WRITING

Writing process Writing Styles Referencing

WRITING SKILLS

SAV 2008

The Writing ProcessThe Writing ProcessThe writing process consists of 4 steps:The writing process consists of 4 steps:

Step 1: Prewriting Step 1: Prewriting Step 2: Writing Step 2: Writing Step 3: Editing/Revising Step 3: Editing/Revising Step 4: Publishing Step 4: Publishing

Step 1:PrewritingStep 1:Prewriting

Many people use the prewriting stage to Many people use the prewriting stage to brainstorm brainstorm as many ideas as possible that as many ideas as possible that fits their assignment before they begin to fits their assignment before they begin to narrow their topic. narrow their topic.

Step 2: Writing Step 2: Writing

Now that you have brainstormed different Now that you have brainstormed different ideas related to your writing and have ideas related to your writing and have formulated a thesis or topic statement, you formulated a thesis or topic statement, you should begin writing a draft of your essayshould begin writing a draft of your essay

Step 3: Editing and RevisingStep 3: Editing and Revising Content Content - how logical and well supported your - how logical and well supported your

ideas are. ideas are. Organization-Organization- the method used to present your the method used to present your

ideas to your audience. ideas to your audience. PunctuationPunctuation - your use of periods, commas, semi- - your use of periods, commas, semi-

colons, etc. Not using correct punctuation can lead colons, etc. Not using correct punctuation can lead to run-ons and fragments making your essay to run-ons and fragments making your essay difficult to read and understand. difficult to read and understand.

GrammarGrammar - your use of sentence structure, - your use of sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, etc. Check Writer's, INC. subject-verb agreement, etc. Check Writer's, INC. pages 518 - 531 for help. pages 518 - 531 for help.

SpellingSpelling - SPELL CHECK - SPELL CHECK

Step 4: PublishingStep 4: Publishing

Publishing is what makes all your hard Publishing is what makes all your hard work in the previous 3 steps worth it! It is work in the previous 3 steps worth it! It is sharing your writing with an audience. sharing your writing with an audience.

Writer Tom Liner states, "You learn ways Writer Tom Liner states, "You learn ways to improve your writing by seeing its effect to improve your writing by seeing its effect on others." on others."

ReferencesReferences

MLA Research Paper DocumentationMLA Research Paper Documentation Why do you need to cite sources?Why do you need to cite sources?

Most of what you write will be summaries Most of what you write will be summaries and paraphrases of what someone else has and paraphrases of what someone else has already said or written about. Not to give already said or written about. Not to give credit to the original source of your ideas credit to the original source of your ideas would be considered would be considered PLAGIARISMPLAGIARISM. . Plagiarism is considered an academic crime Plagiarism is considered an academic crime and at most schools results in failure or and at most schools results in failure or expulsion.expulsion.

TYPES OF WRITINGTYPES OF WRITING

Types of Writing:Types of Writing:

CCause/effect essayause/effect essay

CComparisionomparision/contrast essay/contrast essay

DDefinition essayefinition essay

DeDescription essayscription essay

NNarration essayarration essay

Persuasive essay Persuasive essay

Process analysis essay Process analysis essay

Traits of Effective Writing:Traits of Effective Writing:

Although the type of writing you will be doing is Although the type of writing you will be doing is important, the following are certain traits that important, the following are certain traits that ALL good writing follow:ALL good writing follow:

Stimulating Ideas Stimulating Ideas Logical Organization Logical Organization Engaging Voice Engaging Voice Original Word Choice Original Word Choice Effective Sentence Style Effective Sentence Style Correct, Accurate Copy Correct, Accurate Copy

Good Cause/Effect:Good Cause/Effect:

Clearly distinguishes between a cause and Clearly distinguishes between a cause and an effect. an effect.

Establishes a clear thesis statement. Establishes a clear thesis statement. Presents information in an effective order. Presents information in an effective order.

Good Comparison/Contrast:Good Comparison/Contrast:

Uses subjects that have enough in common to be Uses subjects that have enough in common to be compared and or contrasted compared and or contrasted

Serves a purpose-either to help readers make a Serves a purpose-either to help readers make a decision or understand the subjects being decision or understand the subjects being compared and/or contrasted compared and/or contrasted

Presents several important, parallel points of Presents several important, parallel points of comparison/contrast comparison/contrast

Arranges points in a logical organization Arranges points in a logical organization

Definition EssayDefinition Essay

Good DefinitionGood Definition:: Tells readers what term or concept is being Tells readers what term or concept is being

defined defined Presents a clear and precise basic definition Presents a clear and precise basic definition Uses examples to show what the writer Uses examples to show what the writer

means means Uses words and examples that readers will Uses words and examples that readers will

understand understand

Good Description:Good Description:

Creates a main impression-an overall effect, Creates a main impression-an overall effect, feeling, or image -about the topic feeling, or image -about the topic

Uses concrete, specific details to support the Uses concrete, specific details to support the main impression main impression

Uses details that appeal to the five senses: Uses details that appeal to the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch

Good NarrationGood Narration

Includes specific details to make the Includes specific details to make the incident come alive for your reader incident come alive for your reader

Focuses on re-creating an incident that Focuses on re-creating an incident that happened to you over a short period of time happened to you over a short period of time (usually an emotional experience) (usually an emotional experience)

Conveys a particular mood (feeling) - do Conveys a particular mood (feeling) - do you want to surprise your readers, make you want to surprise your readers, make them laugh, have them share in your sorrow them laugh, have them share in your sorrow or fear? or fear?

Good Persuasion:Good Persuasion:

Takes a strong and definite position on an Takes a strong and definite position on an issue or advises a particular action. issue or advises a particular action.

Gives logical reasons and supporting Gives logical reasons and supporting evidence to defend the position or evidence to defend the position or recommend action. recommend action.

Considers opposing views. Considers opposing views. Has enthusiasm and energy from start to Has enthusiasm and energy from start to

finish. finish.

Good Process Analysis:Good Process Analysis:

Either helps readers perform the steps themselves Either helps readers perform the steps themselves or helps them understand how something works or helps them understand how something works

Presents the essential steps in a process Presents the essential steps in a process Explains steps in detail Explains steps in detail Presents steps in logical order (usually time order Presents steps in logical order (usually time order

- chronological) - chronological) Adapted from http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/writingresource/mla.htmlAdapted from http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/writingresource/mla.html