11 WRITING STRATEGIES- thuychungdhnn-0905290939

11 WRITING STRATEGIES

A. DEFINITION

Prewriting is part of the writing process in which the writer gathers ideas,
explores the writing prompt, generates thoughts, and organizes them.

It is an opportunity for writers to expand their ideas about a prompt and think
creatively and critically about what they want to say.

B. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WRITING PROCESS

- Prewriting allows you to explore, test, and generate ideas.

- They provide you with ways to organize and expand on your writing.

- You pick your first idea and run with it.

-You can think critically and creatively.

C. SOME OF THE BEST PRE-WRITING TRATEGIES

1.Brainstorming

-What it is: Brainstorming is probably the most familiar prewriting activity. It

is simply a “brain dump” of ideas about a topic.

-How to use it: The writer simply writes down all the ideas that pop into her
head as she considers the topic. Don’t try to self-edit or speculate on the idea,
just get it down.

2.Clustering

-What it is: Clustering is gathering ideas and thoughts into categories.

-How to use it: Look at the prompt and determine some big categories that
might fall under the topic.

Writer can write the ideas in circles (like a cluster). It’s helpful to label the
clusters or color code them.

3. Free writing

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11 WRITING STRATEGIES- thuychungdhnn-0905290939

-What it is: Free writing (sometimes spelled as one word) is simply writing
about an idea for a specific period of time. It can be a stream of consciousness
or in response to a prompt.

-How to use it: Use freewriting as a way for you to dive in and explore a
prompt or topic.

Set the time (start with maybe 5 – 7 minutes) and write continuously. You
shouldn’t worry about spelling, grammar, organization — you are just getting
your thoughts down on paper.

4. Looping

-What it is: Looping is the perfect prewriting strategy to use after you have
done freewriting. When using this technique, you’ll chose an idea from
freewriting to explore on a deeper level.

-How to use it: Go back to the freewriting and choose a word, sentence, or
phrase that interests you or that you think might make a good topic. Write that
word, sentence, or phrase at the top of a new page, set the timer, and write about
that topic until the timer goes off.

5. Listing

-What it is: Listing is just a simple list of ideas. This is a great prewriting
activity for those who really don’t know what to write about.

-How to use it: It’s easiest to put the topic or key word from the prompt at the
top of the page which makes it easy to stay focused on the prompt.

6.Mapping & Diagramming

-What it is: Mapping (or diagramming) is a great visual organizational

prewriting activity that helps you see relationships. Writers create a concept
map of how different elements fit together.

-How to use it: In its simplest form, this prewriting technique entails using
shapes, symbols, colors, arrows, and lines. Start with the main idea in the
center, and look for ideas that connect or are important.

By the end of a mapping prewriting activity, you should have a “bird’s eye”
view of what the topic entails. This is really helpful in determining if the topic is
too big.

7.Outlining
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11 WRITING STRATEGIES- thuychungdhnn-0905290939

-What it is: We’re all familiar with a standard outline form — a prewriting
outline is an abbreviated form of that.

-How to use it: Outlining is a great tool once you have completed some other
preliminary prewriting. If you have done clustering or listing, you have items
that need to categorize.

8. Ws and 1 H

-What it is: The 5 Ws and 1 H are what journalist use — it’s the who, what,
where, when, why, and how of a topic.

-How to use it: Address each question. If you can’t answer a question, this may
be a spot where you need to fill in with research.

-Ask more than just one question for each word.

9. Journaling

-What it is: Using journaling as a prewriting activity is similar to freewriting,

write about the topic. It is different from freewriting where the focus is to keep
writing. Responding to a prompt in a journal is more intentional.

How to use it: Respond to a prompt in journals or writing notebook. You may
want to jump right into an idea you have about the prompt and begin developing
their ideas.

10. Pros & cons list

-What it is: You can create a list of arguments in favor and opposition to a
prompt.

-How to use it: This prewriting strategy works well with arguments and
persuasive writing activities. Even though you may be arguing one point or
another, having a list of pros and cons can help you see where you need to
strengthen argument and where you can attack opposition.

- Take an actual list with two columns. One column in favor and one column
opposed. It can also be helpful for you to work in pairs with one person arguing
one side and bring up all the opposing ideas.

11.Venn diagram

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11 WRITING STRATEGIES- thuychungdhnn-0905290939

What it is: A Venn diagram is two intersecting circles that illustrate how two
things are different and alike. (want to know why a Venn diagram is always
capitalized?

How to use it: There is nothing like a Venn diagram to compare and contrast.
And it is so simple to use.

You can draw the diagram right into resource book and fill it in.

 Like the pro/con list, a Venn diagram makes an argument clear to you.
 Unlike a pro/con list, the diagram helps you see commonalities.