This document provides guidance on drafting the sections of a paper. It discusses defining good writing and conducting a mini-peer review of outlines. It then gives instructions on drafting each section, including writing a topic sentence, providing context, evidence from scholars, and analysis. Writers are told to make connections between evidence and return to their overall argument at the end of each section. The introduction is also addressed, advising the use of Swales' CARS model to establish territory, niche, and occupy the niche in the letter format.

1. Drafting Unit Four
Part One:
Definition of “Good Writing”

2. Mini-Peer Review: Outlines
 Are there enough subject headings?
 Do the headings make sense?
 Are they arranged in a logical order?
 Are there enough scholars listed under each heading?
 Does each heading have scholars from more than
one unit?
 Is the student making lots of connections--and not
just the most obvious ones?
 Are there connections between scholars that they
could add?

3. Drafting
 Choose a section heading to work on.
 Write a topic sentence that gives an
overview of the section.
 Example: “A well-written paper is the
product of a ‘good writer.’”
 Section: “Good Writing” Comes from
“Good” Writers

4. Drafting
 Add evidence (from scholars)
 Context:
 “A good writer is able to differentiate between the
multiple ‘rules’ and determine which rules to use and
which rules to disregard.”
 Evidence:
 “As Mike Rose explains, ‘blockers’ use the rules of
writing as algorithms (229). Algorithms are rigid rules in
which a specific input always has a specific output (Rose
222). Rose states that the ‘non-blockers’ used the rules
of writing as heuristics, or guidelines (229).”
 Analysis:
 “An efficient and good writer uses rules as heuristics
because it allows them to throw out rules that don't
apply to the specific situation.”

5. Drafting
 Add more evidence. MAKE CONNECTIONS.
 Context:
 “It is important to be able to determine which rules are functional
and which rules aren't.”
 Evidence:
 “Joseph M. Williams states that ‘We need not believe that just
because a rule of grammar finds its way into some handbook of
usage, we have to honor it’ (97). Williams defines four possible
responses to discourse. Option one, a rule is violated and there is
no response. Option two, a rule is not violated and there is no
response. Option three, a rule is violated and there is a response.
Finally, option four a rule is not violated and there is no response
(96).”
 Analysis:
 “The writing process is so complex that it cannot be broken down
into one simple set of rules that must apply in every situation.”

6. Drafting
 Keep adding evidence
(context/evidence/analysis) until the end of
the section.
 At the end of the section, sum everything up
and return to your argument.
 Example: “A good writer must be able to consider
all rules, determine which ones fit into their
individual writing process and best convey their
message to their intended audience.”
 Repeat this entire process for each section.

7. Introduction
 Use Swales again!
 Establish territory
 Establish niche
 Occupy niche
 Don’t forget this is a letter; it should
start, “Dear Ms. Wayne,” or “Hey Ms.
Wayne, what’s up?” or something
comparable.

8. Establish your territory
 Dear Ms. Wayne,
Good writing can be defined in many different
ways. Over the last semester, I have been striving
to find an answer to “what is good writing?" I
have discovered that there are many correct
answers to this question. Each person has a
different answer based on their past experiences.
A very common definition of good writing is “a
well-structured essay with good grammar and
spelling.”
 (Hint: it might help you to look back at what you posted on
Facebook at the beginning of the semester: what did you used
to think good writing was?)

9. Establish and occupy
your niche
 However, I see these qualities as
secondary.
 To me, good writing is the ability to
effectively communicate a point to the
intended audience.
 (might want to be more specific than this,
especially if you have multiple subject headings)