Dear Parents and Students,                                                          

The writing process lays an important foundation for using the six traits in any program of writing instruction. The traits simply provide a language to strengthen the process foundation and give students possibilities for revision.  Remember This: Process Comes First. Traits enhance process and will help you to understand modes or forms of writing which are mostly about purpose. Students will need to understand the components of prewriting, drafting, revision, and editing before they can make good use of trait language.  

Academically Yours,                                                                

Ms. Krall * 

THE WRITING PROCESS

PREWRITING:  This is the stage that helps you to make decisions about your topic.  You can do this in a variety of ways including brainstorming and outlining.  It refers to collecting details to use in your work. Here are a few things to think about:

Select * Collect * Plan 

Subject-Topic of your piece.

Purpose-What are you trying to express?

Form-Genre or type of writing.

Audience-Who will be reading your story?

DRAFTING:  This stage refers to the actual writing of the piece.  This is when a writer gets all of his/her ideas on paper.  Your concern is to write without hesitation, not to worry about corrections.  Refer to your prewriting during this stage.

REVISING:  This stage refers to the changes a writer makes to improve his/her writing.  Ideas are added, cut, or are switched around for clarity and detail.  Think about your story...Will others "see your ideas"?

SHOW DON'T TELL...Use your five senses as your write, and show your readers what you mean.

Character        

Plot          

Climax            Conflict            Setting            Description      

Conclusion

1.  Read your draft several times.

2.  Ask another to read your work.

3.  Decide what changes need to be made.

4.  Work on improving your writing.

EDITING:  This stage refers to all of the final changes made during revision.  During this stage, spelling and grammar corrections are made.  Use a dictionary, grammar book, and friends to assist you in this part of the process.

1.  Look closely at your style.  Do your sentences read clearly?

2.  Check your writing for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

3.  Write or type your final draft with several editors having corrected your writing.

PUBLISHING:  This stage refers to the final drafting and completion of your piece in its finest form.