My Writing LifeBrandi BoersmaAP Language
Pre-Writing
•Get distractions out of way▫Already check my
facebook▫Do easier
homework first▫Eat▫Sleep▫Pee
Setting the Mood ;)
•Get comfortable ▫Warm temperature▫Body position▫Clothes▫Hair out of face▫Distanced from work
watchers•Grab a pencil and paper• If there is criteria, grab
that info
Pre-Brainstorming• Type ▫ What kind of paper
am I writing?• Audience ▫ Who am I writing this
paper to/for?• Main Idea ▫ What subjects should
be written about?▫ Length of paper?
Nonfiction; Research Paper
GVSU Honors College Application
Anything with factsA few pages, minimum
Initial Brainstorming
• Jot down ideas▫Ideas from past▫Relevant topics▫Areas of interest▫Something I’ve
been wondering about
•Branch off details
PovertyBicyclesCollegeHiccupsAlcoholism
Eliminating Ideas
•Which meets criteria best?▫Enough details without missing information▫Would I be interested in writing this▫Would my audience be interested in reading
this?▫Not overdone/cliché▫Can I tie this into ______(insert points to include,
people/ideas to compare, etc)▫Does this make sense?▫Will I change my mind on this subject later?▫Do I include all sides of argument if persuasive.
Final DecisionFinal Decision
•Create outlines •Questions▫Details to include?▫Order of events?▫ Interesting and unique?▫Achieves purpose/goal?▫ Includes everything?▫ I feel good about idea.
•Which is best?
Pre-Introduction
•How should I sound?▫Intelligent▫Humorous▫Informal
•What to include?▫Personal stories▫Vocabulary words
▫Personality
IntelligentFormalAs myself
PersonalityIntelligent words and/or phrases
Introduction•How should I start?▫ Interesting fact▫Definition▫One word sentence
•Build from initial broad statement▫Narrow in▫Introduce topic with
an overview▫Don’t ridiculously
obviously state thesis
•Connect the dots
Interesting fact:A pig farmer named Charles Osborne holds the world’s longest record of hiccups—almost 70 continuous years!
Introduction to hiccups-What are they-The causes-The process-How have hiccups mattered?
Take Quick Break
• Grab a snack• Facebook pitstop• Potty Break• Read and edit for little
details and mistakes• Feeling okay about this?▫ If not, refer back to
second and third choice ▫Brainstorm, start over
BodyFirst Paragraph
• Allow some distractions▫Quiet music▫Facebook ▫Texting
• Refer to outline▫ Logical timeline▫ Flow
• Details • Consciousness of flow• Edit paragraph by
paragraph• Connect the Dots
Mini historical timeline
Ends in 3 types today
Description and examples of types
No cure, at home remedies, end on their own
BodyThe “In-between” Paragraphs•Refer to outline• Things are still going well?▫Best order?▫Anything to add?▫Do I sound how I want
to?▫Going in right direction?
• Look up interesting facts •Address opposition•Connect the Dots
Hiccup demographics
Hiccup speed
Hiccups in interesting places
Hiccups bad/annoying
Conclusion•Refer to outline•Missing links?•Criteria met?•Points to recap•Attempt some major
WOW statement as final sentence▫Usually fail.
•Connect the Dots
Bibliography
Hiccups not so bad
“The hiccup is simply a friendly reminder that you’re alive, and what a good reminder that is.”
Final Editing• Reread aloud as whole ▫edit
• Break!• Peer edit aloud• Break!• Fix peer edit• Reread as whole▫additional editing
• Get it out of sight and thought Editing
Pal
DONE.