The Writing Process

Once upon a time...

Brainstorm
(Brain Drain)

How do I get ideas?

What are some ways to brainstorm?

Click HERE and HERE for some graphic organizers for brainstorming.

Rough Draft
(Sloppy Copy)

Tips When Going From Brainstorming To Writing

Be selective in the ideas that you include. You don't have to include
everything that was in your prewriting! Pick your best ideas.
Make sure they relate to each other and your topic.
WRITE! WRITE! WRITE!
Don't stop once you start writing. Revising and editing
come later. Just let the ideas flow. (Don't worry about spelling!)
Don't count words, ask your teacher how long it should be or when
it is done. When YOU feel that you have completed your ideas,
you are then ready to go to the next stage.
HOLD IT! Before going to the next stage, make sure you have
enough content to work with. If you feel that you are lacking content,
go back to your prewriting for more ideas and details.

Revise and Edit
(Goof Proof)

Revising Is...

making decisions about how you want to improve your writing
looking at your writing from a different point of view
picking places where your writing could be clearer, more
interesting, more informative and more convincing.

Editing Is...

Methods of Revising

A.R.R.R. - This method allows you to make four types of changes.

Adding	What else does the reader need to know?
Rearranging	Is the information in the most logical and most effective order?
Removing	What extra details or unnecessary bits of information are in this piece of writing?
Replacing	What words or details could be replaced by clearer or stronger expressions?

Revising Tips: Ask Yourself These Questions

Can you read it out loud without stumbling?
Does every word and action count? There should be a reason why a
character acts or speaks in a certain way.
Is the series of events logical? Do they relate?
Is it clear what your goal or your main character's goal is throughout the piece of writing?
Are vivid/descriptive words used to describe characters and/or events?
Is your train of thought clear?
Do you use a variety of verbs throughout the piece? (Something instead of "SAID")
Are you using the same words and phrases over and over again?
Is there a catchy introduction? Does the conclusion leave the reader thinking?
Are transitional words used throughout?
Is there a strong hook and lead-in?
Are all sentences complete or are there sentence fragments?
Is a vivid mental picture created in the reader's mind?
Have you completed sentence expansion where necessary? (NO "HE RAN!")
Did you use a thesaurus?

Click HERE to view our color-coded Writers Checklist that we use in
Mrs. Gold's Classroom.

Partner Edit
(Smart Part)

Read your partner's writing and correct any mistakes you see (spelling, grammar, etc...)
Tell your partner three things you liked about their writing.
Tell your partner three things you'd change about their writing. (adding more detail, more exciting introduction/ending, etc...) BE SPECIFIC! Don't just say "You need more detail." Give them a specific example of where they could add detail and what they could write.

Teacher Conference

This is my time to read over your writing and give you tips.

Publish
(Final Fame)

HERE are 98 creative ways to publish your writing!

...and they lived happily ever after!