Writing Skills
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The document discusses the writing process and provides tips for effective writing. It outlines the four steps of the writing process as prewriting, writing, editing/revising, and publishing. It then provides guidance on developing different types of essays and employing traits of good writing such as logical organization, engaging voice, and correct formatting.
Writing Skills
- 1. WRITING SKILLS SAV 2008 WRITING Writing process Writing Styles Referencing
- 2. The Writing Process The writing process consists of 4 steps: Step 1: Prewriting Step 2: Writing Step 3: Editing/Revising Step 4: Publishing
- 3. Step 1:Prewriting Many people use the prewriting stage to brainstorm as many ideas as possible that fits their assignment before they begin to narrow their topic.
- 4. Step 2: Writing Now that you have brainstormed different ideas related to your writing and have formulated a thesis or topic statement, you should begin writing a draft of your essay
- 5. Step 3: Editing and Revising Content - how logical and well supported your ideas are. Organization- the method used to present your ideas to your audience. Punctuation - your use of periods, commas, semi-colons, etc. Not using correct punctuation can lead to run-ons and fragments making your essay difficult to read and understand. Grammar - your use of sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, etc. Check Writer's, INC. pages 518 - 531 for help. Spelling - SPELL CHECK
- 6. Step 4: Publishing Publishing is what makes all your hard work in the previous 3 steps worth it! It is sharing your writing with an audience. Writer Tom Liner states, "You learn ways to improve your writing by seeing its effect on others."
- 7. References MLA Research Paper Documentation Why do you need to cite sources? Most of what you write will be summaries and paraphrases of what someone else has already said or written about. Not to give credit to the original source of your ideas would be considered PLAGIARISM . Plagiarism is considered an academic crime and at most schools results in failure or expulsion.
- 8. TYPES OF WRITING Types of Writing: C ause/effect essay C omparision /contrast essay D efinition essay De scription essay N arration essay P ersuasive essay P rocess analysis essay
- 9. Traits of Effective Writing: Although the type of writing you will be doing is important, the following are certain traits that ALL good writing follow: Stimulating Ideas Logical Organization Engaging Voice Original Word Choice Effective Sentence Style Correct, Accurate Copy
- 10. Good Cause/Effect: Clearly distinguishes between a cause and an effect. Establishes a clear thesis statement. Presents information in an effective order.
- 11. Good Comparison/Contrast: Uses subjects that have enough in common to be compared and or contrasted Serves a purpose-either to help readers make a decision or understand the subjects being compared and/or contrasted Presents several important, parallel points of comparison/contrast Arranges points in a logical organization
- 12. Definition Essay Good Definition : Tells readers what term or concept is being defined Presents a clear and precise basic definition Uses examples to show what the writer means Uses words and examples that readers will understand
- 13. Good Description: Creates a main impression-an overall effect, feeling, or image -about the topic Uses concrete, specific details to support the main impression Uses details that appeal to the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch
- 14. Good Narration Includes specific details to make the incident come alive for your reader Focuses on re-creating an incident that happened to you over a short period of time (usually an emotional experience) Conveys a particular mood (feeling) - do you want to surprise your readers, make them laugh, have them share in your sorrow or fear?
- 15. Good Persuasion: Takes a strong and definite position on an issue or advises a particular action. Gives logical reasons and supporting evidence to defend the position or recommend action. Considers opposing views. Has enthusiasm and energy from start to finish.
- 16. Good Process Analysis: Either helps readers perform the steps themselves or helps them understand how something works Presents the essential steps in a process Explains steps in detail Presents steps in logical order (usually time order - chronological) Adapted from http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/writingresource/mla.html