Writing Process
• Brainstorm / Pre-write thoughts
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Zero Draft
Rough Draft
Revise / Edit
Peer Review & Adult Audit
Final Draft
Brainstorm / Pre-write
• Organize Ideas: If there is a writing prompt
read it carefully. Decide who your audience is
and what format the writing is supposed to take
(persuasive, explanatory, descriptive, etc). Look
for what details you need to include in order to
support your opinions.
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Graphic – Spider web
Outline – Formal
Other Pre-writes
Brainstorms
Spider Web
Thesis
• A thesis is your main idea and the short
answer to your original research question.
• For example, if your research question is
What does a physician do and how can I become
one?
Then your thesis might be
Doctors need extensive education and
experience to work with a team in order to help
people take care of their bodies.
↑Make sure you write this example down!
Body Paragraph
– Topic Sentence – a one sentence statement at the
start of the paragraph that contains the main idea
of the paragraph as well as transitions from
previous paragraphs.
– Contextual Detail – Examples, Fact, Quotes,
Details, and Proof.
– Contextual Analysis – Analysis of the C.D. It is the
writer’s own ideas explaining how the CD supports
the paragraphs main idea.
Revise & Edit
• Revise – Ideas and content
– Reread and revise your writing for clear thoughts
– Reword any section that may be non-descriptive or
vague
– Check for transition between words
– Check for a variety of sentence styles
• Edit – Check conventions, MLA formatting
– Spelling, Grammar, punctuation, etc…
Final Draft and more…
• Final Draft
– Type your writing for evaluation
– Present to the class, another person
• Optional – (repeat steps 3, 4, 5 for major
projects)
• GRADING: 6 Traits – Check the rubrics
MLA
Persuasive
• 3. Your city council is considering a curfew that would make it illegal
for teenagers to be out on the streets after 10 p.m. on weekdays or
after midnight on weekends. What is your position on this issue?
Write an essay that would convince the city council to agree with
you. Be sure to support your position with detailed reasons.
• 4. (Athletics) A well-known football coach once said, "Winning isn't
everything, it's the only thing." Do you agree or disagree with this
statement? Write an essay in which you state your position and
support it with convincing reasons.
• 5. Your local school board is considering requiring students to take
part in community service programs in order to graduate. What is
your position concerning this issue? Write a letter to the members
of the school board stating your position and supporting it with
convincing reasons. Be sure to explain your reasons in detail.
Descriptive Essay
• 1. (Athletics) Think about your favorite sport, and then write an
essay describing that sport. Include sensory details so that a reader
can imagine what it is like to experience the sport, and make sure it
is clear from your description why this sportis your favorite.
• 2. Think of a time when you experienced a rainstorm. In a
composition, use sensory details to describe what the rainstorm
was like so that a classmate could clearly imagine the experience.
• 3. Most people have a place where they feel comfortable and
relaxed. Think of a place where you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Picture it in your mind. In a composition, describe this place for
your classmates so that they can imagine what it is like and how
you feel there.
Compare / Contrast
• (Math / Science) What are the differences
between [Concept 1] and [Concept 2]? What
are the similarities between them?
• The influence of music to the influence of
books.
• The influence of celebrities to the influence of
parents.
• Dodge Ram 1500 to a Ford F150.
Grading
• Focus on Topic, Content, Formatting.
• Spelling, Grammar, punctuation, etc… is for
English people.
– If it is horrendous, address it, but don’t focus on it.
• Make a Rubric or Change an existing rubric to
fit your needs.