Effective Writing

What does it look like?

By Dr. Bernice Parrott

There is no step-by-step instructional approach for

effective writing!

The Writing Process

Although we cannot provide step-by-step

directions that will always result in an effective piece of writing, we can provide some guidance in the general aspects of the process. Today we are going to work through the writing process. What are the steps of the Writing Process?

Word Splash

Tell me some words that you think of when you think of the writing process.

The Writing Process

1-5

Prewriting

Outlining a structure of ideas

Writing a rough draft

Revising

Editing

Prewriting

• Prewriting techniques used when initially deciding on a topic:– Using experience and observations– Reading– Freewriting– Asking questions

• A good topic not only covers what an assignment will be about but also fits the assignment’s purpose and its audience– Purpose: The reason(s) why a writer creates a

document– Audience: The individual(s) or group(s) whom the writer

intends to address

Choosing a Topic

• When selecting a topic, consider something that interests you or something based on your own life and personal experiences

• Different kinds of documents can help you choose a topic and also develop that topic

• After you choose a topic, critical reading is essential to the development of a topic

The following prewriting techniques can help narrow the focus of the topic:

– Brainstorming: A prewriting strategy similar to list making• Writers start with a general category and list

specific items that fall into the category

– Idea mapping: A prewriting strategy in which writers cluster ideas on paper using circles, lines, and arrows

– Searching the Internet• Writers use search engines not only to

understand more about the topic’s specific issues but also to get better acquainted with their audience

Idea Map

Other Ideas for Generating Ideas Choose from a list of pre-selected topics. Provide a list of story starters. Choose a photo or picture from a magazine to

stimulate writing. Let the students choose the surface on which they

wish to write. Research a topic and write a report or research

report on the topic. Note: Choice is important.

Planning

• Decide on one main point• State a thesis -- a sentence that presents

the controlling idea of an essay• Make sure each paragraph has a topic

sentence that relates to the thesis or main idea of the paper

Outlining

• When you write, you need to organize your ideas in an order that makes sense

• Order refers to your choice of what to present first, second, third, and so on in your writing– The order you pick closely relates to

your purpose for writing that particular assignment

Methods of Organizing

Chronologic

al Order

•A method of organization that arranges ideas according to time

Spatial

Order

•A method of organization that arranges ideas according to physical characteristics or appearance

Order of

Importanc

e

•A method of organization that arranges ideas according to their significance

Order versus Purpose

Chronological Order• To explain the history of an event or a topic• To tell a story or relate an experience• To explain how to do or make something• To explain the steps in a processSpatial Order• To help readers visualize something as you want them to see it• To create a main impression using the senses (sight, touch, taste,

smell, and sound)Order of Importance• To persuade or convince• To rank items by their importance, benefit, or significance

Drafting

• The stage of the writing process in which the writer develops a complete first version of a piece of writing

• The following approaches, done alone or in combination with others, may improve your writing and help you move forward in the writing process:– Begin writing with the part you know the most about– Write one paragraph at a time and then stop– Take short breaks to refresh your mind– Be reasonable with your goals– Keep your audience and purpose in mind as you write -

Most important

Drafting

• Start and restart• Build paragraphs• Open and conclude• Create coherence

Paragraph Building

• Topic sentences make the structure of a text and the writer’s basic arguments easy to locate and comprehend

• The paragraph is the main structural component of an essay as well as other forms of writing

• The paragraph should be long enough for you to address your points and explain your main idea

Hamburger Paragraphs and Essays

Developing

• Explain and support • Add definitions, details, and examples• Supply evidence such as facts, statistics,

expert testimony, and observations

Revising• When you revise, you take a second look at your

ideas– Revise: To examine a piece of writing for clarity of ideas

• When you edit, you take a second look at how you expressed your ideas– Edit: To examine a piece of writing for how the writer

expressed his or her ideas

• Unity: A quality in which all the ideas in a paragraph and in the entire essay clearly belong and are arranged in an order that makes logical sense

• Coherence: A quality in which the wording of an work clearly indicates how one idea leads to another within a paragraph and from paragraph to paragraph

Revising and Editing

• Careful writers use transitions to clarify how the ideas in their sentences and paragraphs are related– Transitions: Words and phrases that

show how the ideas in sentences and paragraphs are related

• Eliminating wordiness helps all readers because it makes your ideas clear, direct, and straightforward

Revising

• Did you achieve your purpose?• Is your paper appropriate for the audience?• Does your paper have structure?

EditingContent and Organization • All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way.

• The content is comprehensive, accurate, and /or persuasive.

• The paper develops a central theme or idea, directed toward the appropriate audience.

• The paper links theory to relevant examples of current experience and industry practice and uses the vocabulary of the theory correctly.

• Major points are stated clearly; are supported by specific details, examples, or analysis; and are organized logically.

• The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points.

• The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper, and reviews the major points.

Readability and Style

• The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.

• Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.

• Sentences are well-constructed, with consistently strong, varied sentences.

Mechanics

• The paper, including the title page, reference page, tables, and appendices, follow APA guidelines for format.

• Citations of original works within the body of the paper follow APA guidelines or other designated guidelines.

• The paper is laid out with effective use of headings, font styles, and white space.

• Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed.• Spelling is correct.

Now, let’s practice!

Generating Ideas• Brainstorm some topics for a paragraph.• Choose the topic about which you wish to

write.Planning• Think about what your topic sentence will be.• Plan your supporting details.

Drafting and Developing

• Draft your paragraph.• Now, read your paragraph and see if you

can add any more details.• Add a conclusion.

Revising

• Share your paragraphs.• Give each other ideas for improving your

paragraphs.

Editing

• Use the Proofreading and Editing Checklist to Correct Your Paragraph.

Publish and Celebrate

• When your paragraph is finished, you may want to illustrate it, publish it in an email, on Facebook, or in some other way.

• Celebrate your success!

Summarize Your Learning

• What are the steps of the writing process?• Which one do you think is most important?• Why do you think as you do?• Could you add to your paragraph to develop

an essay on the topic?• How is an essay like a paragraph?

Assessment

• How do you access writing?• How are rubrics Helpful?

Lesson Planning

What are the elements of an effective lesson?

• Essential Question(s) (What are the key questions to be answered in the lesson?)

• Activating Thinking Strategies (Word Maps, Word Splashes, Vocabulary, Quick Internet Search)

• Acceleration Strategies (Focus on Content)

Lesson Planning

• Teaching Strategies (graphic organizers, group discussions, collaborative teams, etc.)

• Prompts (Distributed guided practice and summarizing)

• Summarizing Strategies (Ticket out the door Answer the essential questions.)

Final Steps in the Process

• Extending/Refining Activity (Thinking skills and writing prompts)

• Assignment and/or Assessment• Re-Teaching Focus and Strategy

Unit Planning

• Topic• Essential Questions• Major Concepts and Skills (Create a content

map.)• Steps• Performance/Product or Project that is the

Culminating Activity• Student Assignments for Culminating Activity

• Paragraph Description of the Culminating Activity

• Steps or Task Analysis of the Culminating Activity

• Culminating Activity Rubric

• Launch Activity1. How will you create interest?

(motivational activity)2. How will you link knowledge? (cognitive

activity)3. How will you preview the content map?4. How will you preview major vocabulary?

Acquisition Lessons and Activities

You must have at least one lesson or

activity for each essential question.

Extending/Refining Lessons and Activities

Hint: Most important essential questions should have

thinking skills activities.

Cause/Effect Compare/Contrast Constructing Support Classifying Error AnalysisJustification Induction Example to Idea Deduction Evaluation Idea to ExampleAbstracting Analyzing PerspectivesWriting Prompts

What Resources or Materials will be needed for this unit?

Celebration

How will you celebrate learning?

Additional Comments, Decisions, and Questions

Process is important in writing and in planning lessons and units!