Exploring the Writing Process
UF Writing Program
Dr. Serafin Roldan
Why follow the Process?
• Using the process helps you clarify your topic
and ideas
• Using the process organizes your research
• Using the process helps eliminate plagiarism
• Using the process helps you finish your paper
FASTER and BETTER
What is the Writing Process?
Select
Your
Topic
Publish
Brainstorm
Research
Revise
Organize/
Outline
Edit/Proofread
Thesis/
DRAFT
Select Your Topic
• Did your instructor provide a list of required topics,
subjects, or suggestions?
• Make a list of ideas and choose three that interest you.
Why are they interesting? Are they interesting to other
people?
• Is factual information available about your topic?
• Is your topic focused?
• Can you argue an opinion about your topic?
Selecting your topic (continued)
Bad Topic: Religion
Narrow Your Focus!
Christianity
Narrow Your Focus!
Prophecy
Narrow Even More!
Armageddon
Brainstorm
• Jot notes about your topic. Ask questions like
Who? What? When? Where? How? And Why?
To generate ideas.
• Draw circles and lines to connect your ideas.
Use other markers to emphasize points that are
important.
• No idea is stupid, or wrong.
Brainstorm (continued)
Where is Hanukah
celebrated?
What is
Hanukah?
When did Hanukah
start?
History of
Hanukah
How does Hanukah
relate to other
celebrations?
Why is Hanukah
important?
Who is important in
the Hanukah story?
Research
• Research is how you gain facts about your topic.
• Select your resources carefully. Good resources
include books, journals, some magazines,
newspapers, interviews, etc.
• Always DOCUMENT your resources. This will
help you avoid plagiarism.
Research (continued)
“Twenty-fifth month of Kislev”
Not associated with Exodus
Judas Maccabaeus- took back temple from Syrian
Greeks
Used oil to light temple- should have lasted one day;
lasted eight.
“Thus a festival of lights as well as a festival of
dedication”
Hopfe, L.M. and Woodward, M.R. (2001). Religions of
the World (8th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Pg. 269
Organize/Outline
• Put your notes in an order that is logical for your
paper. (This is why using index cards is helpful).
• Begin forming the structure of your paper using
an outline structure.
• Keep your references nearby on a separate page
in case you need to do more research.
Outline (continued)
Armageddon as Prophecy
I.
What is Christian prophecy?
A. Book of Daniel
B. Book of Apocalypse (Revelations)
II.
Relationship to World Events
Thesis and Draft
• Write a clear thesis statement. Your thesis
should tell the reader what your paper is about.
• Your first draft should be written in paragraph
format and follow your outline.
• Don’t worry too much about errors in your first
draft.
Thesis (continued)
Thesis statement:
Hanukah is important to the Jewish people
because it celebrates both a historical event and
miracle in Judaic tradition.
[This is a sample of a terrible TS]
Draft: Writing Paragraphs
The first sentence is your topic
sentence. This gives information about
your topic for this paragraph. Following
sentences should back up your topic with
information (facts, figures, opinion.) Your
last sentence should lead into your next
paragraph.
Edit/Proofread
• After you write your first draft, check your paper
for spelling and grammatical errors.
• Most word processor programs have a spelling
and grammar check (in Microsoft Word, hit F7).
• Read your paper aloud to make sure it makes
sense, and it has rhythm.
Repeat the Process!
• Do you need to do more research?
• Did you double space your paper?
• Did you cite ALL of your sources?
• Do peer review. First drafts. Second drafts.
• Does your research match your thesis?
FINAL PAPER
• Double check for errors – make sure you
number your pages and include a subtitle in the
top-right corner of each page.
• Be proud of your accomplishment! Writing a
paper is hard work, and if you followed this
process you probably did a pretty good job!
For More Information
• E-mail your Professor at sroldan@ufl.edu
• Ask your professor for help!
• Check your MLA handouts for additional
information on the writing process.