Drafting

1)      Drafting: Once you have your idea and most of the information you need, it’s time to start writing. When you begin to write or compose your ideas, you are in the drafting stage. Your first try at writing your ideas down is called your first draft.

a)      How to get started drafting: The goal of drafting is to write everything down. Think about your idea, and then just start writing. Don’t worry about punctuation and spelling. You can fix mistakes later. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

o   Identify what you will put in each of the five paragraph format: Introduction, three supporting paragraphs, and conclusion. This is a good time to think about what happened before, during, and after the event. Put your ideas into an order that makes sense to you. You can start on any of the paragraphs; you don’t have to start with the introductory paragraph until later. It might be better to start with one of the three supporting paragraphs. Here is an example of Thanksgiving:

Thanksgiving

1.      Introduction-tells the reader what you will write about & thesis statement: a family gathering is a festive occasion…

2.      Second paragraph: Before, our preparations

3.      Third paragraph: During: Family & food, who was there, cooked

4.      Fourth paragraph: During: games or activities

5.      Conclusion: After: repeat introduction another way: a family get-together brings joy…

o   Think about a paragraph, and then write down everything that comes to mind about your topic for five minutes without stopping.

o   If you made a web or graphic organizer write a sentence or two about each idea.

o   Or write a short paragraph to describe what you will be writing about. Then write more about each of the ideas in your paragraph.

o   Remember to always think about your audience (who will be reading your work).

o   Use an Observation Chart to plan description. Be sure to include all five senses: see, hear, taste, smell, and feel (see below “a day at the beach”).

b)      Take a break and read what you’ve written. Then ask yourself if you’re explaining your idea or telling your story the way you meant to. Re-read the prompt and make sure you’re writing what was asked of you. If you’re not create some changes and keep writing.

c)      What should you do if you get stuck?

o   If you made a web or diagram, go back to it and see if there’s an idea that you haven’t written about.

o   Re-read the prompt to see if you have addressed everything you were instructed to write about.

o   Leave a blank space or put an X at the place where you’re stuck and go on to a different place. Come back to the blank space later.

o   If you are aloud, talk to someone about what you’re writing. Explain what you’ve written and ask for ideas.

o   Take a break, look out the window, or listen to music, draw a picture, and then come back to your writing.