The keys to academic writing including choosing a topic, gathering details and constructing a quality essay.

1. Academic
Writing
Putting your words to work

2. Writing to learn
Writing only because it is assigned will not
get you very far. Writing is fundamental to
learning and will help you develop in all areas
of your academic life.

3. Range of writing
Formal:
Multimedia reports
Research Papers
Plays & Poems
Business letters

4. The Writing process
1. Prewriting: Select the topic, gather details,
form your thesis.
2. Drafting (Writing): Write your first draft
using your prewriting plan as a guide
3. Revising: Make changes for depth and
clarity

5. The Writing process
4. Editing: Make changes to improve
grammar, punctuation, spelling and style.
5. Publishing: Prepare your writing to share
with audience (formatting, printing, etc.)
I can tell if you only do steps 2 and 5!

6. Choosing a topic
Choose a topic that is appropriate to the
assignments. A five-paragraph essay will
require a topic that is more specific than a
five-page paper. Start with a general idea
and narrow it until it fits the scope of the
assignment you’ve been given.

7. Gathering details
The Five W method: Who, what, when,
where, why? Throw in How? to be safe.
Listing: List your thoughts about the topic
writing nonstop for as long as you can.
Freewriting: Like listing, but in paragraphs.

8. Gathering details
Another note: Be familiar with the details
you’ve gathered. DO NOT learn about your
subject while you’re writing about it.
The more familiar you are the easier it will be
to write and the better organized your paper
will be.

9. Begin at the beginning
Begin with a surprising fact or statistic.
Ask an interesting or challenging question.
Start with a revealing quotation.
Share a brief dramatic story.
Open with a bold statement.

10. Develop your idea in the middle
Keep your thesis in mind. Always.
Develop each point in a new paragraph.
Use plenty of details.
Use your own words or use quotes.
Be open to new ideas.
Use the basic writing moves.

11. The basic writing moves
Narrating: sharing an experience or story
Describing: Telling how something looks
Explaining: providing important facts &
details.
Analyzing: carefully examining a subject
Comparing/Contrasting: showing how two
things are alike and different

12. The basic writing moves
Defining: identifying or clarifying the meaning
of a term.
Reflecting: connecting with or wondering
about the subject
Evaluating: Rating the value of something
Arguing: using logic and evidence to prove
something is true.

13. Bring things to a close
Remind the reader of the thesis
Summarize the main points
Reflect on the explanations or arguments
you’ve presented
Offer a final idea to keep the reader thinking
about the topic.

14. Editing: It’s kind of mandatory
Once you’ve written your paper and revised it
to make sure it is clear and complete, you
must take the time to edit it. Think of it as the
icing on the cake.
An unedited paper is unfinished and errors left
on the page will take away from overall quality
of your writing. (It also hurts your grade.)

15. Editing marks
Learn and use these
editing marks. I will be
using them on your
papers as well.

16. Strategies for editing
Work with a clean copy of your paper and
double space to leave room for marking.
Check one element at a time (spelling then
grammar then punctuation, etc.)
Work from the end to the beginning.
Read your paper aloud at least once.