My Introduction has:
__ an attention grabber.
__ an overview of my topic.
__ my thesis statement at the end.
My Body paragraphs:
__ begin with a topic sentence that presents the subtopic.
__ give strong evidence to support the subtopic.
__ have a sentence which transitions to the next paragraph.
My Conclusion:
__ restates my thesis in different words or a different way.
__ Briefly summarizes each subtopic.
__ Ends with a strong clincher: a meaningful final sentence that usually refers back to the attention grabber.
Although many people use the terms interchangeably, editing and proofreading are two different stages of the revision process. Both demand close and careful reading, but they focus on different aspects of the writing and employ different techniques.
Editing is what you begin doing as soon as you finish your first draft. You reread your draft to see, for example, whether the paper is well-organized, the transitions between paragraphs are smooth, and your evidence really backs up your argument.
Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process, focusing on surface errors such as misspellings and mistakes in grammar and punctuation. You should proofread only after you have finished all of your other editing revisions.
There are many manuals available in print and online on how to write. This isn’t one of them! However, there are some guidelines that you can follow that will make your writing better and the rough draft less painful.
· Read the assignment again if necessary.
· This is your last chance to get more information, but don’t go overboard. You don’t have time to redo your research. There’s always one more stat, one more quote…
· Read over your outline and check your introductory paragraph. Make sure that they match!
· Have your notes sorted and visible.
· Use your outline.
· Make sure that your quotations are worth using. They must use language that is either difficult to paraphrase, or is so well-written that nothing you write could possibly do it justice. Sometimes quotes are exactly what you need to prove your argument. Direct quotes from important people in your subject area can also be beneficial.
· Refer often to your rubric. This is how you will be graded! If you find that you will be marked down drastically for spelling and grammatical errors, pay special attention to these details.
When crafting body paragraphs, follow this structure: Begin with a topic sentence that presents a subtopic. Then give strong evidence in as many paragraphs as necessary to support this subtopic. Then have a sentence which transitions to your next paragraph. At times, this sentence can be a challenge to write. If you can’t think of a clever way to segue one paragraph to another, leave it alone and revisit the paragraph later.
Give yourself a break! (I’m not kidding.) Take several short breaks while writing. If this means stepping away from your desk and skipping around your house, do it. Grab a snack. Talk to your Mom. Pet your dog. Put away your laundry. Do not, however, go to Facebook or other time-eaters on the Internet. Do not text a friend or watch a movie. You need a break from technology of all kinds. Don’t do something that you know will turn into a long time commitment. Get a little bit of exercise, even if it means a couple sets of jumping jacks. Leave for some fresh air and then read what you have written down. You may be surprised at how good (or bad) it really is. The break will also give your brain time to digest some ideas. You may even have a “eureka” moment and discover a good sentence for your introduction or conclusion.
The conclusion should be written at the end. It should restate your thesis in different words or in a different way. You should briefly summarize each subtopic. End it with a strong clincher for a meaningful final sentence. This can be the hardest sentence to write, especially if you are in a rush. If, during your writing, you think of a clincher, write it down somewhere immediately!
You probably already use some of the strategies discussed below. Experiment with different tactics until you find a system that works well for you. The important thing is to make the process systematic and focused so that you catch as many errors as possible in the least amount of time.
The proofreading process becomes more efficient as you develop and practice a systematic strategy. You’ll learn to identify the specific areas of your own writing that need careful attention, and knowing that you have a sound method for