Preparing to Write

Comm Arts I

Mr. Wreford

Preparing to Write

• Prewriting– The best defense against writer’s block.– The first step in the writing process.– Sorting out your thoughts on a topic.– Finding out what you have to say about it.– May include narrowing your topic.– Prewriting methods can jump-start the writing

process.

Preparing to Write

• Prewriting Methods– Brainstorming:

• A listing technique.

• Easy.

• List whatever comes to mind on your topic.

• Don’t worry if they’re right or wrong.

• Turn to page 17 in your text.

Preparing to Write

• Prewriting Methods– Freewriting:

• Nonstop writing on a topic for a set time.

• Your flow of words never ceases.

• If you have nothing to say, repeat your last thought.

• Don’t worry; just write.

• Turn to page 18 in your text.

Preparing to Write

• Prewriting Methods– Invisible Writing: A Computer Technique:

• Freewriting technique for a computer.

• Type the words “Invisible Writing” at the top of the page.

• Turn your monitor off.

• Freewrite for five or ten minutes.

Preparing to Write

• Prewriting Methods– Clustering:

• Designed to boost your creativity by stimulating both hemispheres of the brain.

• Left side: logical side.

• Right side: creative side.

• Begin with a circled word (your topic) and map out associations.

• See page 20 for examples.

Preparing to Write

• Prewriting Methods– Narrowing Your Topic: The Topic-Subtopic

Method:• Write down the topic.• List possible subtopics.• Look over the list of subtopics and pick the one you

are most interested in. This subtopic now becomes your topic.

• Repeat the process until you have narrowed your topic to an appropriate size for a paragraph.

Preparing to Write

• Prewriting Methods– Outlining:

• Often the last step in the prewriting process.

• May just be a few words.

• May be a topic sentence and a brief listing of support.

Preparing to Write

• Journal Writing– Journals are “daily writings.”– Usually informal writings on a variety of

topics.– Allows you to experiment with the techniques

you are learning.– For credit or not, make it a habit.