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The Writing Process
Standard and Learning Target
W.5: Strengthen writing, planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, addressing a specific purpose and audience.
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I can become a better writer by using the writing process.
1. Prewriting: Choosing a topic and gathering details
a. Search for a meaningful writing idea—one that truly interests you and meets the requirements of the
assignment.
b. Use a selecting strategy (listing, webbing, clustering, free writing, outlining, and so on) to identify possible
topics.
c. Learn as much as you can about your topic.
d. Decide on an interesting or important part of the topic—your focus—to develop. Express your focus in a
sentence to help map out your writing.
e. Think about an overall plan or design for organizing your writing. This plan can be anything from a brief list to a
detailed outline.
2. Rough Draft: Connecting your ideas
a. Write the first draft while your prewriting is still fresh in your mind.
b. Set the right tone by giving your opening paragraph special attention.
c. Refer to your plan for the main part of your writing but be flexible. A more interesting route may unfold as you
write.
d. Don’t worry about getting everything right at this point; just concentrate on developing your ideas.
* Outline for Rough Draft
o Introduction/Opening Paragraph: should help clarify your thinking about your topic and accomplish three
things:
 GAIN YOUR READER’S ATTENTION, - Attention Getter: Start your paper with a statement about your
story that catches the reader’s attention, for example: a relevant quotation, question, fact, or definition.
SEE ATTACHED ATTENTION-GETTER TABLE FOR EXAMPLES
 INTRODUCE YOUR MAIN IDEAS and
 IDENTIFY YOUR THESIS - Thesis Statement: identifies the focus for your academic essays. It usually
highlights a special condition or feature of the topic, expresses a specific feeling, or takes a stand.
o
Body Paragraphs: should support your thesis. Make sure to use your pre-write (mind map, outline, list, cluster)
as a general guide for your writing. Each Body Paragraph needs to have a Topic Sentence.
o
Conclusion/Closing Paragraph: allows you to tie up your essay neatly. You can refer to your thesis, review your
main supporting points, answer any unresolved questions, or connect with the reader’s experience.
3. Revising: Improve your writing - adding information, deleting information, reordering material, reworking material,
transitions (use a different colored writing implement than you use for the editing/proofreading)
a. Review your rough draft, checking the ideas, organization, voice, word choice, and sentence fluency of your
writing.
b. Ask at least one classmate to react to your work.
c. Add, cut, reword, or rearrange ideas as necessary (You may have to change some parts several times before
they say what you want them to say.)
d. Carefully assess the effectiveness of your opening and closing paragraphs
e. Look for special opportunities to make your writing as meaningful and interesting as possible.
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4. Editing and Proofreading: Checking for accuracy (use a different colored writing implement than you use for the
revision)
a. Edit your revised writing for conventions.
b. Have a dictionary and thesaurus close at hand as you work.
c. Ask a reliable editor—a friend, a classmate, a parent, or a teacher—to check your writing for errors you may
have missed.
d. Proofread the final draft for errors before submitting it.
5. Publishing: Sharing your work
a. Share the finished product with your teacher, writing peers, friends, and family members.
b. Decide if you will include the writing in your portfolio.
c. Post your writing on your personal or class Web site or elsewhere online.
d. Consider submitting your work to a school, a local, or a national publication. Make sure to follow the
requirements for submitting manuscripts.
Parts of a paragraph
Paragraphs begin with a topic sentence, identifying the topic of the writing. The sentences in the body of the paragraph
support or explain the topic, while the closing sentence brings the paragraph to a logical stopping point.
 The Topic Sentence tells your readers what your paragraph is about.
 The Body is the main part of the paragraph. This is where you place all the information readers need, to
understand the topic. The sentences in the body should contain details that clearly support the topic sentence.
Arrange these details in the best possible order.
 The Closing (clincher) sentence comes after all the details have been included in the body of the paragraph. This
sentence may (1) remind readers of the topic, (2) summarize the paragraph, or (3) link the paragraph to the next
one.
Six Traits
The six traits listed below identify the main features found in effective essays, stories, and articles. If you write with
these traits in mind, you will most likely be pleased with the results.
 IDEAS: Effective writing presents interesting and vital information about a specific topic. It has a clear purpose
or focus, or as writer Donald Murray states, “It has a controlling vision, which orders what is being said.” The
ideas are thoroughly elaborated and analyzed and hold the reader’s attention from start to finish.
 ORGANIZATION: In terms of basic structure, good writing has a clearly developed beginning, middle, and
ending. Within the text, transitions are used to show relationships between ideas. The overall arrangement of
ideas unifies the writing and makes the writer’s purpose clear.
 VOICE: In the best writing, you can hear the writer’s voice – her or his special way of expressing ideas and
emotions. Voice gives writing personality: it shows that the writer sincerely cares about her or his topic and
audience.
 WORD CHOICE: In good writing, the nouns and verbs are specific. The modifiers are colorful (and used
somewhat sparingly). The overall level of language helps to communicate the message and set an appropriate
tone. In short, all the right words are in all the right places.
 SENTENCE FLUENCY: Effective writing flows from sentence to sentence. But it isn’t, by any means, predictable.
Sentences vary in length, and they don’t all begin in the same way. Sentence fluency gives rhythm to writing,
which makes the writing enjoyable to read.
 CONVENTIONS: Good writing follows the accepted standards of punctuation, mechanics, usage, and spelling. It
is edited with care to ensure that the work is accurate and easy to follow.
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Types of Details
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There are many types of details you can include in paragraphs (and longer forms of writing)
o Facts: are details that can be proven. Facts remain constant, regardless of the type of paragraph you write.
o Statistics: present significant numerical information about a chose topic.
o Examples: are individual samples that illustrate a main point.
o Anecdotes: are brief stories or “slices of life” that helps you make your point. They can illustrate a point
more personally than a matter-of-fact listing of details.
o Quotations: are words from another person that you repeat exactly in your writing. Quotations can provide
powerful supporting evidence.
Arranging your Details
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Chronological order (time) is effective for sharing personal narratives, summarizing steps, and explaining events
in the order in which they occurred
Order of location (spatial) is useful for many types of descriptions. Details can be described from left to right,
from right to left, from top to bottom, from edge to center, and so on.
Illustration (deductive) is a method of arrangement in which you first state a general idea (thesis statement) and
follow with specific reasons, examples, and facts.
Climax (inductive) is a method of arrangement in which you present specific details followed by a general
statement or conclusion.
Compare-contrast is a method of arrangement in which you show how one topic is different from and similar to
another topic.
Cause-effect is a type of arrangement that helps you make connections between a result and the events that
came before it. Usually, you begin with the cause of something, and then you discuss a number of specific
effects.
Problem-solution is a type of arrangement in which you state a problem and explore possible solutions.
Classification is a type of arrangement that can be used to explain a term or a concept (a machine, a theory, a
game, and so on). Begin by placing the topic in the appropriate class, and then provide details that show how
your subject is different from and similar to others in the same class.
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Sense Words
Sense words are words that relate to one or more of the five senses: hearing, touching, tasting, smelling, and seeing.
Many of them can be adjectives, but they can act as verbs, adverbs, and other parts of speech, depending on how they
are used in a sentence
Words are the tools of a writer. The more words he or she is able to command, the better the writing can be. Some of
the most important tools for the writer are sense words that help to focus images and actions. For example, the
following description of a lake shore is from a book by Marilynne Robinson titled Housekeeping. Notice how the writer
uses a combination of sound, touch, smell and sight words to help the reader imagine the scene.
“Some of these stones were mossy and vegetable green, and some were as white as bits of tooth, and some of them
were hazel, and some of them looked like rock candy. Farther up the beach were tufts of grasses from the year before
and leafless vines, and sodden leaves and broken ferns, and the black, dull, musky, dormant woods. The lake was full of
quiet waves, and smelled cold, and smelled of fish.”
Sound words: Sound words appeal mainly to the sense of hearing. Notice that many of the sound words in the
following list are verb forms that end in ‘ing’. In such a form, words usually function as adjectives, adverbs, or parts of
verbs.
banging
burping
clapping
crashing
fizzing
grunting
jingling
muttering
popping
ringing
screeching
squawking
tearing
warbling
whooping
barking
buzzing
clicking
croaking
gagging
gurgling
laughing
noisy
quacking
ripping
singing
snapping
tinkling
wheezing
bawling
chattering
clinking
crunching
gasping
hissing
moaning
peeping
quiet
rumbling
slamming
snarling
thudding
whimpering
belching
chiming
cooing
crying
giggling
honking
mooing
piercing
rapping
rustling
shouting
snoring
thumping
whining
blaring
chirping
coughing
dripping
grating
hushing
mumbling
pining
rasping
scratching
silent
stuttering
ticking
whispering
booming
clanging
crackling
exploding
growling
jangling
murmuring
plopping
rattling
screaming
splashing
tapping
twittering
whizzing
Taste and Smell Words: are words relating to taste and smell. Often, they can apply to both senses. For this reason,
they are combined here.
acid
bitter
crusty
fresh
lemony
moldy
piney
raw
sharp
sugary
vile
acidic
bland
doughy
fruity
medicinal
musky
plastic
rich
sour
sweaty
vinegary
acrid
burnt
earthy
gamey
mellow
musty
pungent
rotten
spicy
sweet
alkaline
buttery
fishy
garlicky
mildewed
oily
putrid
rubbery
spoiled
tangy
aromatic
cold
floury
hearty
minty
perfumed
rancid
salty
stagnant
tasteless
biting
crisp
flowery
hot
moist
pickled
rank
scented
stale
tough
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Touch Words: suggest the sense of touch or texture.
abrasive
burning
crisp
dry
freezing
greasy
hot
leathery
mushy
pointed
sandy
sharp
smooth
spiky
stifled
tepid
waxy
biting
busy
cushioned
dusty
furry
gritty
humid
light
numbing
prickly
scalding
silky
smothering
splintered
stinging
thick
wet
boiling
clammy
damp
feathery
fuzzy
gushy
icy
lukewarm
oily
pulpy
scorching
slick
soapy
spongy
stony
tickling
wiry
bubbly
coarse
downy
fine
glassy
hairy
keen
matted
piercing
rocky
scratchy
slimy
soft
steamy
stubby
touch
woolly
bulky
cool
drenched
fluffy
gluey
hard
knobbed
metallic
plastic
rough
scummy
slippery
sopping
steely
tangled
velvety
bumpy
cottony
dripping
foamy
grainy
heavy
lacy
moist
pocked
rubbery
shaggy
sloppy
soupy
sticky
tender
warm
attractive
bulky
cluttered
dim
dusty
fluffy
fuzzy
graceful
hideous
lacy
long
muddy
oily
pulpy
scummy
silky
sparkling
steamy
thick
ugly
wrinkled
beautiful
bumpy
coarse
dotted
elegant
flushed
gigantic
greasy
huge
large
lopsided
muscular
pale
rocky
shaggy
slick
spiky
stubbly
thin
wavy
woolly
boiling
burning
colorless
downy
feathery
foamy
glassy
hairy
immense
lean
lovely
mushy
pocked
rough
sharp
slimy
splintered
stunning
tidy
waxy
bright
bushy
curved
drenched
fiery
foggy
glimmering
handsome
jutting
leathery
matted
narrow
pointed
round
shimmering
small
spongy
swollen
translucent
wet
Sight Words: relate mainly to seeing.
angular
brilliant
clean
dark
dripping
fine
fragile
gorgeous
hard
keen
light
messy
neat
powered
ruffled
shiny
smooth
spotted
tall
transparent
wide
ashen
bubbling
clear
dazzling
dull
flat
furry
grainy
hazy
knobbed
lit
metallic
nondescript
prickly
sandy
short
sooty
square
tangled
twinkling
wiry
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Descriptive Adjectives
adventurous
apprehensive
bold
compliant
conventional
demanding
doubting
fearless
gifted
humorous
impulsive
intense
matter-of-fact
moralistic
outspoken
permissive
presumptuous
relaxed
rugged
self-oriented
skeptical
subordinate
thrifty
affluent
argumentative
carefree
compromising
cultured
dependent
dynamic
fluent
guarded
hurried
incisive
judicious
mellow
musical
outstanding
pessimistic
prominent
religious
scholarly
self-sacrificing
sophisticated
subtle
tough
aggressive
artistic
cautious
conforming
cynical
different
emotional
forceful
happy-go-lucky
idealistic
individualistic
lighthearted
methodical
opinionated
overcritical
philosophical
prosperous
reserved
scrappy
self-satisfied
stern
suggestible
unassuming
altruistic
athletic
changeable
constrained
defensive
discerning
exceptional
forward
hardheaded
immaculate
influential
limited
meticulous
opportunistic
overeager
polished
provocative
restless
secretive
self-sufficient
stimulating
suspicious
unbiased
anxious
blunt
clever
contemplative
defiant
distinguished
excitable
funny
harmless
impatient
inoffensive
lucky
mild
ordinary
painstaking
possessive
prudent
reverent
self-conscious
shrewd
stubborn
talkative
unprejudiced
apologetic
boisterous
complacent
contented
deliberate
domineering
extravagant
fussy
humble
imperfect
intellectual
masterful
modest
orthodox
perfectionist
preoccupied
reactionary
righteous
self-educated
shy
studious
tenderhearted
Transitions
Illustration
Contrast
Addition
Time
Space
Concession
Similarity Of
Comparison
Emphasis
Details
Examples
Consequence Or
Result
Summary
Suggestion
Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.
On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one
hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true.
And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, then, too, also, both-and, another, equally important,
first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise,
similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus,
therefore, otherwise.
After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely,
usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning,
day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to,
subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.
At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under, around,
above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front
of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight,
out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background.
Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite
of, of course.
Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to.
Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also,
furthermore, in addition.
Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.
For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular.
So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so,
because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then.
Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly.
For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore.
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EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATTENTION-GETTERS
Method
Anecdote
Student example
It is 2:00 a.m. and in the silence of the night
a thick, slick bodied snake slithers through
the bush with three sharp horns on its
snout: this is the rhinoceros viper.
Interesting Fact
Smoking in teens may be slowly declining,
but the use of tobacco is higher than ever.
Interesting
Observation
According to most high school students,
Japan is full of video games, ninjas, and
short people. Yet a trip there might tweak
their thinking a bit.
Startling
Statement
Imagine you work up one day and, BAM,
your home was being destroyed. Okay, so
the chances of that actually happening to
you aren’t very high, but to the fish in
Canyon Lake, that possibility might become
reality.
“I stayed. I even went back after he beat
me which was wrong.” That’s what 22
year-old Rihanna told ABC news in an
interview after her boyfriend, Chris Brown,
beat her.
Quotation
Professional Example
SEATED IN SILENCE ATOP A BROKEN COLUMN,
halfway up the stone cathedral called Devils Tower,
my feet dangling over 400 feet of air, I’m entranced.
Two tiny white-throated swifts are chasing each
other, deftly cutting left and right, up and down,
along the vertical walls of rock. Their agility is
astonishing. They buttonhook and corkscrew, wheel
and reel in the sky.
Harry Potter has added to his billions with a
whopping $24 million domestic haul from midnight
screen of his latest adventure.
In the world of action sports, the big 3-0 usually spells
the twilight of an athlete’s career. After years of
bone-shattering falls, tweaked muscles, and torn
ligaments, it’s hard to keep up with the fearless
teenagers and 20-year olds. But don’t tell that to JJ
Thomas, a pro snowboarder from Golden. After an
illustrious decade-long career –which included a
bronze medal at the 2002 Olympics—he’ll turn 30 in
April and is still competing with the kids.
If you’d visited Franklin Park Zoo late last December,
you might have been privy to a rare sight: two gorillas
in the act of baby making.
“Marriage is a wonderful institution.” Groucho Marx
once observed, “but who wants to live in an
institution?” Well, for the past few centuries, most
people seem to.