Learning to Write

HILDA GERENA SERRALTAPROF. D. MERCADOMARCH 28, 2009

Writing is a Process

•Writers do a lot of planning, writing, and rewriting to produce books and stories.

•This process is called writing.

• It is important to use this process in their own writing.

Writing is a skill that must be practiced

•There is only one way to learn how to write, this is by putting pencil to paper.

•It is important to practice writing: journal writing, story writing, report writing, and so on.

The Process of Writing• Prewriting• Writing First

Draft• Revising• Editing and

proofreading• Publishing

Prewriting

•Select a subject•Collect details

•Plan on a writing project

Collecting Details:• List freely ideas about subject: funny, nice, helpful, coach, two

boys my age, helps students, friend, room 203, math, fun learning, answers questions, laughs, tells us jokes, we learn, sees when I’m upset, call Mr. M.

Writing the First Draft

•Actual Writing•Get all ideas on paper

•Sometimes writing more than one draft

One Writer’s Process

• For one of her assignments, Hilda was asked to write about her favorite teacher. She used the writing process to complete her assignment.

• Prewriting-Select a subject, Collect details• Writing 1st draft- Mr. Mercado was one of Hilda’s current

teachers. She had no trouble writing about him. • Revising-After reviewing her 1st draft, Hilda tried to

make her writing clearer and complete.• Editing and proofreading-Hilda made sure that her

writing read smoothly and was free of errors.

Writing First DraftA Great Teacher

Hilda starts Funny, helpful, and friendly. What am I describing? Is itwith

words one of your classmates or your best friend? Believe it or not, I’mfrom her

collecting describing a teacher! His name is Mr. Mercado. We call him Mr. M.list.

One thing that really like about him is the way he makes learning fun.She

continues If English seems boring, he will make it fun by saying something

that is by writing

freely so funny so you want to learn. Once I sneezed really loud in the About her

subject. middle of class. Right away, Mr. M. said “googloplex.” It sounded

just the same as gesunheit or bless you.

Mr. M. also…

Revising

•Changes made to improve writing

•Ideas may be added, cut, or switched around

•Sentences may be cut or rewritten

Improving the Writing: Who is

A Great Teacher omit

Hilda funny, helpful, and friendly? What am I describing?

changes Is it one of your (my) classmates or your (my) best the friend? Believe it or not, I’m describing a my English

teacher!First His name is Mr. Mercado. We call him Mr. M.

omit

line into One thing that I really like about him is a question the way he makes learning fun. Why is this

sentence all alone?

If English seems boring, he will <make it fun by saying>

She something <that is so funny> so you we want to learn. Once I

rewrites a sneezed really loud in the middle of the class. Right

wordy away, Mr. M said “googolplex” It sounded just the same

sentence as gesundheit or bless you. Mr. M. also... Good example! omit

Editing & Proofreading

•All final changes made in the revised writing

•Writing is carefully checked for errors

Editing and ProofreadingA Great Teacher

Who is funny, helpful, and friendly? What am I describing? Is it

Hilda combines one of your classmates or your best friend? Beleive it or2 sentences

For smooth not, I’m describing a teacher! His name is Mr. Mercado, but we call him reading Mr. M.

One thing that really like about him is the way he makes learning

fun. If English seems boring, he will make it fun by saying something that

is so funny so you want to learn. Once I sneezed really loud in the A comma.and capital middle of class. Right away, Mr. M. said, “Googloplex.” It sounded letter areadded just the same as gesundheit or bless you.dialogue.

Mr. M. also…

Publishing• By sharing your

story with classmates you are publishing

• Sending your story to school or city newspaper• Work harder knowing it will be

published

Review: Prewriting

• Select• Collect• Plan

Writing the First Draft• Write freely, get

all ideas on paper• Imagine

• Let prewriting and planning be your guide that

you are talking to a group of friends

How do I know if my writing is good?

If you can nod your head to at least three of these questions, you can feel good about your work:

_____ Did you select a subject that really interest you?

_____ Did you think of a special way to write about this subject?

_____ Did you make changes in your writing until it said what you wanted it to say?

_____ Did you share your work during the writing process?

YOU DID IT. YOU WROTE AN ESSAY!!GOOD WORK.