Ccontents: 1.The Writing Process 2.The First and Second Steps
in Writing
3.The Third Step in Writing
4.The Fourth Step in Writing
5.Four Bases for Revising Writing
6.Paragraph Development
The Third Step in Writing
Step 3: Organize and Connect the Specific Evidence
Common Methods of Organization:
Time Order and Emphatic Order
Time order simply
means that details are listed they occur in time. First
this is done; next this; then this;
after that, this; and so on.
Emphatic order is sometimes
described as "save-the-best-till-last" order. It means that
the most interesting or important detail is placed in the
last part of a paper. The last position in a paper is the
most emphatic position because the reader is most likely to
remember the last thing read. Finally, last of all,
and most important are typical words showing
emphasis.
Transitions:
Transitions, or transition words, are signal words that help
readers follow the direction of the writer's thought. They
show the relationship between ideas, connecting one thought
to the next.. They can be compared to road signs that guide
travelers.
Transitions
Addition signals:
first of all, for one thing, second, the third reason,
also, next, another, and, in addition, moreover,
furthermore, finally, last of all
Time signals:
first, then next, after, as, before, while, meanwhile,
now, during, finally
Space signals:
next to, across, on the opposite side, to the
left, to the right, in front, in back, above, below,
behind, nearby
Change-of-direction signals: but, however, yet, in
contrast, otherwise, still, on the contrary, on the
other hand
Illustration
signals: for example, for instance, specifically, as
an illustration, once, such as
Conclusion
signals: therefore, consequently, thus, then, as a
result, in summary, to conclude, last of all, finally
The
Fourth Step in Writing
Step 4: Write Clear, Error-Free Sentences
Use
Parallelism-Words in
a pair or a series should have a parallel structure. By
balancing the items in a pair or a series so that they have
the same kind of structure, you will make a sentence clearer
and easier to read.
Cross out and
revise the unbalanced part of each of the following
sentences:
1. When
Gail doesn't have class, she uses her time to clean house,
getting (to
get) her laundry done, and to buy groceries.
2. Lola
plans to become a model, a lawyer, or to go into
nursing.( a nurse.)
3.
Filling out an income tax form is worse than wrestling a
bear or to walk
(walking) on hot coals.
4. The
study-skills course taught me how to take more effective
notes, to read a textbook chapter, and preparing(
to prepare) for exams.
5. The
video store has sections devoted to comedy films, dramatic
films, and (foreign) films
made in foreign countries.
6. Martha
Grencher likes to water
(watering) her garden,
walking her fox terrier, and arguing with her husband.
7. Filled
with talent and ambitious
(ambition), Eduardo plugged
away at his sales job.
8. When I
saw my roommate with my girlfriend, I felt worried, angry,
and embarrassment
(embarrassed) as well.
9.
Cindy's cat likes sleeping in the dryer, lying in the
bathtub, and to chase
(chasing) squirrels.
10. The
bacon was fatty, grease was on the potatoes
( were grease), and the eggs
were cold.
11.
People in the lobby munched popcorn, sipped sodas, and
were shuffling
(shuffled) their feet impatiently.
Use a Consistent Point
of View
Consistency
with Verbs--Do not shift
verb tenses unnecessarily. If you begin writing a paper in
the present tense, don't shift suddenly to the past. if you
begin in the past, don't shift without reason to the
present.
Example: The
shoplifter walked quickly toward the front of the
sore. When a clerk shouts
(shouted) at him, he started
to run
Use Specific Words
General
Specific
The boy came down the street.
Theo ran down Woodlawn Avenue.
A bird appeared on the grass.
A blue jay swooped down onto the frost-overed lawn.
She stopped the car.
Jackie slammed on the brakes of her Lincoln.
Use Concise Wording
Wordiness-
using more words than
necessary to express a meaning- is often a sign of lazy or
careless writing. Your readers may resent the extra time and
energy they must spend when you have not done the work
needed to make your writing direct and concise.
Example:
(1) Anne is of the opinion that the death penalty should be
allowed.
(2) I would like to say
that my subject in this paper will be the kind of generous
person that my father was.
Omitting
needless words improves the sentences:
(1) Anne supports the death penalty.
(2) My father was a
generous person.
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