Writing HelpProcess & Content Development

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Important Resources Perdue OWL Lab   |

On Essay Writing

Use MLA , APA, or CMS style

if you’re citing outside information.

CSU Fresno ARC SystemWriting Process and Content Development with “Thesis Builder”

Grammar, Mechanics, Style

Juliet’s Resources Page

Proofreading Marks : www.julietdavis.com/proofreadingmarks.pdf Grammar Tips: www.julietdavis.com/grammartips.pdf Style Tips (“Words to Avoid”)www.julietdavis.com/wordstoavoid.pdfVisual Analysis Language Tipswww.julietdavis.com/visualanalysislanguagetips.pdf

Slickwrite.com Is free software that marks your writing style.

Writing Process

What steps are involved in the writing process?

Brainstorming (listing, mind-mapping) Freewriting (the biggest mistake students make is to submit a paper

in the freewriting or drafting phase, which usually results in a failing paper).

Organizing (doesn’t have to be a formal outline)

Thesis Statement: Develop a thesis statement as a starting point for drafting and organizing.

Drafting (Rearranging and adding ideas;rewriting major areas)

Revising (rewriting for clarity and style--most time spent writing is revising)

Editing (for grammar, spelling, mechanics) Proofread ALOUD with a second person. Writing takes A LOT of time.

1. Brainstorming

Mind-mapping a Topic

Image Source: CSU Fresno

2. Freewriting

Feel free to bounce ideas off your friends and your professor at any time during the writing process.

3. Organizing Thesis Statement New research indicates teenagers’ health and fitness needs are not being met.

- Support Point #1: Teens are not getting enough sleep—and school schedules can be the main problem. (collect all related material--freewriting, notes, resources, statistics, web sites, etc., relating to each support point)

- Support Point #2Teens are not getting the exercise they need—and once again, school regimens can be the problem. When children are young, we force them to “sit still” in school and learn how to be sedentary—then we tell adults they’re not “active” enough. (Cite research and solutions.)

- Support Point #3: Much has been written about the problem of obesity today (e.g., _____), but the solutions typically suggested may not be helpful, particularly when unhealthy foods are being government subsidized and healthy foods are so expensive for middle and working class families.

4. Drafting/Rewriting Start in the middle,

not the intro. Write

rearrange, add, delete.

Typically, studentsneed 3-4 draftsof a short essay over a periodof days.

Save versionsas you go.

“Writing is Rewriting”--Richard North Patterson

5. Editing for Grammar & Style

Grammar Tips: www.julietdavis.com/grammartips.pdf

Style Tips (“Words to Avoid”)www.julietdavis.com/wordstoavoid.pdf

See Saunders Writing Center for help.

Feel free to share a strong draft with your professor for feedback any time, in office or in email.

6. Proofreading ALOUD

Final Edits Sleep on it,

read it again, make final edits.

GradingRubric

Criteria Excellent/Outstanding

Average Below Average

Content The paper demonstrates exceptional understanding of subject matter, highly insightful critical analysis, complex ideas and rhetoric. The paper pushes dialogue beyond predictable fare and could be interesting to a larger audience.

The paper demonstrates strong understanding of subject matter, fairly insightful critical analysis, and some complexity in ideas and rhetoric. The paper is fairly predictable in its points, but solid.

The paper may reflect misconceptions about the subject matter, lack critical analysis in favor of overly simplistic summaries/descriptions, and/or be overly simplistic in its ideas and rhetoric. 

Structure,Organization

The paper is strongly structured. For example, conventionally structured essays contain an engaging introduction and clear thesis statement. Each body paragraph presents a main idea that supports the thesis statement and is well supported by evidence/examples. The paper’s conclusion is not merely redundant but reflects thoughtfully on the topic that has unfolded. Unconventionally structured essays utilize creative alternatives to advance a main idea, but the ideas can be clearly followed.

The paper is fairly well structured but shows some weaknesses. For example, the introduction and/or conclusion may be perfunctory rather than particularly engaging. A thesis statement is clear. Body paragraphs are fairly well organized and supported but perhaps could be more so. Unconventionally structured essays may appear to be a bit disorganized rather than easy to follow.

The paper needs structure. For example, there may be no clear thesis—or the thesis may be hard to find. Body paragraph(s) may not have clear main ideas or be strategically organized to advance the thesis statement. A conclusion may need more substantive ideas or may not be present. Unconventionally structured essays may be hard to follow.

Clarity, Coherency

Ideas are clearly developed and thoroughly explained. One idea flows eloquently to the next, with clear transitions as needed. The paper stays on topic.

Most ideas are clearly developed and thoroughly explained. Some could be more so. Ideas may be a bit disjointed or need transitions to eloquently flow.

More clarity and/or coherency is needed. For example, a substantial number of ideas need to be more clearly explained and/or need to flow much more clearly and smoothly into others. The paper may stray from topic.

Language, Style, Grammar, Mechanics, Spelling

The writing is flawless in its grammar, mechanics--and adept in its use of language and vocabulary. Language is precise, concise, vivid, engaging. Sentence structures are varied and eloquent.

The paper is fairly solid in language, grammar, mechanics, and spelling. Vocabulary may be average rather than particularly adept. Language may demonstrate some redundancy, unfounded generalizations, and/or vagueness. Sentence structures may be somewhat redundant and/or ineligant.

The paper reflects substantial need for improvement in style, grammar, mechanics, and/or spelling.

Format MLA format is used. Outside resources (if assigned/referenced) are properly cited and effectively incorporated to advance the student’s own ideas. Seehttp://owl.english.purdue.edu.

MLA format is used. Outside resources (if assigned/referenced) are properly cited; however, they could be utilized more appropriately/effectively.

Errors in MLA format impede readability. Outside resources may not be properly cited and/or need to be incorporated into the text more effectively.

Image source: http://humansareweird.com/2013/02/25/how-much-should-a-writer-write

ContentDevelopment

Introduce the topic. Give background needed.Identify the focus/purpose. State thesis.

Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence.

Examples:DescriptionNarrativeExplanationDefinitionclassificationComparison/ContrastFacts / Statistics

Revisit thesis. Apply to broader context.Don’t be redundant.Don’t open a new argument.

Introductions The intro is usually written last. Why? Usually begins with an attention-getting opening, such as

a question, statistic, anecdote, description, or surprising fact.

The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the introduction.

Intro often includes background information on a topic, author, or work.

Do not write just to take up space (that’s boring and irrelevant).

Image source: http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/czech-culture/dos-and-donts-introductions/

Opening Line Which of the following opening sentences are

effective and why? Why are the others not effective?

I went with my class to the Tampa Museum of Art to complete an assignment on analyzing art.

The Tampa Museum of Art exhibits many interesting works of art.

Artist Ella Tucker was born in 1953.

In 1953, before second-wave feminism had gained momentum, artist Ella Tucker began photographing women in domestic environments.

Introducing Interpretation Interpretations usually being with an

overview of the work to “ground” the reader.

Example: film reviews often begin with a brief statement about plot. “A priest’s faith is challenged when supernatural events visit a rural farm house.”

An art review might begin with brief description of content:“Fieldplay presents a field of yellow flowers under an azure sky.”

More detailed description and analysis of individual elements follow.

Thesis Statement

Which of the following is a thesis statement and why? Why wouldn’t the other ones work?

Different films have different meanings.

Many themes immerge in this film.

The set design and costume design support the theme of gender identity conflict.

This film was a box office success.

I found this film to be attention-getting.

This social issue has always been of interest to me.

What is a Topic Sentence? “Every paragraph should include a topic

sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph.” –Perdue OWL  

The topic sentence usually appears as the first sentence of the paragraph (helps the reader follow) but can appear elsewhere.

The topic sentence communicates the main point the writer is trying to make in the paragraph.

Example: THESIS STATEMENT

Set décor and location in M. Night Shyamalan’s film Signs support the theme of primitive human innovation versus high technology.

Support Point #1: The home décor in Signs underlines the conflict that develops when high-tech creatures overtake a rural environment. (notes on wallpaper design, curtains, glasses, dishes)

Support Point #2:The basement becomes a primitive cave-like dwelling for protecting the family against aliens. (Describe the scene.)

Support Point #3:Natural elements have surprising properties that fight the aliens. (Examples here.)

Conclusions The conclusion reminds us of the main idea of

the paper and applies it to broader contexts. (Example)

It’s not repetitive. It also doesn’t open a brand new argument.

First PersonProblems and Uses

About First Person

People often start freewriting using first person (that’s natural). It’s the equivalent of journaling to get your ideas flowing.

In the final version of your paper, only use first person if your personal experience is relevant to your interpretation.

Example: You are writing about strife in the Congo. You grew up in the Congo. You intend to disclose personal history in your essay and apply your experiences to your interpretation of a film or work of art.

Example of when NOT to use first person:“I went to the Tampa Museum of Art with my class and saw a painting that caught my attention.” (This story has no relevance, and the sentence gives us no information.)

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First Person Can OBSCURE Your Writing(i.e., get in the way)

EXAMPLE:

Before: I think the mood of this film is depressing. (This sounds like freewriting or journaling. Revise and describe.)

After: The dimly lit rooms and overcast skies feel depressing.

Do NOT merely change first person to passive voice

EXAMPLE:

Before: I think the mood of this film is depressing.

Bad Revision (passive voice)It could be thought that this film is depressing.

Descriptive Revision:The dimly lit rooms and overcast skies feel depressing.

Outside ResourcesProblems and Uses

Using Outside Resources Most of my assignments DISCOURAGE use of

outside resources. Focus on your own ideas about your topic or work you are interpreting.

However, if background information (history, biography, etc.) help to illuminate YOUR ideas, they can be used.

EXAMPLE of the difference: USEFUL: If you want to interpret a painting as an anti-war statement, then it might be helpful to know it was painted during the Vietnam War . NOT USEFUL: If the anti-war idea is someone else’s that you found on the Internet, it is not your idea and therefore is counterproductive to the assignment. At the very least, the source must be cited.

REMEMBER: Even if you use YOUR OWN WORDS to write about another author’s ideas, you must cite your source or it’s considered plagiarism.

Which of the following statements require a citation to an outside resource and why?

Persistence of Memory is a 1931 painting by Salvador Dali.

Dawn Ades believed that Dali’s soft watches were an unconscious symbol of the relativity of space and time.

As the painting was completed during the artist’s Freudian phase, the liquid watches could also reference a fear of impotence or castration.

The Salvador Dali Museum in Saint Petersburg, Florida, hosts more than 200.000 visitors per year.

Which of the following sources are credible and why? Why are the others not necessarily credible?

Peer-reviewed Academic Journal Article (e.g., found on Google Scholar)

WebMD Time Magazine The National Enquirer Wikipedia Blogs by unknown authors Blogs by expert authors who, themselves,

cite credible sources.

Questions?