English 100: The Writing Process

The Writing Process

English 100-Grammar & Composition Dr. Henderson

01

Prewriting-Think & Decide

• Make sure you understand your assignment.
• Decide on a topic to write about.
• Consider who will read your work.
• Brainstorm ideas about the subject and how those ideas can be organized.
• Make an outline.

Anything you do before you write a draft of your document includes thinking, narrowing your topic, taking notes, talking to others, brainstorming, outlining, planning, and gathering information. When you prewrite, you should always consider audience and purpose. In fact, you should consider audience and purpose throughout your writing.

02

Drafting

Drafting is about putting your ideas into sentences, paragraphs, and essays. At this point you should concentrate on explaining, supporting your ideas fully, and connecting your ideas. Do not focus on grammar, spelling, or word choice. Just get it down on paper.

03

Revising

At this stage, you are modifying your writing for . . .

• Unity-staying on topic, making sure all sentences relate to the topic sentence for paragraphs and the thesis statement for essays
• Adequate support-having enough supporting ideas and details
• Coherence-having good flow through proper order and transition words
• Style-having sentence variety for effect, conciseness without clichés, wordiness, and redundancy, using exact language and college-level vocabulary

*Think of your audience and adjust your tone and vocabulary accordingly.

04

Editing & Publishing

Publishing

Editing

Good writers share their information. While a piece of writing is never finished, that does not mean it should not be shared. In fact, it should always be shared with someone.

Checking your paper for formatting, spelling, grammar, and mechanics. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html

1. Break the assignment down by narrowing your topic. 2. Make sure you understand the purpose (reason) for writing. Always make sure you are writing what the instructor wants you to write. 3. Also, think about your audience. 4. Brainstorm. 5. Make a plan by writing your thesis statement, three basic supporting ideas, and three to four details to back up each supporting idea. 6. Begin drafting. *Remember just get your ideas down; then, go back and revise. 7. After you finish drafting, walk away from your paper for a few hours. 8. Revise for unity, adequate support, coherence, and style. 9. Edit for MLA formatting, spelling, grammar, and mechanics. 10. Go see or email your instructor or the writing tutor. 11. Make his or her changes and put your final draft in the drop box.

11 Steps to a Strong Paper

05

*Make sure you allow yourself time to put each of the steps into place.