Writing Process
Madeleine L’Engle
Inspiration usually comes during work,
rather than before it
Writing Process
Maya Angelou
When I start a project, the first thing I do is
write down, in longhand, everything I know
about the subject, every thought I’ve ever
had on it. This may be twelve or fourteen
pages.
Writing Process
Maya Angelou cont’d
Then I read it through, for quite a few days
. . . then I try to find out what are the
salient points that I must make. And then
it begins to take shape.
Writing Process
Generating Ideas
Writing is not something you do after
thinking, but in order to help you think.
Writing is recursive - plan, revise plan,
draft, revise draft, write, revise, write,
revise
Writing Process
Pre-Writing Techniques
 List/Brainstorm
 Research
 Ask Questions
 Freewrite
 Cluster Maps
 Discussion
Writing Process
Outline
Thesis statement:
I. Main Point One
i. Supporting detail
a. evidence, examples, opinions
b. evidence, examples, opinions
ii. Supporting detail
a. evidence, examples, opinions
II. Main Point Two
i. Supporting detail
a. evidence, examples, opinions
b. evidence, examples, opinions
ii. Supporting detail
III. Main Point Three
i. Supporting detail
ii. Supporting detail
Writing an Introduction
Basics
It should catch readers’ attention
It should present the essay’s thesis
statement
It should give readers an idea of what the
essay will cover

Writing an Introduction
Basics
Hook
Background Info (Introduce your reader to
the world of _____)
Thesis Statement
Mapping Sentence (3 main points)

Writing an Introduction
Techniques
Start with a surprising fact or idea
Open with a quotation
Give an example or tell a story
Offer a strong opinion
Ask a question

Writing a Conclusion
Basics
It should restate your thesis
It should briefly summarize the main points
It should make a final observation
It should NOT introduce new information

Writing a Conclusion
Techniques
Foresee the future by utilizing the
information
Give the reader something to think about
Refer back to Intro techniques
