February 9, 2011

Introduction to Writing

Housekeeping

• Textbooks• Welcome Sheet• Class Website

Introduction to Writing

• Good writers use a writing process• Effective writing makes a point and supports a

point

Prewriting Activity

• Divide your paper into four sections• For each topic on the board, write down your

“best” or “worst” (just one or two words)• In pairs, share what you wrote.

Prewriting Activity• Join another pair.• In your group, you must do two things:– learn and remember the names of each person in

your group– give a “mini-speech” about one of your best or

worst topics • give as much SPECIFIC detail as possible• after, the other members should ask you questions to

get a full understanding of why the experience was the best or worst.

Wrap-up

The Writing Process

• Most good writers do not write a composition in one try.

• Most writers use a writing process, a series of steps to move from their first ideas to a focused, well-supported, clear, and correct composition.

• There is not one “right way” for everyone.

• We will use the basic writing process in the text to improve our writing.

The Writing Process

• Prewriting• Drafting• Revising• Editing

• Look at the back of the first page in the book: “The STEPS in the Writing Process.”

• For more information, see “Chapter 2 The Writing Process.”

Prewriting, p. 19

• Today we’re going to focus on prewriting.

• We will study the other steps of the writing process (drafting, revising, and editing) as we work on paragraphs and essays.

Pre-Writing, p. 18

• Freewriting• Questioning• Making a List (Brainstorming)• Clustering• Scratch Outline• Detailed Outline

Pre-Writing, p. 18

• Some of these help you generate ideas, some help you organize your ideas, and some do both.

Freewriting

What is freewriting?• Writing non-stop on a specific subject for 5 or

10 minutes

What is the purpose of freewriting?• To explore your thoughts and ideas on a topic

before writing.

Freewriting

How to Freewrite:• Write whatever comes into your head about

the subject. • Keep writing even if you get stuck. • Do not worry about grammar or spelling (No

corrections!).• Focus on getting your thoughts on paper.

Example, p. 19

• Let’s look at the first freewrite the writer of the “My Job in an Apple Plant” did.

Title: Freewriting Your Name: ____________

Topic: Choose one of your best/worst topics

• If you run out of things to say, just write “I am looking for something to say” until the next idea comes.

• Don’t worry about making mistakes or the the way the ideas are arranged (this is “free” writing!).

• Keep your pen moving.

• Write until the time is up! (10-15 minutes)

Quick Feedback

• How was that?• Did the time go fast or slow?• Did you get stuck?• How did you get unstuck?

10 minute break

Introduction to Writing

• What is the difference between talking and writing?

Point and Support in Two Cartoons

1. Look at the first cartoon on p. 6• Point: • Support:

2. Look at the second cartoon on p. 7• Point: • Support:

Point and Support in a Paragraph

• Let’s look at the example on p. 8.

What is the writer’s point?

• Complete the outline of the sample paragraph. You may answer in phrases or point form.

You have approximately 10 min. Then we will go over it together.

Point: Working in an apple plant is the worst job I ever had. (Topic Sentence)

Reason 1: _work was physically hard

Details: a) Loaded cartons onto skids for ten hours a night.

b) _the cartons were heavy and came non-stop

Reason 2: the pay was terrible

Details: a) minimum wage - $3.65 and only a quarter extra for night shift.

b) Had to work sixty hours for decent take-home pay.

Reason 3: The conditions were bad/he hated them

Details: a) Only 2 ten minute breaks and an unpaid lunch

b) spent most of the time on the loading dock in cold temperatures.

c) Loneliness on the job . . .

Activity: Paragraph on the best or worst __________________________.

1. Re-read your freewriting.

2. Make an outline (like the one we did of the sample paragraph) for a paragraph on your best or worst ______________________.– Provide three reasons why it was the best or

worst.

–Give plenty of details to develop each of your reasons.

Homework

• Pay your textbook deposit in the office asap.

• OR pay me before or after class (not during!)

• Talk to me after class or before next class if you are not able to pay the text deposit.