The Essay: Starting to Write

Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net

The Essay

Starting the Essay


What is Writing?


Linear Process

Recursive Processprewrite

write

revise

prewrite write edit/ revise

edit


Writing is…Prewriting (Exploring)WritingRewriting (Editing and Revising)

–Editing–Revising


In the Prewriting Stage

First You MUST

Consider…


TopicWhat is the assignment?How do I feel about it?Do I have any experience or

opinion?Have I seen a movie or read a

book about it?How did I feel about class the

readings?


AudienceWho are my readers?What do they know?Possibilities: Formal academic, casual academic, Formal Business, Casual,… others?


Purpose

Is my goal to entertain?to persuade?to inform?


Then, you must come up with ideas!

Prewriting techniques are helpful!


Prewriting TechniquesFreewritingBrainstormingQuestioningClustering

OutliningAssertions

(-LY Cousins)Categorization

(FREECASH)


Freewriting/ BrainstormingWrite whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar or correctness.


QuestioningAnswering the WH- Questions

Who WhatWhen WhereWhy How


Clustering


Outline Structure Thesis statement:____________________________I. _______________________________________________A. _____________________________________________________B. _____________________________________________________II. ______________________________________________ A. _____________________________________________________B. _____________________________________________________Concluding idea: ______________________________


Topic Sentence Outline Example

Thesis: Thus, having a good class is easy if you follow these three steps: prepare, concentrate and complete all assignments.

TS1: Before the class, you should prepare before you arrive at the class.

TS2: During the class, you can try to concentrate as much as you can and pay good attention to your instructor.

TS3: After the class, you have to apply what you have learned by completing all assignments.

Conclusion: To sum up, doing well in class is easy if you follow these above steps: prepare, concentrate and complete all assignments.


Assertions

Looking at the issue from various perspectives

-LY Cousins


-LY CousinsUsing -ly adverbs to brainstorm can provide a way to begin thinking about your topic and how to explore it.

Ask yourself how the topic/issue affects you, the society, or the world


Physically

Mentally Academically

Spiritually

Ethically Technologically

Personally

Socially Linguistically

Politically

Financially

Environmentally

Morally Racially Emotionally


Categorization (FREECASH)A method for organizing an essay ideas is to use FREECASH, a set of eight categories that cover a wide range of ideas while at the same time providing specificity and organization.


F Freedom, Fairness, Legality, Human Rights, Social Justice

R Right & Wrong, Morality, Ethics

E Economics, Monetary Issues, Finances, Expenses

E Environments: natural, workplace, home, school, etc.

C Convenience, Comfort

A Appearance, Aesthetics

S Safety, Security

H Health: individual, societal, mental, physical, emotional, etc.


WritingTake all your ideasWrite draftDon’t have to start with the First Paragraph!


RewritingRevision

–Content–Format–Documentation

Editing– Grammar– Sentence Structure– Vocabulary–Punctuation


Revising1. Refine Thesis2. Reorganize Material3. Add Details4. Reword Sentences5. Look at Transitions


EditingCheck for complete sentences

Check for FR and RO Check for SV agreement

Eliminate Passive VerbsCheck Spelling


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The Essay: Starting to Write