Prewriting
Prewriting is thinking!
• Why do we pre-write?
– Prevent writer’s block
– Builds confidence
– Sparks creativity
– Tells you when to quit
– Open your mind
Prewriting Methods #1 of 3
—Brainstorming
Listing
—Example: Obstacles to your education
Time, money, friends,
energy, ,teacher, parents,
tuition, classes
—Freewriting
Non-stop writing on a
topic or a focused free
writing on assigned
subjects
—Invisible Writing On computer with
monitor off
PREWRITING METHODS #2 OF 3
Clustering
– Circled word associations
$$$
3-Bedroom
Ocean
View
Vacation
Goals
Job
House
Marriage
2 Kids
PREWRITING METHODS #3 OF 3
• Narrowing your Topic
– Topic/subtopic [stress as topic]
world stress
work stress
school stress
stress relief
ways to reduce stress !
• Outlining
–
VERY IMPORTANT!!!
[usually last step in pre-writing]
OUTLINE - #1 of 4
• Thesis: Cuyamaca is an excellent choice for
students.
• Topic Sentence #1
– First of all, students save a lot of money
• Main Point #1 Tuition
• Main Point #2 Parking
• Main Point #3 Books
OUTLINE - #2 of 4
• Topic Sentence #2
– Not only do students save money at
Cuyamaca, they also save time.
• Main Point #1
• Main Point #2
• Main Point #3
Close to home
Classes blocked together
On-line classes
OUTLINE - #3 of 4
• Topic Sentence #3
– Students also benefit from the close relations
they have with Cuyamaca teachers.
• Main Point #1
• Main Point #2
• Main Point #3
Small class size
Office hours
Voice mail and e-mail
Outline #4 of 4
• Conclusion
– Restate thesis in different words.
“Students get a great learning experience at
Cuyamaca College.”