The document outlines the five key steps in the essay writing process: 1) Prewriting such as brainstorming topics, outlining ideas, and writing a thesis statement; 2) Writing including drafting the introduction, body, and conclusion; 3) Rewriting to refine the essay by removing or adding content; 4) Editing for spelling, grammar, and following assignment guidelines; and 5) Publishing by submitting the final essay on time and using feedback to improve future writing.

1. Essay writing: the steps in the
process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Prewriting
Writing
Rewriting
Editing
Publishing





planning it
writing it
revising/improving it
polishing/correcting it
turning it in
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2. Prewriting
1. Brainstorm topics and choose one
1. Listing
2. Freewriting
3. Web diagram
2. Prepare outline of ideas
3. Write thesis statement
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3. Example web
Webbing
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4. Example outline
Outlining
I.
A.
B.
C.
II.
III.
IV.
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5. Um, what’s a thesis statement?
• It is a road map for the paper; in other
words, it tells the reader what to expect
from the rest of the paper.
• It directly answers the question asked of
you. A thesis is an interpretation of a
question or subject, not the subject itself.
• It is usually a single sentence somewhere
in your first paragraph that presents your
argument to the reader.
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6. Writing
1. Write the body
1. Write the main points
2. Write the subpoints
3. Elaborate on the subpoints
2. Write the introduction
3. Write the conclusion
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7. Rewriting
• Allow some time so you may reread your
writing with more objectivity.
• Check your essay
–
–
–
–
Addresses the assignment?
Has good order/organization?
Makes sense?
Flows smoothly?
• Remove what doesn’t work, add ideas to
improve it, reorder for stronger impact, etc.
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8. Writing Center
Did you
use it?!
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9. Editing
• Run spelling checker and grammar
checker.
• Have a friend read it with an eye out for
errors.
• Look carefully for the kinds of error you
have made on past assignments; refer to
professor’s comments on previous essays.
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10. Publishing
• Turn it in on time!
• Consider submitting it for essay contests
or publication in appropriate journals. Ask
your professor about these opportunities.
• When you receive it with the professor’s
feedback, save it and refer to it—and the
comments—the next time you write an
essay . . . Always aim to learn from one
essay to improve the next one you write!
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11. Sources
• http://www.paperomatic.com/assignments/
• http://www.vmi.edu/Content.aspx?id=2789
• http://twp.duke.edu/uploads/assets/Using
%20Visual%20Rhetoric%20in
%20Academic%20Writing.pdf
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