1. Drafting Unit Four
Part One:
Definition of “Good Writing”

2. Mini-Peer Review: Outlines
 Are there enough subject headings?
 Do the headings make sense?
 Are they arranged in a logical order?
 Are there enough scholars listed under each heading?
 Does each heading have scholars from more than
one unit?
 Is the student making lots of connections--and not
just the most obvious ones?
 Are there connections between scholars that they
could add?

3. Drafting
 Choose a section heading to work on.
 Write a topic sentence that gives an
overview of the section.
 Example: “A well-written paper is the
product of a ‘good writer.’”
 Section: “Good Writing” Comes from
“Good” Writers

4. Drafting
 Add evidence (from scholars)
 Context:
 “A good writer is able to differentiate between the
multiple ‘rules’ and determine which rules to use and
which rules to disregard.”
 Evidence:
 “As Mike Rose explains, ‘blockers’ use the rules of
writing as algorithms (229). Algorithms are rigid rules in
which a specific input always has a specific output (Rose
222). Rose states that the ‘non-blockers’ used the rules
of writing as heuristics, or guidelines (229).”
 Analysis:
 “An efficient and good writer uses rules as heuristics
because it allows them to throw out rules that don't
apply to the specific situation.”

5. Drafting
 Add more evidence. MAKE CONNECTIONS.
 Context:
 “It is important to be able to determine which rules are functional
and which rules aren't.”
 Evidence:
 “Joseph M. Williams states that ‘We need not believe that just
because a rule of grammar finds its way into some handbook of
usage, we have to honor it’ (97). Williams defines four possible
responses to discourse. Option one, a rule is violated and there is
no response. Option two, a rule is not violated and there is no
response. Option three, a rule is violated and there is a response.
Finally, option four a rule is not violated and there is no response
(96).”
 Analysis:
 “The writing process is so complex that it cannot be broken down
into one simple set of rules that must apply in every situation.”

6. Drafting
 Keep adding evidence
(context/evidence/analysis) until the end of
the section.
 At the end of the section, sum everything up
and return to your argument.
 Example: “A good writer must be able to consider
all rules, determine which ones fit into their
individual writing process and best convey their
message to their intended audience.”
 Repeat this entire process for each section.

7. Introduction
 Use Swales again!
 Establish territory
 Establish niche
 Occupy niche
 Don’t forget this is a letter; it should
start, “Dear Ms. Wayne,” or “Hey Ms.
Wayne, what’s up?” or something
comparable.

8. Establish your territory
 Dear Ms. Wayne,
Good writing can be defined in many different
ways. Over the last semester, I have been striving
to find an answer to “what is good writing?" I
have discovered that there are many correct
answers to this question. Each person has a
different answer based on their past experiences.
A very common definition of good writing is “a
well-structured essay with good grammar and
spelling.”
 (Hint: it might help you to look back at what you posted on
Facebook at the beginning of the semester: what did you used
to think good writing was?)

9. Establish and occupy
your niche
 However, I see these qualities as
secondary.
 To me, good writing is the ability to
effectively communicate a point to the
intended audience.
 (might want to be more specific than this,
especially if you have multiple subject headings)