A reader may not have experienced similar life circumstances as yours, but that doesn’t mean the reader won’t be able to identify emotionally with what you and your characters go through
Empathy is human nature. Even though someone may not be able to fully reflect on your words from a personal experience, they can identify how they'd feel if they were in your shoes.
When writing a personal narrative for class, first consider the prompt your teacher assigned you. Then, freewrite about topics that are of general interest to you
Ensure your writing matches the prompts or expectations you're writing for.
The intended effect of creative writing differs depending on the writer’s goals.
Identifying which route of creative writing you're trying to execute is key.
Creative writing can take place in a variety of forms: poems, short stories, memoirs, novels, and even song lyrics.
Creative writing takes many different forms.
After you choose a topic, critical reading is essential to the development of a topic. While reading almost any document, evaluate the author’s point of view by thinking about his/her main idea and support. When you judge the author’s argument, you discover more about not only the author’s opinion but also your own. If this step already seems daunting, remember that even the best writers need to use prewriting strategies to generate ideas.
Critical Thinking is really important at this stage. To develop a topic you need to understand your POV.
Although you might think editing and proofreading aren’t necessary since you were fairly careful when you were writing, the truth is that even the brightest people and best writers make mistakes when they write.
Even the best writers make mistakes they don't notice until the very end during the proof reading stages.
Finally, avoid ending a paper with new ideas or a thesis you have not already supported or explained in the paper. Remember, a conclusion is meant to reiterate the paper’s main argument and then return the thesis to the larger issue the paper is addressing and should not present any new arguments or topics in the process
Don't start a new idea at the end of your assignment!
After doing all this by yourself, seek help from others. First, find an individual who knows about the assignment, your intended audience, and the purpose of the essay. This person is likely one of your peers who has participated in class. Then, share the paper with someone who fits the description of the audience for whom the document is intended. Ask your readers if everything is clear and easily understood, if phrases are worded correctly, if the document is logically sound, etc. If you have other specific concerns — Is the second example effective? Does my conclusion resolve the paper nicely? — ask your readers to direct their attention to those issues.
Find a reader to digest your thoughts and words and provide feedback on where you can improve during the revision process.
Writers should note that revising, editing, and proofreading are considerably different processes.
3 different parts of the end goal of revision.
successful writers rely on revising as an integral part of the writing process, and it is important for authors to spend the majority of their time revising their texts. Revising and editing are two separate processes that are often used interchangeably by novice writers. Revising requires a significant alteration in a piece of writing, such as enriching the content, or giving the piece clarity; editing, however, is not as involved and includes fixing typos and grammatical errors. Although editing can be a part of this process, revising generally involves changes that concern bigger issues, such as content and organization. While revising, a writer might notice that one idea needs to be developed more thoroughly and another idea omitted. The writer might decide that rearranging paragraphs will provide clarity and support for their argument, strengthening the paper as a whole. Writers should also change grammar and punctuation while revising, but if that is all they are doing, then they are simply editing.
Revising is a key part of the writing process that is more in depth than just fixing grammar. Once you improve your ideas, structure and the clarity, you have effectively revised.
Two Formulas for Paragraph Structure We have looked at the basic parts of your essay, and now we have a sample formula to help you expand your ideas about your evidence. Between the Introduction (and thesis) and the Conclusion (and reflection on the thesis) comes the body of the essay. For your essay’s body to be solid and focused, it needs to have clear, well-developed paragraphs. Even paragraphs need to have a beginning, middle, and end. To help you think about paragraph organization, think about TEAR: T = Topic Sentence This is like a little thesis for your paragraph. It tells the reader what that paragraph is all about. If your reader were only to read the topic sentences in your essay, he/or she should have a general idea of what you’re talking about. Of course, he/she can’t get a complete picture unless you provide… E = Evidence This is the “how do you know?” part of your paragraph. Evidence comes from the real world. You may present your evidence in the form of statistics, direct quotes, summaries, or paraphrases from a source, or your own observations. Evidence is available to us all. What your reader needs is for you to make sense of that evidence so that s/he understands what all this has to do with your thesis or claim. That is why you provide… A = Analysis This is the ‘so what?’ part of your paragraph. You say what is important and why. This isn’t just personal taste or opinion. You have to provide good reasons to support your conclusions. And just to make sure you’re still on track, you… R = Reflection This sentence concludes the paragraph and relates to the topic sentence and the thesis. Ideally, it should also prepare us for the next paragraph.
T.E.A.R = paragraph organization
Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements The societal and personal struggles of Troy Maxon in the play “Fences” symbolize the challenge of black males who lived through segregation and integration in the United States. Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet spoils the outcome for the audience and weakens the plot. J. D. Salinger’s character in Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, is a confused rebel who voices his disgust with phonies, yet in an effort to protect himself, he acts like a phony on many occasions. Compared to an absolute divorce, no-fault divorce is less expensive, promotes fairer settlements, and reflects a more realistic view of the causes for marital breakdown. Exposing children from an early age to the dangers of drug abuse is a sure method of preventing future drug addicts. In a crumbling job market, a high school diploma is not significant enough education to land a stable, lucrative job. Examples of Weak Thesis Statements Now that you have read about the contents of a good thesis statement and have seen examples, take a look at the pitfalls to avoid when composing your own thesis: A thesis is weak when it is simply a declaration of your subject or a description of what you will discuss in your essay. Avoid creating an announcement. Weak thesis statement: My paper will explain why imagination is more important than knowledge. A thesis is weak when it makes an unreasonable or outrageous claim or insults the opposing side. Weak thesis statement: Religious radicals across America are trying to legislate their Puritanical beliefs by banning required high school books. A thesis is weak when it contains an obvious fact or something that no one can disagree with or provides a dead end. Weak thesis statement: Advertising companies use sex to sell their products. A thesis is weak when the statement is too broad. Weak thesis statement: The life of Abraham Lincoln was long and challenging.
Annotating this for myself later to review - great examples of weak vs strong thesis statements.
After developing an outline, a good next step is refining your thesis statement. The textbook Successful Writing explains that writers need a thesis statement to provide a specific focus for their essay and to organize what they will discuss in the body of their writing. A thesis statement is an argumentative central claim in a paper; the entire paper is focused on demonstrating that claim as a valid perspective. Your thesis statement should be in your introduction because you must make sure that the audience is aware of your paper’s intent so that there is clarity from the outset. Consider placing the thesis toward the bottom of your introduction. This allows you a few sentences to introduce the concept and prepare the reader for your purpose
A thesis statement is important because it helps focus the main idea, organizes what you will discuss, and ensures the purpose is made clear to the reader.
Organizing Ideas
Organizing your ideas is important for a streamlined paper. Ensuring you know what is first, second, third, etc, is key to a cohesive and coherent writing assignment. Regardless of the length, genre, etc, the need to have organized thoughts is essential.
When selecting a topic, you may also want to consider something that interests you or something based on your own life and personal experiences. Even everyday observations can lead to interesting topics. After writers think about their experiences and observations, they often take notes on paper to better develop their thoughts. These notes help writers discover what they have to say about their topic.
Being able to empathize with the subject you're trying to write about can be enhanced by your own experiences and thoughts on them. Observations and point of views are great starting points to write something interesting and engaging.
These are the five most common steps in the writing process: Prewriting Outlining the structure of ideas Writing a rough draft Revising Editing
Common steps to ensure you have an effective writing process.
But don’t take our word for it. Each instructor is different. For that reason, if you have questions about the purpose of an assignment, raise your hand in class and ask. Chances are someone else is thinking the same question
When in doubt, ask.
If an assignment asks you to summarize, you will know that your teacher wants to make sure you comprehend the material, and the teacher would like you to re-state a text’s main ideas in your own words. If you see a verb like evaluate, rate or assess, you will know that your instructor expects you to write evaluative paragraphs. There aren’t many synonyms for synthesis in an assignment prompt. If your teacher asks you to synthesize in writing, you can expect that they would like you to use multiple sources and discuss them together, how they relate to one another, and how they relate to your ideas and claims in an essay. If your teacher asks you to examine, interpret, consider, or investigate a piece of writing, chances are they would like to see you writing analytical paragraphs.
Finding the purpose of the assignment will help you execute the goals from the coursework/instructor.
Set due dates for the stage of your writing process, for example when you would like to pick a topic and complete your rough draft. Procrastination rarely results in a good paper.
Organizing yourself and setting expectations for the timeline in which you're writing is important. Procrastination will only hinder your writing.
Don’t play a guessing game when it comes to tackling assignment criteria–ask the right person for help: the instructor. Discuss any and all questions with the person who assigned the work, either in person or via email. Visit him or her during office hours or stay after class. Do not wait until the last minute, as doing so puts your grade at risk. Don’t be shy about asking your professors questions.
It's better to be safe than sorry! You don't want to guess yourself into a grade or a higher education. It's okay to ask questions to your peers or even your instructor.
regardless of genre, one can use some basic strategies to approach these assignments constructively.
You can utilize basic strategies to complete many different writing assignments, regardless of the genre or expectations.
That process works for her; however, that process might not work for you.
Every writer is different, therefore, every writing process can be different. Finding what works best for you is key.
An important part of developing academic writing skills includes developing your own writing process. Your writing process includes all the steps you take from the time you receive a writing prompt to the time that you turn in a final draft for a grade.
To have a solid grasp in academic writing, one must develop and master an effective writing process.
The power of simple words – Terin Izil
Wordiness was not needed in any of the examples. $10 words equate to 0 if not written for the right audience. Sometimes straight and to the point is most effective.
Which example has a more formal voice or academic style? Which one would you want to read further? Keep in mind that voice is not something you can automatically create. There are times when you may be tempted to use unusual syntax or fancy vocabulary in the hopes of making your writing stand out, but that would not be your genuine style. There are no quick ways to give yourself a recognizable voice; it is something that can only be developed over time. The best way to develop voice is to keep writing and to think about what kind of writing you like. Pay attention to how you speak — what words you use, what sorts of phrases and sentence structures you favor, even what kind of punctuation appears in your work frequently. These are the choices that will eventually become markers of your authority.
Bill O'Reilly had more of an auhoritative tone. It was harder to follow and a bit boring. Jon Stewart, being a comedian by trade, has a way with engaging the audience and making them laugh in an authentic way. That rapport by Jon, allows him to pull the audience emotionally and then logically, which Bill just didn't have the ability to do. I prefer Jon Stewarts words, tone, delivery, and message more so than Bills.
As a writer, it is important to know your audience and to consider which content will be appropriate for that audience
Knowing what your target audience is looking to digest can help guide you on the appropriate content that you need to share.
Content is also shaped by tone. When the tone matches the content, the audience will be more engaged, and you will build a stronger relationship with your readers.
Tone can shape how a reader engages with your writing. Once tone and content are aligned, it's easier for the reader to build rapport with the writer.
For example, you update your status on a social networking site with the awareness of who will digitally follow the post. If you want to brag about a good grade, you may write the post to please family members. If you want to describe a funny moment, you may write with your friends’ senses of humor in mind. Even at work, you send e-mails with an awareness of an unintended receiver who could intercept the message.
As a generation that is engulfed in social media, we often are posting to gain engagement from our friends, followers, and the general public. This same concept is seen in work related scenarios where written word is needed to effectively communicate.
Although the audience for writing assignments—your readers—may not appear in person, they play a vital role in the development of your writing
Even though a reader may not be in person, their perspective, opinion, and experience, holds high value in one's writing.
It balances the busyness of our lives with reflection. It encourages us to put our ideas on paper so we are taking our first step toward action. It helps us focus on constructive, creative, and exciting pursuits, and we are freed from needless worry.
Brainstorming benefits.
Using experience and observations Reading Free-writing Asking questions
Great starting points when you begin prewriting
Prewriting is the first stage of the writing process, typically followed by drafting, revision, editing, and publishing
First stage of the writing process
your primary comprehension goal is to identify the main point: the most important idea that the writer wants to communicate and often states early on.
To ensure comprehension, identifying the main point of the reading material is necessary.
Reflect – You should go through what you read and try to answer the questions you noted before during the pre-reading stage. Check in after every section, chapter or topic to make sure you understand the material and can explain it, in your own words. Pretend you are responsible for teaching this section to someone else. Can you do it? It’s at this stage that you consolidate knowledge, so refrain from moving on until you can recall the core information.
Reflecting on the material you read is important to ensure you retained the information you just digested.
Planning strategies.To help you manage your reading assignments before you begin reading. Active Reading strategies.To help you understand the material while you read. Application strategies. To solidify your understanding at a higher and deeper level after you finish reading.
These 3 strategies are important to develop strong reading skills.
A discourse community is a group of people who share basic values and assumptions and ways of communicating their goals. In the academic world, discourse communities are usually defined by field and subfield. That means that the discourse community of geology represents the common scholarly conversation that takes place among geologists. If an audiologist entered into their conversation (or picked up one of their journals), it’s likely that many of the terms and concepts would be unfamiliar, and a geologist would have the same problems in a conversation about audiology. Entering your academic discourse community and learning about its conventions is the first step to becoming a successful college student.
Finding the discourse community that matches the academic discourse you're learning is key.
Regardless of your field of study, honing your writing skills—plus your reading and critical-thinking skills—will help you build a solid academic foundation.
Writing, reading, and critical thinking skills are major pillars in building a solid foundation in your education.
We believe it shouldn’t cost money to learn how to write, and that is why we are making this book available to you.
Education shouldn't cost someone a leg and an arm, this resource allows everyone to be able to learn how to write.