May 22

For writing into the day, we answered quotations about writing process (see slide 18 on the PowerPoint) and then shared our answers with partners.

Next, as a class, we wrote a list of prewriting strategies.

• Flow charts
• Bubble maps
• Circle maps
• Drawing it out
• Let the inspiration come to you
• Researching
• Considering ways you want to take it
• Outlines
• Timelines
• Lists
• Think tanks
• Drafting
• Freewriting
• Journaling
• Discussion
• Observing
• Revision
• Asking for ideas

We discussed the questions about prewriting (see slide 20 on PowerPoint) in small groups and then in whole group.

• Prewriting is necessary.
• Brainstorming is inevitable.
• Brainstorming is individual.
• If you already know about it, you don't need to prewrite.
• You prewrite regardless because you prewrite when you draft.
• Prewriting helps you put everything in order.
• It's different for each piece of writing.
• It's the intellectual creation before the manifestation of the product.
• In high school. there was a particular kind of prewriting you needed to turn in.

When does prewriting start and end?

• It's part of the writing process.
• It's before the writing process begins.
• Prewriting can be throughout the whole process until you have a final paper.
• You don't consciously compartmentalize the steps.

We also talked about which of the following is a better sentence:

1. Startling a starving husband makes for hot, jumping flies.
2. I believes he will, make good mayor.

We finished with a writing out of the day answering this question: Start writing what good academic writing looks like.

Homework:

• Read "Shitty First Drafts" and "Assumption Two" (on Moodle).
• Print and bring to class the two revision handouts (on Moodle.)