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Writing Process. The steps to becoming a competent writer. Planning. What separates most good writing from bad is the writer’s ability to move back and forth between general statements and specific details. Select a topic. Not too broad – leads to vague generalizations
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Writing Process The steps to becoming a competent writer
Planning • What separates most good writing from bad is the writer’s ability to move back and forth between general statements and specific details.
Select a topic • Not too broad – leads to vague generalizations • Education is necessary for success. • Not too narrow – not enough supporting information • Mark Davis attends COTC.
Ask yourself …. • What is the paper’s purpose?
Generate ideas for your paper • Free writing • Brainstorming • Mapping/webbing – leads to a subject tree • Questioning (who, what, where, when, why, how) • Tape recording • Discuss with someone • Internet search • Idea book or journal • Incubate – let your ideas simmer for awhile
Shaping • You will organize your material, creating a beginning, a middle and an end. Set the stage, provide substance and end with a logical conclusion.
First step to shaping • Create a thesis statement • A thesis statement is the central message of your paper; • it is the main idea and should reflect the paper’s content.
Thesis statement requirements • States the essay’s subject • Conveys the essay’s purpose (informative or persuasive?) • Indicates the focus – your point of view • Uses specific language, appropriate words • May state major subdivisions of topic
Next step: creating an outline • Phrases or topic outline. • Sentence outline.
Next step: introductory paragraph • Includes the thesis statement. • Capture the reader’s attention and hold it!
Next step: body of paper • Where’s the beef?
Next step: paper’s conclusion • Restate your thesis statement in other words.
Draft • Drafting a paper means getting your ideas onto paper in complete sentences and paragraphs. • Set aside uninterrupted time and place. • Put ideas down on paper, just move forward. • Use complete sentences and form paragraphs.
Revise – re-vision • See your paper with new eyes. Ask how you can improve the paper. • Step away from your paper. • Add necessary words, paragraphs. • Cut anything that strays from topic. • Replace words, sentences, paragraphs. • Move paragraphs around; review the logical order. Make your ideas flow.
Edit • You will check for technical correctness during the editing process. • Check spelling. • Check punctuation. • Correct sentence structure. • Typographical errors. • Check for coherent thinking and writing. • Select appropriate words. • Write another draft.
Proofread • Use a fine-tooth comb to check your paper for accuracy and neatness. • Papers that look sloppy tend to obscure the message intended and can result in lower grades.
Proofreading tips • Ask others to read your work or read it aloud to you. • Use a ruler underneath each line to check for errors. • Read your paper backwards, sentence by sentence. • Read it aloud to someone else.