Web Page: Perfecting Your Writing Process
Web Page: Prewriting
Web Page: Revising and Editing Writing Assignments
Web Page: Editing and Proofreading
Web Page: How to Publish a Book, Get Published
186
Using the Writing Process
When you write specifically for publication, you will follow a version of inquiry called the writing process. Completing the steps in this process will take you from the blank page/screen to a polished, published draft.
Steps in the Writing Process
The writing process breaks a large task into small, manageable steps, each with a different purpose.
| Prewriting |
| Drafting |
| Revising |
| Editing |
| Publishing |
Your Turn Reflect on the writing process. Which step do you excel at? Which step is most challenging? Skim the following pages, noting the instructions and reminders offered for each step of the process. Which ideas do you think will be most helpful to you? Why?
187
Prewriting
Prewriting involves exploring a general subject, selecting a specific topic, creating a thesis statement, conducting research, and organizing the information.
- ▶ Exploring the Subject: Subjects are general areas of interest. The Dewey decimal categories below demonstrate how broad these areas of interest can be:
- ▶ Selecting a Topic: Trying to cover all of philosophy, or language, or the arts, and so on, in a single written work is not possible. Doing some basic research can help you to narrow your subject to a particular topic. Look for a topic that you can discuss in a thorough manner in whatever form you are using.
- ▶ Forming a Thesis: A thesis states the specific thought or feeling about the topic that you will explain and share in your written work. You can form your thesis using this formula:
- ▶ Researching: Continue to research your topic, gathering information and details that support and develop your thesis. Chapters 23 and 24 of this book provide an in-depth guide to conducting research.
- ▶ Organizing: While conducting your research, remember to keep track of the sources you consult. Also plan how you will order the information in order to present your ideas clearly.
Your Turn Think about a general subject you are currently studying; choose a particular part of the subject; then narrow that part to a specific topic that interests you. Finally, form a thesis statement that includes a specific thought or feeling about the topic.
188
Drafting
When you draft, you work steadily to put your ideas into an initial, rough form without stopping. Afterward you can rework this initial writing into a clear first draft, but do not worry about mechanical errors at this point. Your first draft ought to contain a beginning, a middle, and an ending.
- ▶ Beginning:The beginning does a number of important jobs.
- Grabs the reader’s attention with an interesting fact, question, or anecdote
- Provides necessary background
- Establishes a voice appropriate for the purpose of the writing
- States the thesis of the piece
- ▶ Middle:The middle supports and develops the thesis, providing a variety of details and information:
- Facts and statistics explain ideas.
- Definitions and examples clarify ideas.
- Anecdotes and observations connect the topic to real life.
- Quotations and citations offer expert information.
- Experiments supply scientific evidence.
- Logic and argumentation persuade the reader.
- The middle also organizes the supporting details according to a pattern. Here are a number of basic patterns of organization:
- Time: Organizing details chronologically
- Location: Organizing details spatially
- Logic:Presenting statements according to correct reasoning
- Deduction: Working from a general principle to specific details
- Induction: Working from specific details to a general principle
- Conversion: Taking a position, then arguing toward an opposite opinion
- Least to most: Presenting details from least to most important
- Most to least: Presenting details from most to least important
- Subject by subject: Describing one subject completely; then the other
- Point by point: Treating one point at a time
- Causes and effects: Covering causes and then effects
- Similarities and differences: Covering comparisons and then contrasts
- Pros and cons: Covering benefits and then drawbacks
- ▶ Ending:The ending leaves an impression in one or more ways.
- Sums up the thesis
- Emphasizes a key point
- Connects with the reader’s life
- Calls the reader to act
- Provides a strong final thought
- Asks a provocative question
189
Revising
After completing a solid first draft, take a break. The length of the break can vary depending upon the complexity of the writing, but it should be long enough for you to return to your work refreshed and ready to revise your draft.
Revising the Global Traits
The checklist below can help you revise your work, checking it for the “big” traits of effective writing: ideas, organization, and voice. Use this checklist to determine what is working and what is not working in your own or a classmate’s writing.
Revising Checklist
Ideas
- 1. The writing focuses on one part of an interesting topic.
- 2. The thesis is clear, concise, and compelling.
- 3. A variety of details develops the thesis.
- 4. Each paragraph focuses on a main point.
- 5. The writing achieves its purpose (inform, persuade, entertain).
Organization
- 6. The beginning captures the reader’s attention and provides the thesis.
- 7. The middle develops the thesis.
- 8. Details are arranged effectively (time, location, importance) and paragraphs appear in the best order.
- 9. The ending sums up the thesis and provides a final thought.
Voice
- 10. The voice is appropriate to the topic and purpose of the writing.
- 11. The voice connects with the reader.
- 12. The level of language is appropriate to the writing form.
Making Improvements
When you revise, you make four basic improvements: (1) add necessary information, (2) remove unnecessary details, (3) reorder disorganized material, and (4) rework unclear ideas.
Your Turn Use the checklist above to review the first draft of a paper that you have recently written. Whenever you need to revise a first draft or help another writer revise, return to this checklist. (Download a template.)
190
Editing
Once you have completed the large-scale improvements and made a clean copy of your revised writing, it is time to edit your work. Editing involves fine-tuning the words, sentences, correctness, and design of the piece. The checklist below will help.
Editing Checklist
Words
- 1. Nouns are specific and verbs are active.
- 2. Modifiers are used sparingly and only to improve clarity.
- 3. Words show respect for gender, ethnicity, age, and ability.
Sentences
- 4. Sentences vary in length and begin in different ways.
- 5. Sentences flow smoothly.
- 6. Most sentences use active voice.
- 7. All sentences include a subject and a predicate and express a complete thought. (See pages 195-196 .)
Correctness
- 8. All sentences end with correct punctuation.
- 9. Commas are used correctly. (See page 191 .)
- 10. Subjects and verbs agree. (See page 194 .)
- 11. Pronouns and antecedents agree. (See page 194 .)
- 12. Spelling and capitalization are correct.
Design
- 13. The document follows the requirements of the assignment or form.
- 14. The typeface is easy to read.
- 15. White space (margins, blank lines) creates accessible blocks of text.
- 16. The overall design enhances the clarity of the piece.
Publishing
Publishing brings your work to the public so that others can learn from it, respond to it, and build upon it. In addition to traditional publications, online options allow you to share your ideas across the globe.
Your Turn Choose a piece of writing that you have recently completed. Use the checklist above to edit the document. (Download a template.) Then find a publication form that fits your purpose and reaches the reader in the best way possible.
