Is it hard to write?
The Writing Process Steps in Writing an Essay Writing the first draft
Revising and Editing
Pre-Writing
Planning and Organizing
Final Draft!
Introduction What is the writing process ? Writing an essay takes time. That’s why writing is often referred to as a process. In other words, there are several steps to go through before you have a complete essay ready to turn in for a grade. In this lesson we will talk about those steps. They are: Pre-Writing
Organizing
Writing the First Draft
Revising and Editing
Final Copy
Pre-Writing
Step One
Pre-writing literally means, “before writing.” Before you actually begin writing your essay, you will need to do the following things:
choose a topic to write on brainstorm or generate ideas for your topic focus in on central ideas
Organizing Step Two
Making an outline can help you organize what you want to write. This is a rough plan for your essay and can help make the process of writing much easier. Essay Outline I.
Introduction
III.
Body
Thesis: _____________________
1. Topic Sentence: _____________ - supporting idea
____________
- supporting idea - supporting idea - supporting idea 3. Topic Sentence: ____________ - supporting idea - supporting idea
V.
Conclusion
2. Topic Sentence:
Writing the First Draft Step Three
After getting ideas and making an outline of your essay, it is time to start writing the essay. When you begin writing your rough draft, try to remember the following guidelines.
Don’t worry about writing the ‘perfect’ paper the first time. Your goal in writing a rough draft is to develop and support the ideas listed in your outline. Don’t focus on spelling and grammar as you write your rough draft. You can check this later in the writing process.
Revising and Editing Step Four
After you write your first draft, go back over it and look for ways to improve your essay.
Revision
Content and Organization
Editing
Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, etc.
The Final Copy Step Five
The last step is turning in your essay to be graded. Look at the guidelines below for turning in the final draft of your essay.
word-processed all new paragraphs indented five spaces 8 ½ by 11 inch white paper double spaced, size 12 font one inch margins on all sides
Pre-Writing How do you organize your ideas when you are preparing to write? • Brainstorming • Discussing • Free Writing
• Concept mapping
• • • •
Asking Questions Outlining Charting Timeline
Homework (1 whole sheet) How does your school life influence your future? What is the importance of the school to your life? Why do you need to go to school? Why do you go to school?
Creating Your Title • Your essay’s title should: – – – –
Be original Be a reasonable length Reflect your topic Be lively and attention-getting
• Your title should NOT: – Be generic/repeat the assignment – Be in ALL CAPS – Be in boldface, “quotation marks,” underlined, or italicized – Be followed by a period
Write Your Introduction • Your introductory paragraph should do the following: – Be a minimum of 4-6 sentences – Move from general to specific, with the thesis as the last sentence in the intro – Get the reader’s attention – Set the tone for the rest of the essay
• Strategies for developing an Introduction include – Providing background information – Telling a personal anecdote – Beginning with a quotation – Using an opposite – Asking a question
Thesis Statement • The thesis statement expresses the MAIN IDEA of your essay, the central point that your essay develops/supports. • Your thesis SHOULD: – Accurately predict your essay’s direction, emphasis, and scope – Make no promises that the essay will not fulfill – Be direct and straightforward.
Body Paragraphs: Topic Sentence • A Topic Sentence expresses the main idea of the body paragraph. • Begin each body paragraph with a Topic Sentence that – Narrows the focus of the paragraph – Accurately predicts the direction of the paragraph – Refers back to the Thesis statement
• Each BP should contain: – Topic Sentence—main idea of BP – Primary Support—explanation – Secondary Support—examples
Body Paragraphs continued • Body paragraphs must have – Unity—everything refers back to main point – Support—examples and details – Coherence—all points connect to form a whole; one point leads to another – Concise - brief
Write Your Conclusion • The concluding paragraph should – Contain a minimum of 4 sentences – Refer back to the main point, but not simply repeat the thesis (rephrase/restate) – NOT introduce any new ideas – Create a sense of closure – Call to action
Assignment 1. Bring your formal theme. 2. On a whole sheet of paper, front - prewriting activity back- first draft
First Draft First paragraph: Introduction Thesis statement (last sentence) Second/Third/Forth Paragraph: Topic Sentence. Explain. Give examples Fifth Paragraph: Conclusion
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