The Writing Process

The Writing ProcessEssays don’t just happen. We write in a

series of logical steps:

1. Generate ideas2. Plan3. Organize4. Draft5. Revise

Step 1: Generate Ideas

How do you come up with a topic?

Sound clip

The next slides demonstrate a few brainstorming strategies . . .

Brainstorm Journal Activity

Journal activity: In your journal, I’d like you to quickly write down everything that comes to mind when you hear a phrase that I’ll provide.

Click to hear the phrase:

What did you think of? Could that idea turn into an essay? You can try the brainstorming technique with ideas of your own.

Brainstorming Methods: Ideas to Try

InterviewTalking to others often brings to mind ideas

that might not have surfaced without that conversation.

Let others help you!

ObserveWhat do you have planned today?Could one of your activities lead to atopic? Will you:

Read a magazine? A web site? A book? Turn on the TV? See a program? Watch the

weather? Drive somewhere? The grocery store? A

gas station? The bank?

SurfSurfing the internet can be a great way to

arrive at potential essay topics. As you browse, keep thinking: could I turn this topic into an essay?

Need More Techniques?

Copy the URL below and paste it into your browser.

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/brainstorming.html

Now Back to the 5 Steps in the Writing Process . . .

Step 2: PlanIn this stage of the writing process, you

may only have a vague idea of what you want to discuss.

Narrow your topic (decide on a thesis)Decide what points you’ll cover

Step 3: OrganizeThis is the stage where you order your

ideas. The key to successful planning and organization is an OUTLINE.

Why bother with an outline?

What if I like to think as I write?

What if my thinking style is creative (not sequential)?

Outline ExamplesThis is an outline:

Labs make good petsObedient Even temperedGood with childrenEasy to train

And this is an outline:

Labs make good petsI. ObedientII. Even temperedIII. Good with

childrenIV. Easy to train

Outline ExamplesThis is an outline:

Good with Children Easy to

train

Labs make good pets

Obedient Even tempered

Outline ExamplesThis is an outline:

Easy to train

INTROTHESIS:

Labs make good pets

Obedient

Easily trained

CONCLUSION

Step 4: DraftWhat do you do when you write? A few student

responses:“I write a sentence and then sometimes I have trouble moving on--I

want that sentence to be perfect. I get frustrated when the ideas stop flowing so I take a lot of breaks.” – Emma

“I never worry about specific sentences until I’m done with the paper. I listen to music or TV and just write everything that comes to mind.” – Jake

“I write a little bit when I get time. I don’t like to write on the computer until I have everything down on paper first.” - Irene

“I tend to ramble and sometimes my ideas are really random. I get lost in my thoughts sometimes.” – Tara

“I have to write my entire paper at once or I forget everything I was going to say. When I’m done, I get away from it for a few days before I look at the essay again.” - Criselda

Step 4: Draft

There is NO right way to draft a paper. In fact, you don’t even have to write your

paper in order if you don’t want. If you have trouble getting started, begin writing your first example and leave your introduction until later.

Step 5: ReviseDon’t worry about finding mistakes when

you’re writing your essay. When you’re done, try the following techniques:

1. Let your paper rest. A few days if you have time At least overnight if you procrastinate!

Step 5: Revise2. Find a set of fresh eyes. Have a friend or family member read it!Send it to your instructor Meet with a tutor

3. Read the paper backwards.Can find typos easierCan see missing punctuation easier

Step 5: Revise

4. Read for different issuesFor organizationFor clarityFor focusFor grammar/mechanicsEtc.

In ConclusionTrying to think of a topic AND

organize ideas AND write the essay the day before a deadline is overwhelming—a writer who takes time for each stage in the writing process is morelikely to have successfulresults.

Recognizing that writing is a process helps writers think about an essay in manageable chunks.