#1555. Using the Writing Process

Reading/Writing, level: Senior
Posted Fri Feb 4 05:14:45 PST 2000 by Donald M. Rickett (drickett@gcsc.k12.in.us).
Greenfield-Central High School, Greenfield, Indiana USA
Materials Required: Pen/Paper/
Activity Time: Full 90 minutes for each step
Concepts Taught: Steps to completing an essay

Chapter 4: Steps of the Writing Process
Knowing when to do something on a composition is important

Step 1

 Get the assignment
 Select three possible topics for this assignment

 Give the thesis or initial incident statement
 Give the climax, focal point, or subtopics
 Give the conclusion

 Rank the topics according to interest
 Select the one topic desired without telling others of choice

Step 2

 Check for the completion of the assignment

 All three topics
 Give three aspects for each topic
 Ranking of topics
 Selection of topic

 Pair up with students to discuss all three topics

 Alternate the general telling of all three stories
 Listener should tell the teller which is the best topic
 Do twice for fifteen minutes each

 Discuss problems with topic selection
 Give suggestions for discovering topic

 Should have plenty to talk about
 Should have enthusiasm about topic
 Listener enjoyed listening to you tell about it

 Assignment for Step 3

 Outline the chosen topic -- Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
 Write the first draft -- the reason for first drafts is to produce ideas

Step 3

 Check outlines and first drafts
 Discuss problems associated with writing first drafts
 Discuss the purpose of the second or third draft of essay

 Get story/essay in proper order
 Be conscious of paragraphing/time changes paragraphs in narratives
 Use complete sentences

 Assignment

 Do a completed rough draft
 Must be in Final Copy Form
 Anyone who does not have a Final Copy Form will not continue the assignment unless a valid reason exists for not having it completed. A valid reason does not include not knowing what the assignment was.

 Work on the new drafts during the class today

 May get help from other students as you work
 Teacher will respond to general questions from students

Step 4

 Check for Final Copy Form of new draft
 Use Proofreading form from Writing Manual for working with essays today
 Students should proofread their own essays first while the teacher goes through the program once
 Students trade papers to go through program three more times

 Concerns

 Do I have to know the author to understand the essay
 Can other details be added

 Anecdotes
 Dialogue
 Examples
 Facts
 Statistics
 Illustrations

 Paragraphing needs

 Bring all materials to Step 5

 Have three other people (one an adult) proofread papers
 Have pen and paper in class -- all students are to do this

Step 5

 Respond to questions related to content and organization
 Allow students to revise essays

 May work together for 30 minutes
 Additional proofreading may be done

 Teacher should work with students in solving writing problems
 Have essay in Final Copy Form for Step 6
 We are now done checking for content and organization

 You should now be satisfied with the thoughts and ideas of the essay
 Now we work on the sound of those ideas
 We will proofread grammar and mechanics on Step 6

Steps 6 and 7

 Check the Final Copy Form from all students
 Students should check their own essays as teacher goes through program once
 Check the following

 Fundamentals
 Punctuation
 Sentence Structure
 Final Copy Form
 Paragraphing
 Other areas covered by Writing Manual

 Students should trade essays at least three more times during class period
 Students should get essays proofread for grammar and mechanics by adults and others
 Bring all materials to class for Step 7 - We will repeat Step 6

 Bring all materials to class for Step 8 for General Proofreading

 Essay should be in Final Copy Form
 New Draft

Step 8

 Check for Final Copy Form from Students
 General Proofreading for anything needed for essay
 Students may work together

 Check paragraphing
 Check sentence Structure
 Check all punctuation and capitalization
 Check content and organization

 Final Copy due on Step 9

Step 9

 Give Students time to read Final Copy
 Collect Final Copy