Reading Writing Connection ch5

THE
READING-WRITING CONNECTION
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Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

THE
READING-WRITING
CONNECTION
John Langan

5
Understanding
the Writing Process

5 Understanding the Writing Process
Writing a paper is a process. Even professional writers

do not sit down and write a paper in a single draft.
Instead, they work on it a step at a time. The process of
writing a paper can be divided into the following steps:
Step 1 Getting Started through Prewriting
Step 2 Preparing a Scratch Outline
Step 3 Writing the First Draft
Step 4 Revising and Editing
Step 5 Reading the Paper Aloud
This chapter will show you the five steps.

In addition to showing you the five steps, this lesson will

present three different prewriting strategies you can use
to help you generate supporting details. The three
strategies are:
1 Freewriting
2 Questioning
3 List making

1 Using Freewriting to Develop a Paragraph
Freewriting is just sitting down and writing whatever

comes into your mind about your point. You write
without stopping and without worrying in the slightest
about spelling, grammar, and the like. The aim is to get
down all the information that occurs to you about your
point.

Here is the assignment we’ll use to illustrate the strategy

of freewriting and to illustrate the five steps in writing a
paper:
Assignment:
Write a paragraph that supports the following main idea:

Main idea: There are three people I’d like to send to a desert
island.


Look at some freewriting done by a student named Victor.
Main idea: There are three people I’d like to send to a desert island.
For sure my landlord is one person I want to say good ridance. only
time I hear from him is my check is late if you call him about a problem
all you get is his voice saying he will call back ha! forget about hearing
from him. I’m on the grond floor and at night started hearin all these
sounds at nite they was in a storage room next to my bedrum I looked in
that spot one day and their were big dropings everywhere it must have
been RATS and lots of luck with my landlord doing anything I had to
buy some poison bate myself and put it there

1 Using Freewriting to Develop a Paragraph / Step 1 – Getting Started through Prewriting
Notice that there are mistakes with spelling, grammar, and

punctuation in Victor’s freewriting. He is not concerned
about such matters—nor should he be—at this stage.
1 Using Freewriting to Develop a Paragraph / Step 1 – Getting Started through Prewriting
You should take the same approach when freewriting:

explore your topic without worrying at all about writing
“correctly.” In this early stage of the writing process, you
are just trying to figure out what you want to say.
Step 2 Prepare a Scratch Outline
Your freewriting will eventually help you figure out

which three people you want to write about. Your goal is
to haveHere
three
are the threeitems
supporting people
forthat
yourVictor decided to focus on in a
paragraph.
scratch outline:
There are three people I’d like to send to a desert island.
1. landlord
2. upstairs neighbor
3. brother’s girlfriend

Step 3 Write the First Draft
The first draft is just that—a rough first draft as you put
at least some of your details down and get an overall
sense of the shape of your paper. You still do not have to
worry about spelling or punctuation at this stage of the
writing process. You want to create the foundation of
your paper—its main point and its supporting details.

1 Using Freewriting to Develop a Paragraph / Step 3 – Write the First Draft
Here are the first few sentences of Victor’s first draft.
I’ve got three people for a desert island. First, my landlord. I call him
about problem and I never hear from him. Nothing but a waste of my
time calling him. I’m not going to chase after him, I have my own life to
live. I notice one day my smoke alarm is broken. I put in a new battery
and tryed to test it, it still didn’t work. He needs to replace it or
something. Every once in a while the tolet leaks a bit and there is water
around the base of the toilet. That I then have to wipe up. Lots of luck
getting him to respond. I’ve call and never any answer. But the biggest
thing was hearing rats in the shed next my bedroom. Number 2, I want
to send my neigbor upstairs to the island . . . .
As you can see, Victor has not worried about spelling

or punctuation in this draft. In later drafts, he will build
on what he has in the first draft.

Step 4 Revise and Edit
If possible, you should put your paper aside for a while

before doing later drafts.

1 Using Freewriting to Develop a Paragraph / Step 4 – Revise and Edit
When you revise, try to do all of the following:

• Omit any details that do not truly support the topic
sentence.
• Add more details as needed, making sure you have
enough specific details for each of your supporting items.
• Add addition words such as first, another, second, also, or
finally to signal to the reader you are moving from one
person to another.
• Include a final “caboose” sentence that rounds off the
paper, bringing it to a close.

Look again at the first few sentences of Victor’s first draft.
I’ve got three people for a desert island. First, my landlord. I call him
about problem and I never hear from him. Nothing but a waste of my
time calling him. I’m not going to chase after him, I have my own life to
live. I notice one day my smoke alarm is broken. I put in a new battery
and tryed to test it, it still didn’t work. He needs to replace it or
something. Every once in a while the tolet leaks a bit and there is water
around the base of the toilet. That I then have to wipe up. Lots of luck
getting him to respond. I’ve call and never any answer. But the biggest
thing was hearing rats in the shed next my bedroom. Number 2, I want
to send my neigbor upstairs to the island . . . .

Now look at first few sentences of the paragraph that Victor

eventually produced after revising and editing his first draft.
There are three people I’d like to send to a desert island. The first
would be my landlord. As far as I can tell, my landlord believes that his
only responsibility is to collect his tenants’ rent. If we contact him about
any concern—the toilet leaks, rats in the building, the smoke alarm is
broken—his response is not to respond. I’d be glad to send him to the
desert island forever. The second person I would send is my upstairs
neighbor. Now, I understand that the guy works second shift and doesn’t
get home until midnight. What I don’t understand is why he doesn’t show
a little consideration to people who work normal hours. It’s not unusual
for him to start moving furniture or hammering nails in the walls or
playing loud music at 2 a.m. I’d gladly put him on a one-way trip to that
island. And the final person I’d like to say goodbye to is my brother’s
girlfriend . . . .

Notice that Victor has omitted details that do not truly support
the topic sentence—details such as testing the smoke alarm.
girlfriend . . . .

He has also added details as needed to make sure he has

enough specific details for each of his supporting items.
girlfriend . . . .

He has also added details as needed to make sure he has

enough specific details for each of his supporting items.
Main idea There are three people I’d like to send to a desert island. The first
Specific details
Specific details
girlfriend . . . .

Victor has also used addition words to signal to the reader

he is moving from one person to another.
There are three people I’d like to send to a desert island. Thee first
first
second person I would send is my upstairs
desert island forever. The second
final person I’d like to say goodbye to is my brother’s
island. And the final
girlfriend . . . .

He has also included a final “caboose” sentence that rounds

off the paper, bringing it to a close.
girlfriend . . . . She can join my landlord and neighbor on that island
forever.

Step 5 Read the Paper Aloud
Always proofread a paper by reading it out loud. Make

sure you read exactly what is on the page. Hearing how
your writing sounds is an excellent way to pick up
grammar and punctuation problems in your writing.

This point is so important that it bears repeating:
To help find mistakes in your paper, read it out loud!

2 Using Questions to Develop a Paragraph
You’ve just seen the prewriting strategy of freewriting.

A second prewriting strategy is using questions.
Your purpose in the paragraph is to provide specific

support for your point. To help think about and develop
your support, spend some time asking yourself questions.
As you do, write down answers to those questions.


of using questions as the first step in writing a paper:
Assignment:

Main idea: Today was a good [or bad] day in my life.

Your questions can start with words like what, when,

where, why, and how.
Here are some questions that a student named Ellen
asked while developing her paper:
Main idea: Today was a good [or bad] day in my life.
When did the good parts of the day occur?
Where was I during the good parts?
Why did they make me feel good?
How did I react?

Your questioning will eventually help you develop the

specific details about why the day was a good one. Your
goal is to have at least several supporting items for your
paragraph. Here are the details that Ellen decided to
focus on:
1. beautiful morning
2. did well on math quiz
3. nice conversation at lunch
4. good exercise walking home
5. pizza for dinner

Remember that in the first draft your aim is just to put at

least some of your details down and get an overall sense
of the shape of your paper. Do not worry about spelling
Your
or aim is to at
punctuation create
this the
stage.
foundation of your paper—its main point and its
supporting details.

When you revise, remember to:

• omit details that do not support the topic sentence;
• add enough specific details for each of your supporting
items;
• add addition words to signal that you are moving from

one major supporting detail to another;
• include a final “caboose” sentence that brings the paper

to a close.

2 Using Questions to Develop a Paragraph / Step 4 – Revise and Edit
Here is the paragraph that Ellen eventually produced.
Today was a good day in my life. First of all, the weather was
simply beautiful. It was one of those warm early spring days when the
sun was shining and the birds were singing and the earth smelled of
growing things. I felt like the planet was a good place to be. Secondly,
there was a surprise quiz in my math class that I totally aced. I’ve been
working hard in that class, and it was satisfying to know that I’d been
prepared and done well. Next, at lunchtime, I sat out on the lawn
watching some kids playing Frisbee in the sunshine. Everyone seemed
very relaxed, and there was a lot of good-natured talking and laughter.
A guy from my history class stopped to talk for a few minutes. I don’t
expect to ever date him or anything, but it’s always nice to spend time
with a friendly guy. Also, after my afternoon class was over, I decided to
walk home, rather than take the bus. It’s a two-mile trip, and it actually
was enjoyable to use my body and get a bit of exercise. Finally, my
mother decided that the weather was too nice to cook a meal that night,
and so we ordered pizza, my favorite meal. I know I’ll go to sleep
tonight with a smile on my face.
She includes specific details to support her reasons.
She includes specific details to support her reasons.

Main idea Today was a good day in my life. First of all, the weather was
Specific details very relaxed, and there was a lot of good-natured talking and laughter.
She uses addition words to signal each major detail.
Today was a good day in my life. First

First of
of all,
all, the weather was
Secondly,
Next, at lunchtime, I sat out on the lawn
prepared and done well. Next,
Also, after my afternoon class was over, I decided to
with a friendly guy. Also,
Finally, my
was enjoyable to use my body and get a bit of exercise. Finally,
And she includes a “caboose” sentence.
tonight with awith
tonight smile on myonface.
a smile my face.



3 Using a List to Develop a Paragraph
In list making (also known as brainstorming), you make

a list of ideas and details that could go into your paper.
Simply pile these items up, one after another, without
worrying about putting them in any special order.


of list making as the first step in writing a paper:
Assignment:

Main idea: If I could eat anything I wanted one day, without
worrying about cost or calories, here is what I’d eat.

When you use a list to develop a paragraph, try to think

of as many details as possible and to make them as
specific as possible.
Here are the initial items on the list of a student named
Casey:
orange juice—freshly squeezed
oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon
toasted English muffin with butter
four slices of lightly crisp bacon
....

3 Using a List to Develop a Paragraph / Step 1 – Getting Started through Prewriting
Expand your list with one detail after another—taking

yourself through breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and adding
in snacks, desserts, and drinks as well.
Don’t worry about putting your items in order at this
point. At this prewriting stage, you’re just accumulating
raw material and thinking about your topic by putting a
long list of details on paper.
orange juice—freshly squeezed
oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon
toasted English muffin with butter
four slices of lightly crisp bacon
....

Once you have your list, prepare a scratch outline of your

paragraph. It will serve as a guide to just how to proceed
in writing your paragraph. Here is Casey’s scratch
outline:
1. Breakfast
2. Mid-morning drink and snack
3. Lunch
4. Dinner
5. After-dinner drinks and desserts

Remember that in the first draft your aim is to create

the foundation of your paper—its main point and its
supporting details. Do not worry about spelling or
punctuation at this stage. Your aim is just to put at least
some of your details down and get an overall sense of
the shape of your paper.

When you revise, remember to:

• omit details that do not support the topic sentence;
• add enough specific details for each of your supporting
items;
• add addition words to signal that you are moving from

one major supporting detail to another;
• include a final “caboose” sentence that brings the paper

to a close.

3 Using a List to Develop a Paragraph / Step 4 – Revise and Edit
Here is just the first part of a long paragraph that Casey wrote.
If I could eat anything I wanted one day, without worrying about

cost or calories, here is what I would eat. I’d start off with a small glass
of orange juice—the kind that has a lot of pulp in it, so you feel like
you’re drinking a freshly-squeezed orange. Then, I’d have a small bowl
of oatmeal with cream and brown sugar and cinnamon on it. After that,
I’d go on to have about four pieces of very crisp bacon along with two
eggs that would be prepared once over lightly. . . .

3 Using a List to Develop a Paragraph / Step 4 – Revise and Edit
Notice that words such as then and after signal to the reader
the student is moving from one part of the fantasy dining
day to the next.
If I could eat anything I wanted one day, without worrying about

cost or calories, here is what I would eat. I’d start off with a small glass
of orange juice—the kind that has a lot of pulp in it, so you feel like
Then, I’d have a small bowl
you’re drinking a freshly-squeezed orange. Then,
of oatmeal with cream and brown sugar and cinnamon on it. After After that,
I’d go on to have about four pieces of very crisp bacon along with two
eggs that would be prepared once over lightly. . . .




Understanding the Writing Process–Summary
• Writing a paper is a process that can be divided into the

following steps:
Step 2 Preparing a Scratch Outline
Step 3 Writing the First Draft
Step 4 Revising and Editing
Step 5 Reading the Paper Aloud
• Three useful prewriting strategies to help you generate

supporting details are:
1 Freewriting
2 Questioning
3 List making

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THE

This presentation should be viewed in “Slide Show” view to display properly.

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Writing a paper is a process. Even professional writers

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

In addition to showing you the five steps, this lesson will

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

1 Using Freewriting to Develop a Paragraph

Freewriting is just sitting down and writing whatever

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Here is the assignment we’ll use to illustrate the strategy

Write a paragraph that supports the following main idea:

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Step 1 Getting Started through Prewriting

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Notice that there are mistakes with spelling, grammar, and

You should take the same approach when freewriting:

Step 2 Prepare a Scratch Outline

Your freewriting will eventually help you figure out

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Step 3 Write the First Draft

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Here are the first few sentences of Victor’s first draft.

As you can see, Victor has not worried about spelling

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Step 4 Revise and Edit

If possible, you should put your paper aside for a while

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

When you revise, try to do all of the following:

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Look again at the first few sentences of Victor’s first draft.

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Now look at first few sentences of the paragraph that Victor

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

He has also added details as needed to make sure he has

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

He has also added details as needed to make sure he has

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Victor has also used addition words to signal to the reader

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

He has also included a final “caboose” sentence that rounds

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Step 5 Read the Paper Aloud

Always proofread a paper by reading it out loud. Make

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Step 5 Read the Paper Aloud

This point is so important that it bears repeating:

To help find mistakes in your paper, read it out loud!

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

2 Using Questions to Develop a Paragraph

You’ve just seen the prewriting strategy of freewriting.

Your purpose in the paragraph is to provide specific

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Here is the assignment we’ll use to illustrate the strategy

Write a paragraph that supports the following main idea:

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Step 1 Getting Started through Prewriting

Your questions can start with words like what, when,

Copyright © 2013 Townsend Press. All rights reserved.

Step 2 Prepare a Scratch Outline