My Writing LifeBrandi BoersmaAP Language

Pre-Writing

•Get distractions out of way▫Already check my

facebook▫Do easier

homework first▫Eat▫Sleep▫Pee

Setting the Mood ;)

•Get comfortable ▫Warm temperature▫Body position▫Clothes▫Hair out of face▫Distanced from work

watchers•Grab a pencil and paper• If there is criteria, grab

that info

Pre-Brainstorming• Type ▫ What kind of paper

am I writing?• Audience ▫ Who am I writing this

paper to/for?• Main Idea ▫ What subjects should

be written about?▫ Length of paper?

Nonfiction; Research Paper

GVSU Honors College Application

Anything with factsA few pages, minimum

Initial Brainstorming

• Jot down ideas▫Ideas from past▫Relevant topics▫Areas of interest▫Something I’ve

been wondering about

•Branch off details

PovertyBicyclesCollegeHiccupsAlcoholism

Eliminating Ideas

•Which meets criteria best?▫Enough details without missing information▫Would I be interested in writing this▫Would my audience be interested in reading

this?▫Not overdone/cliché▫Can I tie this into ______(insert points to include,

people/ideas to compare, etc)▫Does this make sense?▫Will I change my mind on this subject later?▫Do I include all sides of argument if persuasive.

Final DecisionFinal Decision

•Create outlines •Questions▫Details to include?▫Order of events?▫ Interesting and unique?▫Achieves purpose/goal?▫ Includes everything?▫ I feel good about idea.

•Which is best?

Pre-Introduction

•How should I sound?▫Intelligent▫Humorous▫Informal

•What to include?▫Personal stories▫Vocabulary words

▫Personality

IntelligentFormalAs myself

PersonalityIntelligent words and/or phrases

Introduction•How should I start?▫ Interesting fact▫Definition▫One word sentence

•Build from initial broad statement▫Narrow in▫Introduce topic with

an overview▫Don’t ridiculously

obviously state thesis

•Connect the dots

Interesting fact:A pig farmer named Charles Osborne holds the world’s longest record of hiccups—almost 70 continuous years!

Introduction to hiccups-What are they-The causes-The process-How have hiccups mattered?

Take Quick Break

• Grab a snack• Facebook pitstop• Potty Break• Read and edit for little

details and mistakes• Feeling okay about this?▫ If not, refer back to

second and third choice ▫Brainstorm, start over

BodyFirst Paragraph

• Allow some distractions▫Quiet music▫Facebook ▫Texting

• Refer to outline▫ Logical timeline▫ Flow

• Details • Consciousness of flow• Edit paragraph by

paragraph• Connect the Dots

Mini historical timeline

Ends in 3 types today

Description and examples of types

No cure, at home remedies, end on their own

BodyThe “In-between” Paragraphs•Refer to outline• Things are still going well?▫Best order?▫Anything to add?▫Do I sound how I want

to?▫Going in right direction?

• Look up interesting facts •Address opposition•Connect the Dots

Hiccup demographics

Hiccup speed

Hiccups in interesting places

Hiccups bad/annoying

Conclusion•Refer to outline•Missing links?•Criteria met?•Points to recap•Attempt some major

WOW statement as final sentence▫Usually fail.

•Connect the Dots

Bibliography

Hiccups not so bad

“The hiccup is simply a friendly reminder that you’re alive, and what a good reminder that is.”

Final Editing• Reread aloud as whole ▫edit

• Break!• Peer edit aloud• Break!• Fix peer edit• Reread as whole▫additional editing

• Get it out of sight and thought Editing

Pal

DONE.