it home and revise again .