1.3: The PWR (Prewrite, Write, and Revise) Method
Read this article on the writing process from pre-writing to publishing. Do you find that you follow these steps when writing essays? Which pre-writing activity works best for you?
1.3.1: Prewriting
Read this article. Asking friends and classmates for their opinions can be a helpful step in the writing process. Try the suggestion in the reading about using Microsoft Word's tracking and commenting features to help organize your peers' feedback.
1.3.1.1: Just Write: Freewriting
Read this article on the pre-writing method called freewriting, and watch the linked video. Have you ever suffered from writer's block? Do you think freewriting would be a helpful technique to combat writer's block? Why or why not?
1.3.1.2: Brainstorming Methods
Read this page to learn about several methods of brainstorming. In the previous subunit, we took a look at freewriting to help combat writer's block. This reading will review the freewriting method, and you will discover several more techniques, such as creating lists, developing concept maps, thinking of journalistic questions, identifying topic levels, using cubing, as well as several other suggestions. Which of these techniques do you feel will be the most helpful when starting an essay?
1.3.1.3: Outlines/Blueprints for the Paper
Read this section. Why is outlining important? Try the exercises at the bottom of the page to increase your outlining skills.
Using the prewriting and writing techniques you have just reviewed, develop an outline for Essay I, based on the Unit's topic: "What does it take to succeed in an Internet-based college course?"
1.3.2: Writing
1.3.2.1: Introduction: The Funnel Approach
Read this article to learn more about the role of introductions and effective strategies for developing your opening paragraph. The introduction is the most important part of an essay because it provides first impressions for your audience. In general, your introduction should provide an overview of your topic and should lead into your thesis statement. Try using one of the "attention grabber" suggestions in the reading for the exercise below.
Using the prewriting and writing techniques you have just reviewed, write an introductory paragraph for a brief essay about "What it takes to succeed in an Internet-based college course", the topic of Essay I, which you will write in full at the end of this unit.
1.3.2.2: Body: The Skeleton of Your Paper
Read this article, which will help you understand how to organize paragraphs in the body of your essay to help make your paragraphs cohesive and to smoothly transition between one discussion point to the next. Keep in mind that the paragraphs in the body of your essay should work to prove or address your main purpose or argument set out by your thesis statement.
1.3.2.3: Conclusion: What Is in the Conclusion? What Is Not?
Read this article for an explanation of how to write a conclusion. Conclusions can be just as important as introductions. A conclusion provides the last opportunity to make your point to your audience. Which of the strategies provided in the reading do you feel would make the strongest conclusion? Which strategy would be best for an argumentative essay and why?
Using the prewriting and writing techniques you have just reviewed, write a conclusion paragraph for a brief essay about "What it takes to succeed in an Internet-based college course", the topic of Essay I, which you will write in full later in this unit.
Unit 1 Essay - Part 1
Using the techniques you have just reviewed, write an essay of five to seven paragraphs that answers the question, "What does it take to succeed in an Internet-based college course?"
1.3.3: Revising
Read this article on revision. How is revision different from proofreading? After reading the webpage, do you feel that revision is a necessary step in the writing process?
1.3.3.1: Answering Three Big Questions: Do You Need to Say It? Does It Say What You Want It to Say? Will Other People Get What You Are Trying to Say?
Read this entire article to learn strategies for improving the organization of ideas in your essay. When you have finished studying this information, bookmark the Writing Center's webpage, so you can refer to it as you complete your written assignments. In this reading, you will discover how outlining can be helpful before, during, and after you have written an essay.
1.3.3.2: Editing for Structure, Clarity, and Style
Click on the link above and read the information on the main webpage. Then, select "Read More” for each of the related subtopics and read the accompanying pages. Make sure to also view any embedded videos. This reading will provide you with tips on proofreading and editing your paper to enhance your style of writing, make your writing more concise, and ensure that you are using proper punctuation. How are revision, proofreading, and editing similar? How are they different?
1.3.3.3: Proofreading Method: Reading Aloud
Read this page to learn about reading your paper out loud as a method of proofreading. Do you think reading your work aloud is a helpful technique?
Unit 1 Essay - Part 2
Read the essay you drafted earlier in Unit 1 aloud, taking time to make notes about any areas that seem weak, poorly constructed, illogical, or that just do not "sound right.” Then, edit your essay one more time for structure, clarity, and style. Try to use the strategies you learned about editing from the reading in subunit 1.3.3.2.
Note: If you completed this activity prior to February 27, 2017, you can find your response here .