Communication Arts

The Writing Process

Communication Arts

Five Stages of the Writing Process

•Prewriting•Drafting•Revising•Editing•Publishing

Communication Arts

PrewritingThink, Think, Think…

– Who is my audience?• My classmates, teacher, a

community member, a younger student…

• Do they have any knowledge of my topic?

• Will I need to provide background knowledge?

– What is my purpose?• Am I writing to provide

information, to persuade, to find out information, or to tell a story?

Communication Arts

PrewritingThink, Think, Think…

– What do I want to say?• What are the requirements that I

have to have?• Do I need to research information

to complete my writing?– How do I want to say it?

• Am I writing a letter, creating a book or PowerPoint, an essay…

– What graphic organizer will I use?• Brainstorm ideas on a piece of

paper, create a web, put the information into a Venn Diagram…

Communication Arts

PrewritingSample of a Web

Communication Arts

PrewritingSample of a Venn Diagram

Communication Arts

PrewritingYou may create your own graphic organizer or choose and print one from the websites below.

Education Place

Teachnology

Write Design Online

Communication Arts

DraftingWrite it down…

– Are my thoughts organized?• Do I stick with the same idea

throughout my writing?• Do I know what order I want to say

things in?– Which ideas do I want to develop?

• On your prewriting identify the ideas which you must use, might use, and will not use.

• Do not cross anything totally out. You may decide at a later time to use it.

• What ideas should I develop further?

Communication Arts

DraftingWrite it down…

– In what order do I want to say my ideas?

• On your prewriting, number your thoughts or ideas. Place them in the order that would make the most logical sense.

• If you are dealing with time, make sure they are in chronological order.

– Did I skip lines?• This will allow room for yourself

and others to make corrections.– Did I label everything?

• My name is on the page and all pages have a page numbers.

Communication Arts

RevisingImprove your writing…

– Are my details clear?• Are my words descriptive?• Did I use repetitive words?

– Should I add or take out parts?• Do I need to explain more?• Is there something missing that I

should include?– Is my writing in a sensible order?

• Does my writing need to be in time order?

• Does the information need to be presented in a way that is easy for others to follow?

Communication Arts

RevisingImprove your writing…

– Have I used the best ideas or words?

• Am I showing others that I know what I am writing about?

• Have I used the best examples or words to describe my ideas or thoughts?

– Is my writing in a sensible order?• Does my writing need to be in

time order?• Does the information need to be

presented in a way that is easy for others to follow?

Communication Arts

EditingCorrect your work…

– Have I used complete sentences?• All of my thoughts are complete.• There are no run-ons.

– Are my language conventions correct?

• Spelling• Capitalization and punctuation• Grammar

– Have I used editing marks to make corrections?

• Remember to look in your writing folder if you forgot what to use.

Communication Arts

EditingCorrect your work…

– Have I had at least two people edit my paper?

• Choose two people in the classroom, that are on the editing stage. If no one is, you may choose to look over your work again. You may also write in your journal if you cannot find someone to edit your work. Be sure to check after a few minutes to see if someone is ready.

– Editing others work…• Make sure to check for the same

items you did when editing your own work.

– Check for complete sentences, check the language conventions, and use editing marks for corrections.

Communication Arts

EditingEditing Marks…

insertindentcheck spellingdeletecapitalizelower caseinsert period

Communication Arts

PublishingGet ready to share…

– Did I do my best work?– Did I include a title (if

needed)?– Is my final copy neat?– Should I illustrate the

pages?• You may use the computer to

create this or draw your own.– Do I need a title page with

illustrations?– Should I read it out loud?

Communication Arts

PublishingHandwriting your work…

– If you are given a certain type of paper to write on, make sure you have it.

– There should be no errors in your work. Erase all mistakes so that you cannot see them.

– Use your best handwriting. – Be sure to reread your work

before turning it in.– You may also type your work if

you would like.

Communication Arts

PublishingTyping your work…

– Sign up for a time to get on the computer.

– Be sure to reread your work. Spell check is not always reliable.

– Look in your writing folder for requirements when typing your work.

Communication Arts

PublishingTurning it in…

– What order does my work go in?

• Final Copy• Any Drafts (Please label these

pages with DRAFT at the top).• Prewriting• Rubric