The Confident WriterChapter 1:

Becoming a Confident Writer

How to Be a Confident Writer

6 Steps to Confident Writing:1. Adjust your frame of mind.2. Schedule time for writing.3. Motivate yourself.4. Develop your powers of observation.5. Read.6. Get wired.

The Reading & Writing Connection

Reading & Writing◦Operate on two levels

Literal level: words and what they say Critical level: words and what they suggest

Essay◦A relatively short piece of writing that may

serve one or more purposes: Inform, entertain, persuade, or express an idea,

feeling, or impression

The Reading & Writing Connection

To Read an Essay◦Build background before reading◦Read actively◦Review after reading

Reading enables us to explore ideas and develop our writing topics.

The more good writing we read, the better our own writing becomes!

Writing an Essay: The Basics

All of the following are important with writing and reading essays:◦Topic◦Purpose◦Audience◦Thesis (or central idea)◦Evidence◦Organizational Pattern◦Meaning

Direction of Development

Intro• Builds a

reader’s interest, clarifies writer’s purpose, & provides background info of topic

Thesis Statement• A sentence

that states the writer’s opinion of the topic

Support• Evidence (main

ideas & specific details) is presented to support & explain thesis

Conclusion• Provokes a

response from readers

Make Good Choices for Writing

Who will be your audience?Consider: age, roles, knowledge, assumptions, interests, values, & culture

What will be your purpose?Determined why you want to write & what you want your audience to know

What will be your thesis?What point are you making about your topic? A good thesis controls your

selection of evidence.

What evidence will support your thesis?Can include: facts, reasons, examples, opinions, and details

How will you organize your evidence?In analysis, you present all sides of your argument and use an organizational

pattern to present info.

Take Control of the Writing Process

• Readiness stage• Use prewriting strategies

Prewriting

Find Your Voice

Be a critical thinker!• Critical thinking is unhurried,

deep thinking.• Critical thinking is logical,

analytical, purposeful, active, and self-reflective thinking.

Be a creative thinker!• Creative thinking is

nonlinear and inventive.• “Think outside the box.”

Find Your Voice

Be a critical thinker!• Find a purpose for writing.• Define your audience.• Write an outline.• Choose an organizational

pattern.• Analyze your topic.

Be a creative thinker!• Choose a topic that challenges you.• Question your assumptions.• Write an engaging intro.• Imagine yourself as part of the

audience.• Select words to create vivid images.• Take intellectual risks.