Writing is often described as a linear process, moving from the first stage to the last stage in an orderly fashion. However, the writing process often requires moving back and forth between steps and is often more complex than the linear model represents. If you are working on a larger project you may have to break down the work into smaller parts to make it manageable; therefore you can be at different stages of the writing process in different parts of your project. You may also have to make changes in sections that you thought were finished as the contents are affected by what you write in other sections. Furthermore, new questions may arise along the way that will make it necessary to return to an earlier stage of the process, for example to do further research. Show
Pre-writingIn the pre-writing stage you plan and prepare your writing. This is also the stage where you research your topic and look for relevant sources. Early in the pre-writing stage you should give thought to the subject and purpose of your assignment. If you are assigned a broad subject by your instructor you will need to narrow it down and focus on a smaller subject area, preferably something that interests you. In order to write effectively you also need to know the purpose of why you are writing. Each type of writing has a unique set of guidelines and knowing your purpose for writing will help you produce a text of high quality and relevance. In order for you to know the purpose of your writing you will need to interpret the task. See more information below about this. Doing thorough preparatory work is important for your writing and will save you a lot of time in the long run. It will help you keep your focus during the writing process. As your project progresses you may have to make some changes to your initial plan. At the beginning of the writing process it is important to take time to create a timetable for writing in order to ensure that you will have a finished product when the assignment is due. When planning your time, take into account that the revising phase may take as much time as the initial writing, or perhaps even longer. This is in many ways similar to planning your studies in general. Tips on how to organize your studies Interpreting the taskBefore you begin writing it is important to understand what is required of you. Interpreting the task is an essential part of the writing process as it will influence the quality and relevance of your writing. The guidelines for the assignment should give you information about the required length and format of your text, as well as some information about genre and structure. Perhaps the expected genre of your text is not stated directly in the guidelines but can be deduced from the instruction words. These are words that indicate what type of text you are supposed to write. They could be words such as “analyze” or “discuss”. Definitions of the most common instruction words The guidelines should also include information about which referencing system to use. Furthermore, they often contain information about how the assignment will be assessed and graded. If you lack information of what is expected of you, you should consult the course teacher. Choosing a topicYou will have to choose a topic to write about, if one has not already been assigned. To choose a topic and get started with the writing process you can use invention techniques. Mind mapping or clustering and brainstorming are examples of invention techniques. Tips on how to use different invention techniques It is likely that the topic that has been assigned or the one that you initially come up with is too broad or general to serve as the focus of the paper. In the introduction to your paper you will need to make a claim that sets your position in an academic argument, a so-called thesis statement. Or, if the genre or discipline you are writing within calls for it, you may instead formulate one or more research questions that your text will try to answer. Both thesis statements and research questions serve to narrow down the topic and focus of the paper. During the writing process you are likely to discover aspects that you were not aware of at the beginning, or the focus of your paper might become more refined or shift slightly. You can go back and rephrase the definition of your topic as well as the thesis statement or research questions as the writing progresses. What is a thesis statement?In a thesis statement you define the main idea of the paper and make a claim or state your position in an academic argument. A thesis statement is presented in the introduction and tells the reader what to expect of the rest of the paper. If it is not possible to formulate a thesis statement at the beginning of the writing process you may instead write down one or more questions that you would like to answer. Once you know what your findings are or where you stand in an academic argument, you may go back and define the thesis statement. Example of a thesis statement: Reading aloud to pre-school children stimulates their development of reading skills and increases their vocabulary as well as contributes to the development of general cognitive skills. Further information about thesis statements and some examples What is a research question?A good research question is debatable which means that the answer requires an academic argument. That is, research questions should not be simple yes or no questions, or questions that can be answered with a list of facts. Instead, to answer your research questions, you need to present a claim during the course of your paper, and support it with evidence. Be aware that your research questions should not be too big to be answered within the framework of the assignment. Your research question/questions should be presented to the reader in the introduction. Example of a research question: How does reading aloud to pre-school children affect the development of their reading abilities? Watch this short video from Lund University about research questions and thesis statements: Researching and readingDuring the pre-writing phase you also research your topic and look for relevant sources. Often finding relevant literature is part of the final assessment of the assignment, as is the correct use of citations and references in the text. The library search pages contain tips on how to search for literature. You may have to return to the search or reading process as your project progresses and new aspects or problems become apparent. When you read and take notes it is important to keep track of references. Always write down your sources when you take notes and mark out if you write down any quotations. This will make it easier to handle your references during the writing process and also help you avoid plagiarism. More information about reading strategies and note-taking skills. OutliningEven though the outer framework of the structure might be given, you still need to decide how and in what order you should present your material and your argument. Outlining is when you create a plan that presents your material in a logical order. Watch a video to gain an understanding of why it is important to present your points in a logical order: Tips for creating an outline:
Considering your material in this manner will also give you the opportunity to evaluate whether all your points are relevant and should be included in your finished text. If something does not seem to fit in your line of argument, consider whether it belongs in the text at all. DraftingOnce you have created an outline it is time to start writing. Remember that you do not have to write a perfect first draft. Instead of focusing on producing a flawless text at this stage, try to concentrate on writing down your main ideas. You do not need to edit or proofread yet. Instead, try to let your thinking and writing flow as freely as possible. Furthermore, you do not have to write the text from start to finish. It is okay to begin with the sections that you feel the most confident with. You will probably have to rework your draft several times before you have a complete text. Preferably you should allow time between drafts (1 to 2 days, if you have the time) as it will give you a new perspective on your text. Giving and receiving feedbackIn many university courses giving and receiving feedback is part of the writing process. In some courses it is also part of the final assessment. But above all, giving and receiving feedback is a learning experience and the process will help you become a better reader and writer. Tips for giving feedback:
Tips for receiving feedback
Revising, editing and proofreadingThis is the stage in the writing process where you make sure that your text is coherent and written accurately. Your final product should be a text that has been thoroughly worked through and that meets the academic standards of writing. Make sure that you allow enough time to revise, edit and proofread your assignment before submission. Points to use when revising your textRead through your text and revise it according to the following points (note that not all points apply to all texts):
Which of the following is a trait of academic purpose in writing?Academic writing is clear, concise, focussed, structured and backed up by evidence. Its purpose is to aid the reader's understanding. It has a formal tone and style, but it is not complex and does not require the use of long sentences and complicated vocabulary.
What is the best question to ask yourself to help you identify your primary purpose for writing?The first question you ask yourself when you begin writing should be, "What is my goal/purpose for writing?" Understanding your purpose is critical when writing for any course because it can influence your decisions about content, emphasis, organization, style and tone.
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the medium you choose and the organization and writing strategies you use?Which of the following statements BEST describes the relationship between the medium you choose and the organization and writing strategies you use? The medium you choose will likely affect your organizational and writing strategies.
Why is it important to read a text carefully before you summarize it quizlet?Why is it important to read a text carefully before you summarize it? You may focus on how personal beliefs influenced the way you understand text. The amount of background information you give your audience should vary depending on what your audience already knows about your topic.
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