1

Composition:

Some Key Concepts

2

Premises:

People learn to write by writing and by getting useful responses to their writing.There are many right ways to write right.Writing (like reading) is a process of making meaning.Writing processes change and are dependent on the task and the skills of the writer.

3

What Writers Need:

A clear sense of AUDIENCEA clear understanding of their PURPOSE(S) for writingAppropriate and sufficient CONTENT

2

4

Audience

Who is my writing for? (Who are my readers?)What do my readers know?What do my readers need to know?

5

Purpose

What am I trying to accomplish with this piece?1. to entertain?2. to describe?3. to explain?4. to define?5. to persuade?

6

Purpose con’t.

What do I want my reader to know?How do I want my reader to feel?What do I want my reader to do?

3

7

Appropriate and Sufficient Content

Are my examples and details suited to this particular purpose and audience?Do I know enough about my topic?How can I find out what I don’t know?

8

Write About Dogs!

9

What is good writing?What makes writing good?

Good writing is clear and interesting to its particular audienceGood writing successfully achieves its purpose(s)

4

10

Linda Flower

We need to move students fromWRITER-BASED PROSE

TO

READER-BASED PROSE

11

Terminology Used to Describe Writing Processes

Prewriting (or Invention)Writing (or Composing)RevisingEditing (or Polishing)Publishing

12

A Linear View of Composing

5

13

Composing is recursive—and messy!!

14

Composition Instruction Is Also a Recursive Process

Fluency

Form

Correctness