Ms.

Whartons Steps to Writing

Success
A tool to help you along the way.
Step 1: Decide for whom and
why you are writing.
Whats the point of all of this writing
anyway?
 Audience, Context, Purpose
Think about who you're writing for. Are you writing for your teacher? For your
classmates? For your grandma or dad? Consider this when you're writing. A
piece of writing for your dog might be a lot different than the writing you want to
turn into me.

Something else to think about: context and purpose. Why are you writing this
piece? Under what circumstances? This will largely determine the tone of your
piece. Is it academic? Sassy? Professional? Friendly?
Step 2: Decipher what form
you want to achieve.
Hmm...I better find examples of how I
want to write this. Maybe I can learn from
them.
Finding Form Models
Now that you've decided why and for whom
you're writing this assignment, it's a good
idea to look at past ways that the writing
you are aiming for has been accomplished.
Do some research, or check out our in-class
examples of different pieces.
Examples of various writing forms
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find specific examples Narratve wrtng

related directly to the form Creatve wrtng
of writing you would like to
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 Step 3: See writing as a
process
I have an idea in my mind, but I have no
idea where to begin.
What is the writing process?
We're going to be using a process writing approach instead
of a product approach. This means that our writing is
centered around brainstorming, planning, drafting, and
editing, among other things. We're more concerned with
how we write than what we produce. This concern will
eventually lead us to a better product, anyway. We are
practicing a means of learning, not a product.
 Step 4: Writing Goals
Everybody has #goals; make some for your
writing.
Goals
What are you trying to achieve with this assignment? What goals do you have for your
writing?

This does not mean: I want to get a better grade on this assignment than the last one. Some
examples may include: "I want to include six solid transition statements in my essay," "I want
to limit myself to only three passive verbs," or "I want to find four supports and use four quotes
for each supporting argument."

Your goals should be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and

Time-sensitive.)

While you're at it, take a look at the rubric for some other goals. Maybe you didn't do as well
in one area on the last assignment as you would have liked to; try to set a goal there.
 Step 5: Brainstorming
Your first ideas often arent your best
possible.
Brainstorming Processes
In groups of 2-4, use the "Yes, and,"
strategy that we learned in class.
Remnder: the "Yes, and," strategy
involves grouping up and bouncing
ideas off of each other. The idea is to
add support, explanations, and
evidence to what the previous person
said.
Example:
Draco Malfoy is a lot different
than Harry Potter.
Yes, and he's seen as a fol to
Harry.
OR, Try summarizing what it is you
would like to write about. Have a
classmate read it over. What
questions do they have? What
suggestions would they make?
Make a graphic organizer.
Try cubing, AKA, looking at your
subject from multiple different angles.
Describe it
Compare it
Associate it
Analyze it
Apply it
Argue it
 Step 6: Planning
I really should have an idea where Im
going to go with this, shouldnt I?
The Planning Process
This stage may be different for many people. In one way or another, you want to
begin to organize what you will write. For some, this means an outline. For others,
it is a mental framework of where they want to go.

One thing is very essential: your thesis. Take a stand on your topic.
In J.K. Rowlings novel Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prnce, Draco Malfoy is seen as a foil
to Harry through his cowardice, his wealth, and his treatment of others.
Outline examples
Your essay does not have to be a five-paragraph essay. You just have to make
a point and support it with examples from research or the text we are reading.
Be creative.
Try out the Essay Map app to begin planning your paper!
 Step 7: Drafting
It doesnt have to be perfect. Just write.
Drafting
Come up with multiple different titles for your piece. Don't decide on
one until you're finished with your paper.
Remember the PEEL Method (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link)- Make
your point, use evidence to support it, explain your evidence, and link it
back to your thesis.
It is also important to remember that your first draft wll not be your
final draft. Did you know that it took J.K. Rowling more than 15 drafts
just to write the first chapter of Harry Potter? Great things take time.
 Step 8: Revising
Time to look over it again
The Revising Process
Re-read your essay. There may be some changes that you want to make. Not all of them will
work, so make sure you save each draft to get your original ideas back. Here are some things
you could do when revising:

Add more information.

Pick better fitting, more accurate words.
Change your paragraph order.
Take out anything that is off topic.
Add more transition words.

Tips:

Use your spell check :) Little things like this are proven to improve your writing success.
Read your work out loud. You can catch a lot this way.
 Step 9: Editing
Now that youve been staring at your essay
for this long, have someone else look over
it.
The Editing Process
For this step, you will meet with writing groups. Exchange your papers in your group until everyone has
read everyone else's piece.

When looking over your group member's paper, look for:

Do the paragraphs and sentences flow well? Mark places it doesn't.
Is the word choice accurate?
Is everything clear? Does it make sense?
Make note of spelling/grammar mistakes only if they stand out; do not focus on these.
Is their argument strong?
Do they need more evidence?
Do they explain their evidence?
Do they bring it back to the main thesis?
Go through and discuss the papers.
Give each person the PPC: pluses, potentials, and concerns.
Two good things, two things they could do to make it even better, and what they can improve on.
Step 10: Revisit your goals
and the rubric.
Did you meet your goals? Do you feel like
you progressed in your writing skills?
Goal-check
Did you meet all of the goals of the assignment?
Did you meet your own personal goals?
Writing will never be perfect, and it will never be
complete. It is hard, but that's why we're
practicing with these steps and with peers.
 Step 11: Reflection
Every good learner reflects on their
education and learning.
Reflecting on your writing
Before your turn your paper in, write 3-4
sentences reflecting on your writing on the back of
your rubric. Did you improve? What did you
struggle with? What felt easy?
If you write enough, writing will feel like
breathing; simple, natural, and refreshing.
Works Cited
Bayat, N. (2014). The effect of the process writing approach on writing success and anxiety. Educational Sciences:
Theory & Practice, 14(3), 1133-1141.

Esposito, L. (2016). Saying Yes, and to collaborative prewriting: how improvisation theater ignites creativity and
discovery in students. English Journal, 105(5), 42-47.

Graham, S., & Perin, D. (2007). Writing next: Effective strategies to improve writing of adolescents in middle and high schools
A report to Carnegie Corporation of New York. Washington, DC: Alliance for Excellent Education.
Lowther, D. L., Ross, S. M., & Morrison, G. M. (2003). When each one has one: The influences on teaching strategies
and student achievement of using laptops in the classroom. Educational Technology, Research and Development, 51,
2344.

Ray, K.W. (2006). Exploring Inquiry as a Teaching Stance in the Writing Workshop. Language Arts, 83(2),
238-247.

Rowlands, K. D. (2016). Slay the monster! replacing form-first pedagogy with effective writing instruction. English
Journal, 105(6), 52-58.