The Bedford Reader
Writers need to accept that…
1. They may begin tentatively – often lacking confidence.
2. They will have to double back – rethink and re-plan.
3. Welcome change – endure frustration.
Writers need to be sure they follow a process…
1. Analyze the writing situation (the assignment)
2. Discover ideas – choose a initial direction
3. Draft an initial route – may be rough
4. Revise route if need be – may need to turn back
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This is where you first approach the subject of
your assignment.
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This book uses journal writing as an initial
stage of the writing process – then you as a
writer, using the journal experiences, draft
your own essay.
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Part of this analysis requires consideration of
the intended audience.
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This is when you critically
examine sources information
When writing for this book – you
will be reading, rereading, and
writing what you think about
issues and writers’ styles
You may even begin to draft at
this stage – and if the audience is
a “teacher with a sharp pencil” –
forget your audience for the time
being
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This is part of the discovery process
This is a way for you to record thoughts for
yourself – which is very important
In a journal – you only worry about your
thoughts because it is for you – there is no
audience to be concerned with
Journal writing can “limber up your writing
muscles”
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This is much like journaling –
however, this is used for
specific assignments
You write without stopping for
10-15 minutes
You don’t bog yourself down
with writing conventions
This is simply a method to get
in the mind set for a particular
topic – writers often “find
themselves” while embarking
in this process
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While exploring, try to pin down the thesis –
or the main idea of your assignment
Writers who do not keep this in mind typically
get lost – and their writing wanders
Page 37 offers examples of solid thesis
statements from essays offered in the text
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Give yourself plenty of time for this process –
you have to give your mind time to “soak it all
in”
Solitude is best
Don’t be afraid to “change gears”
Don’t allow for writers block – move on
Keep focused on the big picture – don’t sweat
the little stuff that can be fixed later
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This should be a two-step process:
 Revise for organization and purpose FIRST
 Then worry about surface issues like grammar and
word choice
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Purpose – will it be clear?
Thesis – easily discerned? Proved?
Unified – all goes back to thesis?
Coherent – parts relate to one another?
Details, examples, explanations?
Tone?
Did I use “methods of development?
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Do paragraph breaks help readers grasp
information?
Do transitions assist with making
connections?
Are sentences smooth – concise? Parallel?
Wording – clear and vivid?
Grammar – punctuation?
Spelling?
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Why collaborate with others – specifically my
classmates?
 Sparks ideas
 Increases awareness
 Increases self-confidence
An essay in progress…