The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

Step 1: InventionStep 1: Invention

InventionInvention

Also known as prewriting.Also known as prewriting. During invention, you decide what to write During invention, you decide what to write

about and gather information to support or about and gather information to support or explain what you want to say.explain what you want to say.

InventionInvention

Step 1: Understanding your AssignmentStep 1: Understanding your Assignment– Before beginning to write, you need to Before beginning to write, you need to

understand what your assignment is asking you understand what your assignment is asking you to do. If the assignment is written as a question, to do. If the assignment is written as a question, read it and answer the question. If you are to read it and answer the question. If you are to make an argument, make an argument.make an argument, make an argument.

– Ask for clarification if you do not understand Ask for clarification if you do not understand what you are writing.what you are writing.

Step 2 of Invention: Setting LimitsStep 2 of Invention: Setting Limits

Length – often, your instructor will specify a Length – often, your instructor will specify a length. length.

Purpose – limits what you say and how you Purpose – limits what you say and how you say it.say it.Examples: Expressive – convey personal feelingsExamples: Expressive – convey personal feelings

Informative – inform readersInformative – inform readers

Persuasive – convince readers to Persuasive – convince readers to act act or think in a certain manner. or think in a certain manner.

Step 2 of Invention: Setting LimitsStep 2 of Invention: Setting Limits

Audience – individual or group to whom you Audience – individual or group to whom you are writing.are writing.

Occasion – situation that leads someone to Occasion – situation that leads someone to write about a topic.write about a topic.

Knowledge – what you know (or do not Knowledge – what you know (or do not know) about a subject.know) about a subject.

TIME OUT ExerciseTIME OUT Exercise

1. A 2-3 page paper on a history of animal testing in 1. A 2-3 page paper on a history of animal testing in medical research labs.medical research labs.

2. A 1 hour final exam on the effectiveness of 2. A 1 hour final exam on the effectiveness of bilingual education programs.bilingual education programs.

3.A one-hour in-class essay on an interpretation of 3.A one-hour in-class essay on an interpretation of one of Andy Warhol’s paintings of Campbell’s one of Andy Warhol’s paintings of Campbell’s soup cans.soup cans.

4. An email to your college news paper discussing 4. An email to your college news paper discussing your school’s policy on plagiarism. your school’s policy on plagiarism.

Moving from Subject to TopicMoving from Subject to Topic

General topics always need to be narrowed General topics always need to be narrowed to specific topics that can be discussed to specific topics that can be discussed within the limits of the assignment.within the limits of the assignment.

Handout: Question checklist.Handout: Question checklist.

Grouping IdeasGrouping Ideas

Clustering – a way of visually arranging Clustering – a way of visually arranging ideas so that you can tell at a glance where ideas so that you can tell at a glance where ideas belong and whether or not you need ideas belong and whether or not you need more information.more information.

Informal Outline – rough outline of the main Informal Outline – rough outline of the main ideas you would like to communicate ideas you would like to communicate through an essay. through an essay.

The ThesisThe Thesis

The main idea of your essay; the central The main idea of your essay; the central point.point.

Each part of the essay is built around the Each part of the essay is built around the thesis.thesis.– Introduction – presents the thesis.Introduction – presents the thesis.– Body – develops, supports, and/or proves the Body – develops, supports, and/or proves the

thesis.thesis.– Conclusion – reinforces the thesis and Conclusion – reinforces the thesis and

crystallizes the paper. crystallizes the paper.

Effective thesis statementsEffective thesis statements

An effective thesis statement clearly An effective thesis statement clearly expresses your essay’s main idea.expresses your essay’s main idea.

An effective thesis statement communicates An effective thesis statement communicates your essay’s purpose.your essay’s purpose.

An effective thesis statement is clearly An effective thesis statement is clearly worded.worded.

TIME OUT ExerciseTIME OUT Exercise

1.1. My instructor has an attendance policy.My instructor has an attendance policy.2.2. My instructor should change her attendance My instructor should change her attendance

policy because it is bad.policy because it is bad.3.3. My instructor should change her attendance My instructor should change her attendance

policy because it is unreasonable, inflexible, and policy because it is unreasonable, inflexible, and unfair.unfair.

4.4. For many people, a community college makes For many people, a community college makes more sense than a four-year college or more sense than a four-year college or university.university.

5.5. Some children show violent behavior.Some children show violent behavior.