ENG 360 Conference Preparation Sheet #1

Questions:

1. Review the prewriting you’ve done for your Annotated Bibliography entries (e.g.,
brainstorming, notes, outlines, lists of questions, etc.). What prewriting strategies are you and
your teammates currently using? We call these techniques “prewriting” whether you do
them before or during the drafting process. Highlight the processes you currently use,
and/or describe alternate processes you’ve used.

Idea generation or inscription:

Freewriting Brainstorming Listing Rhetorical Triangle Journalists Questions
Other:

Idea organization:
Outlines Points-to-Make List Storyboard Clustering
Rough Plan Venn Diagram
Other:

Research:
Reading published texts Interviewing Conducting experiments
about your subject
(videos, articles, books, Reviewing model bibliographies
webpages, etc.)
Other:

2. Did you create a work schedule for your group’s project? If so, list the milestone
deadlines you have met so far. List any milestone deadlines you’ve missed and explain
what you can do in the coming weeks to meet future due dates.

Yes, we have created a work schedule for our group’s project and have listed them in the
“padded” timeline section of our Team Charter. We have already met our deadline for writing a
team charter. Our next milestone deadline is finalizing a topic, which should be done by
Tuesday, October 13th. The following milestone will be on Wednesday, October 14th, which by
then, we will have all of our sources picked, and we will evaluate them as a group.
3. Each student should use bullet points or a numbered list to describe their usual writing
process below (just list the actions you take to complete a writing assignment). Which
prewriting, drafting, or revision strategies do you wish you were using? Which strategies
would you like to discuss and practice in a future class? Add space as necessary.

Student #1 (Name: Ashley Mize):

● Pick a topic that fits the prompt and that interests me.
● Briefly research my topic to understand what is most important
○ During this time I make sure there is actually enough information to write about
my topic, if not I go back to step 1
● Create an outline of what I will write about and organize the information in a way that
makes sense, builds on itself, and flows. (Rhetorical Triangle)
● Find 2-4 sources for each block of information in my outline, read them, and then decide
where else in my paper I can use them, indicating this in my outline.
● Write topic sentences for major sections and estimate how much I need to write about for
each topic
● Write a complete rough draft. I usually am constantly revising as I write (although this
slows me down) and write out of order
● Read through entire essay 2-4 times to find grammar errors or areas that need to be
rewritten to help the essay flow

I wish that during the writing process I let go of my inner editor and just wrote. Sometimes I
think of something to write and then decide it's not good enough/worded right so I don’t get
anything down. I think freewriting would help me get through this writer’s block.

Student #2 (Name: Kimberlee Hangse):

1. Brainstorming topics
2. Researching the web for general information about the topic and to confirm the topic. If
the topic does not work out, look at other brainstormed topics and research.
3. Drafting begins by making an outline
4. Search for appropriate research articles.
5. Work on paragraphs of outline and check sources.
6. Revision includes looking through whole paper:
a. Missing ideas crucial to the topic
b. If any additional sources are needed
c. Grammar, sentence structure, etc.
d. Layout/style
7. Finalize and turn in paper.

I wish to add to my prewriting and drafting by using freewriting, reverse outlining, and a work
schedule for myself. Overall, I want to improve the speed of my researching process because I
tend to look at many different sources and get lost in what I want to use as evidence. I will also
get writer’s block often, so I think freewriting would be beneficial. I want to utilize a
personalized work schedule, so I don’t fall behind in my own duties. It can be hard for me to
focus on one class when I think about my other classes. I am interested in the idea of reverse
outlining, since it will force me to just write a little more and then evaluate my writing.

Some strategies I would like to use in the future are interviewing and reviewing models. I would
like to get some experience conducting professional interviews for class assignments as it will
also improve my communication skills. Lastly, I think reviewing models will be useful for my
future studies.

Student #3 (Name: Cherry Limthanakit):

● Brainstorm some ideas
● Research for related sources to my topic
● Form a outline to how I want my ideas to be organized within the paper
● Free write a complete rough draft
● Read over the rough draft 2- 3 times, then start the process to the finalized version of the
paper
○ See if anything needs to be added, adjusted, and meet all the qualifications the
professor instructs
● Read over the finalize version 2-3 times
● Upload to submission

When it comes to writing, I’m personally not the best. It usually takes me a while to formulate all
my thoughts and ideas on paper. Therefore, I typically try to start as soon as possible, then I can
have extra time to review and correct any grammar/punctuation errors. When papers are
assigned, what I usually do first is read the prompt a couple of times to make sure I have a
complete understanding of what the instructor is asking for. Another way that helps is by
brainstorming ideas in my head throughout the day. If an idea I think is suitable for the paper, I’ll
either write a note on my phone or on a piece of paper. When I’ve gathered enough credible
resources and an organized plan of ideas, I’ll start writing the rough draft. Within writing the
rough draft, I’ll write a few sentences to a paragraph and usually go back to read what was
written to fix any awkward sounding sentences. This usually takes most of my time since I like
to write and correct as I go. In addition, taking small breaks between writing and listening to soft
studying music while writing has helped me reduce my nerves and allow me to stay focused.

Lastly, before summiting the final draft, I’ll read over my paper a couple of times and use an
online writing tool called Grammarly to help correct any run-on sentences and grammatical and
punctuation errors.

Student #4 (Name: Samantha Castro):

1. Brainstorming to generate ideas for topic
2. Briefly search and read published texts to see what kind of information is available
a. Mainly review the abstract and discussion portions
3. Summarize articles and highlight information that are most relevant to the topic of choice
4. Cluster information based on similar themes and ideas
5. Outline to organize ideas in the most logical order
6. Write the rough draft
 7. Edit using grammarly
8. Finalize of paper

Once I have a topic, I like to focus on summarizing the information within each source. This
strategy gives me a better idea of what kind of information I can write. Next, I make a general
outline to provide a framework for the order I want to present the information. I try to make my
outlines more detailed to be able to convert those straight onto a rough draft, but it also means
that I spend the most time in this area. I've been using Grammarly a lot lately to edit, which has
been very helpful since I don't feel like a strong writer.

Furthermore, I tend to be a slower writer mainly because I type words and sentences out but
eventually end up deleting a lot repeatedly. I would say I like to avoid procrastinating for this
reason. If I wait until the last minute, I usually feel very stressed and anxious, which is generally
reflected in my writing and, ultimately, grade.