Effective Writing
What does it look like?
By Dr. Bernice Parrott

There is no step-by-step
instructional approach for
effective writing!

The Writing Process
Although we cannot provide step-by-step
directions that will always result in an
effective piece of writing, we can provide
some guidance in the general aspects of
the process. Today we are going to work
through the writing process. What are
the steps of the Writing Process?

Word Splash
Tell me some words that you think of when
you think of the writing process.

The Writing Process
Editing
Revising
Writing a
rough draft
Outlining a
structure of
ideas
Prewriting
1-5

Prewriting
• Prewriting techniques used when initially deciding on
a topic:
– Using experience and observations
– Reading
– Freewriting
– Asking questions
• A good topic not only covers what an assignment will
be about but also fits the assignment’s purpose and
its audience
– Purpose: The reason(s) why a writer creates a document
– Audience: The individual(s) or group(s) whom the writer
intends to address

Choosing a Topic
• When selecting a topic, consider
something that interests you or
something based on your own life and
personal experiences
• Different kinds of documents can help
you choose a topic and also develop that
topic
• After you choose a topic, critical reading
is essential to the development of a topic

The following prewriting techniques can
help narrow the focus of the topic:
– Brainstorming: A prewriting strategy similar
to list making
• Writers start with a general category and list
specific items that fall into the category
– Idea mapping: A prewriting strategy in which
writers cluster ideas on paper using circles,
lines, and arrows
– Searching the Internet
• Writers use search engines not only to understand
more about the topic’s specific issues but also to
get better acquainted with their audience

Idea Map

Other Ideas for Generating Ideas
Choose from a list of pre-selected topics.
Provide a list of story starters.
Choose a photo or picture from a magazine to
stimulate writing.
Let the students choose the surface on which they
wish to write.
Research a topic and write a report or research
report on the topic.
Note: Choice is important.

Planning
• Decide on one main point
• State a thesis -- a sentence that presents
the controlling idea of an essay
• Make sure each paragraph has a topic
sentence that relates to the thesis or main
idea of the paper

Outlining
• When you write, you need to organize
your ideas in an order that makes sense
• Order refers to your choice of what to
present first, second, third, and so on in
your writing
– The order you pick closely relates to your
purpose for writing that particular
assignment

Methods of Organizing
• A method of organization that arranges ideas
Chronological according to time
Order
• A method of organization that arranges ideas
Spatial Order according to physical characteristics or appearance
• A method of organization that arranges ideas
Order of according to their significance
Importance

Order versus Purpose
Chronological Order
• To explain the history of an event or a topic
• To tell a story or relate an experience
• To explain how to do or make something
• To explain the steps in a process
Spatial Order
• To help readers visualize something as you want them to see it
• To create a main impression using the senses (sight, touch, taste,
smell, and sound)
Order of Importance
• To persuade or convince
• To rank items by their importance, benefit, or significance

Drafting
• The stage of the writing process in which the writer
develops a complete first version of a piece of
writing
• The following approaches, done alone or in
combination with others, may improve your writing
and help you move forward in the writing process:
– Begin writing with the part you know the most about
– Write one paragraph at a time and then stop
– Take short breaks to refresh your mind
– Be reasonable with your goals
– Keep your audience and purpose in mind as you write -
Most important

Drafting
• Start and restart
• Build paragraphs
• Open and conclude
• Create coherence

Paragraph Building
• Topic sentences make the structure of a
text and the writer’s basic arguments
easy to locate and comprehend
• The paragraph is the main structural
component of an essay as well as other
forms of writing
• The paragraph should be long enough for
you to address your points and explain
your main idea

Hamburger Paragraphs and Essays

Developing
• Explain and support
• Add definitions, details, and examples
• Supply evidence such as facts, statistics,
expert testimony, and observations

Revising
• When you revise, you take a second look at your
ideas
– Revise: To examine a piece of writing for clarity of ideas
• When you edit, you take a second look at how you
expressed your ideas
– Edit: To examine a piece of writing for how the writer
expressed his or her ideas
• Unity: A quality in which all the ideas in a paragraph
and in the entire essay clearly belong and are
arranged in an order that makes logical sense
• Coherence: A quality in which the wording of an
work clearly indicates how one idea leads to another
within a paragraph and from paragraph to paragraph

Revising and Editing
• Careful writers use transitions to clarify
how the ideas in their sentences and
paragraphs are related
– Transitions: Words and phrases that show
how the ideas in sentences and paragraphs
are related
• Eliminating wordiness helps all readers
because it makes your ideas clear, direct,
and straightforward

Revising
• Did you achieve your purpose?
• Is your paper appropriate for the audience?
• Does your paper have structure?

Editing
Content and Organization
• All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way.
• The content is comprehensive, accurate, and /or persuasive.
• The paper develops a central theme or idea, directed toward the
appropriate audience.
• The paper links theory to relevant examples of current experience and
industry practice and uses the vocabulary of the theory correctly.
• Major points are stated clearly; are supported by specific details,
examples, or analysis; and are organized logically.
• The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and
previews major points.
• The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper, and reviews
the major points.

Readability and Style
• The tone is appropriate to the content
and assignment.
• Sentences are complete, clear, and
concise.
• Sentences are well-constructed, with
consistently strong, varied sentences.

Mechanics
• The paper, including the title page, reference
page, tables, and appendices, follow APA
guidelines for format.
• Citations of original works within the body of the
paper follow APA guidelines or other designated
guidelines.
• The paper is laid out with effective use of
headings, font styles, and white space.
• Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are
followed.
• Spelling is correct.

Now, let’s practice!
Generating Ideas
• Brainstorm some topics for a paragraph.
• Choose the topic about which you wish to
write.
Planning
• Think about what your topic sentence will be.
• Plan your supporting details.

Drafting and Developing
• Draft your paragraph.
• Now, read your paragraph and see if you
can add any more details.
• Add a conclusion.

Revising
• Share your paragraphs.
• Give each other ideas for improving your
paragraphs.
Editing
• Use the Proofreading and Editing Checklist
to Correct Your Paragraph.

Publish and Celebrate
• When your paragraph is finished, you
may want to illustrate it, publish it in an
email, on Facebook, or in some other
way.
• Celebrate your success!

Summarize Your Learning
• What are the steps of the writing process?
• Which one do you think is most important?
• Why do you think as you do?
• Could you add to your paragraph to develop
an essay on the topic?
• How is an essay like a paragraph?

Assessment
• How do
you access
writing?
• How are
rubrics
Helpful?

Lesson Planning
What are the elements of an effective lesson?
• Essential Question(s) (What are the key
questions to be answered in the lesson?)
• Activating Thinking Strategies (Word Maps,
Word Splashes, Vocabulary, Quick Internet
Search)
• Acceleration Strategies (Focus on Content)

Lesson Planning
• Teaching Strategies (graphic organizers, group
discussions, collaborative teams, etc.)
• Prompts (Distributed guided practice and
summarizing)
• Summarizing Strategies (Ticket out the door
Answer the essential questions.)

Final Steps in the Process
• Extending/Refining Activity (Thinking
skills and writing prompts)
• Assignment and/or Assessment
• Re-Teaching Focus and Strategy

Unit Planning
• Topic
• Essential Questions
• Major Concepts and Skills (Create a content
map.)
• Steps
• Performance/Product or Project that is the
Culminating Activity
• Student Assignments for Culminating Activity

• Paragraph Description of the Culminating
Activity
• Steps or Task Analysis of the Culminating
Activity
• Culminating Activity Rubric

• Launch Activity
1. How will you create interest?
(motivational activity)
2. How will you link knowledge? (cognitive
activity)
3. How will you preview the content map?
4. How will you preview major vocabulary?

Acquisition Lessons and Activities
You must have at least one lesson or
activity for each essential question.

Extending/Refining Lessons and
Activities
Hint: Most important essential questions should
have thinking skills activities.
Cause/Effect Compare/Contrast
Constructing Support Classifying Error Analysis
Justification Induction Example to Idea
Deduction Evaluation Idea to Example
Abstracting Analyzing Perspectives
Writing Prompts

What Resources or Materials will
be needed for this unit?

Celebration
How will you celebrate learning?

Additional Comments, Decisions, and Questions

Process is important in writing and in
planning lessons and units!