(W) Understanding the Writing Process

The Writing Process

Understanding the writing process can get you anything you want from life. Having clear understanding of writing is a way of showing ability to think clearly and a form of clear communication. With an effective opening sentence, organized body and solid conclusion any writer can be very influential.

To start, your opening sentence must grab the attention of your targeted audience. Being that you, my students, are my target, I dIecided to focus my opening sentence around being able to achieve or get something. I did this because I know that each of you, just as most people, are interested in achieving goals or receiving some type of material possession for your efforts. Therefore, I stated that you could get anything from life. I immediately followed that statement with an explanation of how with one sentence and why with my thesis sentence.

Next, I will explain to you how an organized body to your paper will make it understandable. The body of your paper should have clear transitions and what I like to call an “essay map.” Transitions are words that let your reader know that you are moving on to the next idea in your essay. For example, words or phrases like: to start, next, moreover, afterwards, furthermore, first, second, third etc. Within those first transitional sentences there should be your essay map. These are words from you thesis sentence that you will talk about in each of your body paragraphs. For example, in this essay I am talking about opening sentence, organized body and solid conclusions. Now look back at the first sentences of each of my body paragraphs.

Afterwards, a solid conclusion will bring your paper to completion. Starting your conclusion with words like: finally, overall, and in summary will do just that. Your reader or audience needs to know that it is over by what you tell them during your writing. They should not be guessing to see if they should be turning a page or thinking they have lost one. It should be clear. You should also bring some personal insight into your work no matter what type of essay you are writing. Something that tells your audience what you got out of researching, studying or learning this topic. How you felt, your personal experience from the overall main idea of what you have wrote is the point.

Overall, the writing process is really easy if you learn these simple steps. If you want to become very influential in any type of writing you will need to take these basic steps to the next level. It is very possible to do so after studying the process for a little while. It made my college career a breeze after I figured it out. I only wish I learned it in high school.

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1. What is the purpose of understanding the writing process?

• To improve your handwriting. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: The essay discusses writing as a form of communication, not penmanship.

• To achieve goals, organize thoughts and become influential. (Correct)  Explanation: The essay emphasizes that understanding the writing process helps achieve goals and influence others.

• Understanding writing is unnecessary for success. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: This contradicts the essay's core argument.

• To become better at writing essays. (Almost correct)  Explanation: While true, the essay focuses on broader benefits like achieving life goals.

What makes a good opening sentence?

• It should grab the reader’s attention. (Correct)  Explanation: The essay stresses that a strong opening sentence captivates the audience.

• It should contain all the details of the essay. (Almost correct)  Explanation: While the opening sentence introduces the essay, it doesn’t include all details.

• The first sentence is not important. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: This directly contradicts the essay's emphasis on the importance of an opening sentence.

• It should be confusing to make readers curious. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: The essay advocates for clarity and focus, not confusion.

Why does the author mention their students in the essay?

• To explain why students don’t need writing skills. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: This contradicts the essay's message about the importance of writing.

• To talk about their teaching career. (Almost correct)  Explanation: The essay briefly references the author’s teaching role but focuses on writing.

• To make fun of students. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: The tone of the essay is supportive, not mocking.

• To identify the target audience. (Correct)  Explanation: The author uses their students as an example of tailoring an opening sentence to the audience.

What are transitions in an essay?

• Sentences that provide all the details in the essay. (Almost correct)  Explanation: Transitions guide readers, but they don’t contain all details.

• Words or phrases that connect ideas. (Correct)  Explanation: The essay defines transitions as tools for moving between ideas.

• Transitions confuse readers to keep them engaged. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: This contradicts the essay’s focus on clarity.

• Transitions are unnecessary in essays. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: The essay highlights the importance of transitions for understanding.

What is an “essay map”?

• A way to confuse the reader. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: The essay emphasizes clarity, not confusion.

• A summary of the entire essay. (Almost correct)  Explanation: An essay map outlines the main points but doesn’t summarize the essay.

• A guide that outlines the main points in the body paragraphs. (Correct)  Explanation: The essay defines an essay map as part of the thesis sentence that directs the body.

• A literal map drawn to organize ideas. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: The term is metaphorical, not literal.

What phrase does the author suggest to begin a conclusion?

• I am done writing now. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: This phrase is informal and unprofessional.

• Conclusions are unnecessary. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: The essay stresses the importance of conclusions.

• However, next, or moreover. (Almost correct)  Explanation: These are transitional phrases for body paragraphs, not conclusions.

• Finally, overall, or in summary. (Correct)  Explanation: The essay explicitly recommends these phrases to signal the end.

Why is a solid conclusion important?

• It signals that the essay is complete. (Correct)  Explanation: The essay states that a conclusion lets readers know the writing has ended.

• It is optional if the essay is long enough. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: The essay argues that a conclusion is essential for clarity.

• It contains new ideas. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: A conclusion should summarize, not introduce new ideas.

• It confuses the reader on purpose. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: The essay focuses on clarity, not confusion.

What is the purpose of personal insight in a conclusion?

• Personal insight is unnecessary. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: The essay highlights its importance for connection.

• To criticize the audience. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: The essay promotes constructive writing, not criticism.

• To rewrite the introduction. (Almost correct)  Explanation: A conclusion may echo the introduction but adds personal insight.

• To share the writer’s thoughts and experiences. (Correct)  Explanation: The essay suggests adding personal insight to make conclusions impactful.

What is the overall message of the essay?

• Writing is not a useful skill. (Opposite of correct)  Explanation: This contradicts the essay’s purpose.

• Writing is only for students. (Obviously incorrect)  Explanation: The essay implies writing is valuable for everyone.

• Learning the writing process can make life easier and more successful. (Correct)  Explanation: This is the main argument of the essay.

• Writing helps you pass exams. (Almost correct)  Explanation: While true, the essay emphasizes broader applications.