The Writing ProcessEnglish Language Arts

Mrs. Gatz

The Writing Process is used whenever someone is composing a longer written work. It traditionally consists of the following 5 steps:

Pre-writing Drafting Revision Editing

Publication

The Writing Process

Pre-writing is the act of getting thoughts and ideas out of your head and onto paper. Here are some common ways to complete the Pre-Writing step of the Writing Process:

Listing Concept/Bubble Mapping

Outlining Free-writing

(We will talk about this in detail later).

Pre-Writing

Sample

Pre-Writing

new start

sunny

warm new life

SPRING

flowers

baby animalsoutdoor

activities

Drafting occurs when you take the ideas you formulated in the Pre-Writing phase and organize them into a rough draft.

Drafting

Revision takes place following the writing of the first draft.

Contrary to popular belief, revision is NOT just looking for mistakes. When you revise your paper, (or someone else’s for that matter), you are looking for:

Organization Logic Word choice Clarity Cohesion (unity of ideas)

Revision

1. Read the entire essay once without stopping.2. Re-read the essay, checking the TS and CS to make

sure they are strong and relate to one another.3. Re-read the CD, DQ, and CM’s to make sure they

collectively prove the point you want to make in that paragraph.

4. As you are reading, think about the following questions.

1. What is the thesis? Is it clear?2. What is good about the essay? 3. What do you think needs work?

5. Answer the questions on the Peer Revision form.

How to Perform a Peer Revision

Editing is the act of looking for errors or mistakes.

When you edit your paper, (or someone else’s), you will be checking for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes.

Sample

Editing

1. Familiarize yourself with the editing symbols.2. Exchange papers with your partner.3. Read the entire essay 1 time without stopping.4. Re-read the essay, checking for spelling/grammar

mistakes.5. Re-read the essay checking for punctuation errors.

(Refer to editing symbols).6. As you read, think about the following questions:

1. What needs work?2. What is good about the essay?3. What grade do you think the essay

deserves?

7. Answer the questions on the Peer Editing form.

How to Peer Edit a Paper

CCHS Editing Symbols

The publication stage of the Writing-Process is simple: type your paper with as few errors as possible. In this class, you will be using MLA format.

Publication

MLA Format Basics

1” margins on all sides of paper

12 pt font, Times New Roman

Everything is double-spaced

MLA In-text citation

Heading is at the top left corner of the paper and includes: name, teacher, class, and due date; it should also be double-spaced

Works cited page (if required)

You can find details about setting up your final draft in MLA at the homework website

http://cchs.ccusd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=73723&type=u&pREC_ID=434751

Or visit Owl Purdue for further assistance.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

About MLA