Writing a college essay can be a very difficult task. However, there are techniques to help make this task easier. The writing process is a three stage approach to planning and creating a college essay. These stages are known as prewriting, writing, and revising. If a student follows this process, one will write a good paper.
The first stage of the writing process is called prewriting. There are four prewriting techniques that help writers to understand the topic and purpose of the writing assignment. The techniques are brainstorming, diagramming, making a list, and preparing an outline. In brainstorming, you generate ideas for your writing. A writer might write their impressions, or write a list of ideas for an essay. It helps you to get a clearer picture of what you are trying you say. Diagramming is helpful for people who think in a visual way. One can put your idea in a circle and branch off examples. The other technique is making a list. One list as many items it can that has a relation to your topic. Their goal is to make details and to gather as much material as possible so you have something to start with when you go to write your paper. The last technique is preparing an outline. The thesis statement is clearly stated on the outline and a specific outline format. Outlining gives you a sense of organization and allows you to see quickly if you have enough support for your ideas. After if one is done with prewriting, one moves on to the next step.
The second stage for the writing process is called writing. In the writing phase, you make decisions about developing and organizing your ideas into writing and discover what you know about the subject. Insights gained from the prewriting phase help shape ideas into meaning for yourself and others. One may prepare a rough draft, focusing on the purpose of the writing and choosing a suitable form for a specific audience. You need a thesis to work with first. The thesis will be your guide while you write your essay. An effective thesis statement should not be an obvious opinion that every reader already shares and focuses on an idea that can be supported evidence rather than emotion.
The third stage of the writing process is called revising. One clarifies and refines their writing in thesis stage. After one has finished one draft of the essay, they should begin revising your paper. Revising might involve change the written expression, so that it clearly conveys the ideas, sentences to create and effect, and inserting punctuation and correcting spelling to assist the reader. Two examples of revising are editing and proofreading. When one edits your paper, one is looking for mistakes in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and usage. Proofreading comes after one edit in the final copy for any mistakes in typing or handwriting. Revising might also involve redrafting.
As you can clearly see, the writing process is a three step approach that makes writing easier. If you follow these steps, you should be able to write a good college essay.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Writing a college essay
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I agree with everything you've written here. Writing has to involve ALL of these steps if it's going to be successful.
ReplyDeleteThere's one thing I'd add. That is: There's not much ORDER to these steps. Actually most writers switch back and forth between all three steps all the time. It's usually best not to force it...