This web site is designed to provide parents a step by step review of  classroom lectures and materials  I use to help my students understand the recursive nature of the writing process. The process of writing is considered recursive (always reflecting back on itself) because as we work through the four major stages (prewriting, drafting, revising, and proofreading) we are constantly referring to each stage to be sure our paper is saying what we want to say the way we want to say it. Prewriting is the stage in which the idea for the paper is born. Brainstorming activities like listing, clustering, gather information about the papers topic can be as simple as figuring out what the assignment is the more complex purposes of evaluating, analyzing, or debating major themes and ideas. Drafting is the stage in which the format of the paper is selected, the audience for the paper is selected and ideas begin to take written form in a loose organization.  Revision is the stage in which we add ideas to clarify ideas, delete ideas that aren't working, rearrange, rethink, and rewrite the paper. This is usually accomplished best by having our paper read by someone else (peer review). Proofreading is the final step in that we correct spelling and mechanical errors while "polishing" sentence structure. Proofreading is the last thing that is done in preparing our paper for publication. In the case of most classroom assignments, publishing means sharing your work with the intended audience, the teacher.

Since my time with your child is limited to the classroom period, he/she will being doing various projects at home to encourage their understanding of all the stages involved in writing. This review is not only to keep you up-to-date on those various tasks but also serves as an invitation for you to get involved with your child's quest to become a better writer. Discuss what each step means, how it works, which ones seem to be easiest or most difficult for your child and  yourself. Share successful strategies you have used to work through these steps in your writing. Share examples of the results of writing you have done (i.e. letters to editors, manufacturers, work related correspondence). By discussing writing with your child, you are helping your child to establish their own identity as a writer and you are helping me to fully immerse your child in the writing process, two objectives that are very important in helping your child obtain mastery of this process. While written specifically for parents, I will be encouraging students to make use of this site as well. Your ideas and thoughts are always welcome.