Name:_____________________________________
Beach Park
Writing Process 3
Objective:
In this lesson, you will learn to use different prewriting strategies.
Freewriting
From this lesson forward, some lessons will begin with a focused journal topic. Many of these topics will require that you recall knowledge previously stored in your memory. Other topics will require guesses and creativity.
Freewriting is fast, fun, and "off the top of your head" writing that accomplishes two goals:
1. It helps students who suffer from writer's block to lose their fear of expressing themselves in writing
2. It creates material that can later be used as the basis of stories, articles, poems, essays, and reports.
Journal Assignment: (five minutes)
Topic: Actions speak louder than words
Think of examples to illustrate this well-known truth.
Remember, this is FREEwriting! Write each thought as it pops into your mind. Try not to get off the subject, but even if you do, continue to write until time is up. Do not be concerned with spelling and punctuation.
Begin writing here:

Name:_____________________________________
Beach Park
Writing Process 3
Prewriting Strategies
Prewriting strategies include thinking, discussing, reading, listening, observing, interviewing, taking notes, clustering, listing, making a scratch outline, and brainstorming. Writers who prewrite sufficiently find that the remainder of the writing process becomes an easier task.
Clustering
Clustering is a visual prewriting technique that stimulates creativity and helps organize your thoughts.
Suppose your assignment is to write a personal essay about three heroes you admire. How has knowing or reading about these men and women personally enriched your life?
Begin to cluster by placing the word inside a circle in the middle of the page. Then draw connecting lines to the names of several related words and circle each one. Around each circled word, writekey words to help describe the person's qualities and deeds that make him or her a hero. Draw lines to connect each key word to the other word and circle each key word. Then use your cluster as a scratch outline for drafting a personal essay.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a prewriting strategy that works best when a group of students work together and share their knowledge, but you can also do it by yourself.
Here is another brainstorming application. Write the assigned topic. Then brainstorm to create a list that consists of general information you and your classmates already know about the topic. For instance, brainstorm facts about your state. Look at the example on the next page.
Oklahoma
Located above Texas, shaped like a frying pan, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Red
River, Lake Texhoma, statehood 1907, Indian Territory, 5 Civilized Tribes, oil industry, cattle ranches,
OSU-OU rivals, Rogers/Hammerstein musical Oklahoma, Will Rogers, I-35 and I-40 split state into 4 sections, Arkansas River, climate changes fast (if you don't like the weather, wait a minute!), plains, mountains: Arbuckles-fossils, Kiamichis-scenic drive, Wichitas-Easter pageant, pine, oak, pecan, bois d'arc trees
Use the information you generated while brainstorming to create an outline. This will help you organize the information you want to present in a logical manner.
Example of a Scratch Outline for a Long Report
Topic: Oklahoma
Introduction: Indian Territory, statehood 1907
Body: 5 paragraphs
Geography: shape, rivers, mountains, lakes, climate
Education
Economy/Industries
Recreation
People
Conclusion: Oklahoma, OK! (refer to state song)

Name:_____________________________________
Beach Park
Writing Process 3
Example of a Scratch Outline for a Short Report
Topic: Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma
Introduction: Contrast geological past to present.
Body: 2 paragraphs
Timeline of formation
Fossils
Conclusion: Predict future geological changes.
Now it's your turn. Which state will you choose to write about?
An Assignment for Your Student Writing Portfolio:
Apply the examples listed in this lesson to brainstorming ideas and knowledge of your own state or a state of your choice. In the space below, write the name of your state and brainstorm as many facts as you can.
Begin writing here:
Wrap Up
Prewriting is an important stage of the writing process for several reasons. You not only determine the audience and focus of your work during this step, but you also have the opportunity to generate many ideas to use in your writing. Take time to write your thoughts and ideas as you begin an assignment. It will prove to be a valuable investment and will help make your work more enjoyable for you and your reader.