Three Phases of Effective Writing. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.The writing process - 2 The Writing Process: Three Phases

Three Phases of Three Phases of Effective WritingEffective Writing

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. The writing process - 2

The Writing Process:Three Phases

• Get ready to write

• Write the first draft

• Revise your draft


Getting Ready to Write

• Step 1: List and schedule writing tasks

– Break project into smaller tasks

– Estimate time for each step

– Start with due date and work backward



• Step 2: Generate ideas

– Brainstorm with a group

– Speak it

– Use free writing• Write without stopping• Let your ideas flow• Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation,

or grammar



• Step 3: Refine initial ideas

– Select a topic and a working title• Don’t get stuck—you can change it later• Don’t select too broad a topic

– Write a thesis statement• Make an assertion or describe an action• Use a complete sentence



• Step 4: Consider your purpose

– To make your audience think differently:• Make your writing clear and logical• Support your assertions with evidence

– To make your audience feel differently:• Consider crafting a story

– To make your audience take an action:• Explain what steps to take• Offer solid benefits for doing so



• Step 5: Do initial research

– Get an overview of the subject

• Step 6: Outline

– Brainstorm ideas on 3 by 5 cards

– Group cards into category stacks

– Arrange stacks and cards in logical order



• Step 7: Do in-depth research

– Use techniques in Chapters 4 and 5

– Use 3 by 5 cards• Write one idea per card• Always include source information

– Sense when to begin writing


Writing the First Draft

• Remember: The first draft is not for keeps

• Write freely

• Be yourself

• Let your inner writer take over

• Ease into it


Writing the First Draft

• Make writing a habit

• Respect your deep mind

• Get physical

• Use affirmations and visualizations

• Hide it in your drawer for a while


Revising Your Draft

• Step 1: Cut– Cut passages that don’t contribute

to your purpose

– Look for excess baggage

– Make larger cuts first: sections, chapters, pages

– Then make smaller cuts: paragraphs, sentences, phrases, words


Revising Your Draft

• Step 2: Paste

– Examine what’s left after cutting• Look for missing transitions and connecting

ideas• Look for consistency within paragraphs• Look for consistency between paragraphs

and sections

– Reorder your ideas logically• Imaging cutting your paper up with scissors

and pasting passages down in a new order


Revising Your Draft

• Step 3: Fix

– Examine individual words and phrases

– Rely on nouns and verbs

– Use the active voice

– Don’t be verbose or vague

– Define terms readers may not know


Revising Your Draft

• Step 4: Prepare

– Know the required formats• Margins• Title page• Notes and bibliographies

– Use quality paper

– Bind your paper with a cover


Revising Your Draft

• Step 5: Proof

– Check spelling and grammar

– Look for:• Clear thesis statement• Guidepost sentences• Supporting details• Lean sentences• Action verbs, specific nouns


What is plagiarism?

• Using another person’s words or pictures without giving proper credit.

• Plagiarism can cost you your grade and may result in expulsion from school.


• Use quotation marks for direct quotes, and document the source

• Paraphrase properly, and credit as you would for a direct quote

For more information, consult the Modern Language Association.

Avoiding Plagiarism

Documents

Three Phases of Effective Writing. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.The writing process - 2 The Writing Process: Three Phases