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 Entry Three: Expository Writing: The 8- Step Writing Process

"A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people." - Thomas Mann

Does writing feel like a chore? Then here are a few steps that will get you through with ease.

Step 1: Idea

An idea is needed. Have it clearly in your mind before moving forward. Get a topic or subject you want to write on. Use graphic organizers to highlight the topic and outline the supporting details. There are 5 types: sequence, problem/solution, description, cause/effects, and compare/contrast. My topic for the expository piece is Healthy and Unhealthy Foods

Step 2: Think

Think carefully about your audience (the readers). Ask the question, who am I writing for? What grade or age are you targeting or looking at? My intended audience will be children, ages 9- and 10-year-olds in Grade 4. What are their characteristics and need? Need to make the right choices when purchasing snacks and food from school vendors, supermarkets, and even when ordering at a restaurant. Need to know the benefits of healthy food and the negative effects of unhealthy foods. Identify good and bad choices and how to make the right decision. Practice the writing process. Practice sentence structure and formulating paragraphs. Need to express their ideas/thoughts and organize their information verbally and in writing.

Step 3: The idea and the reader

Narrow down the topic to Healthy versus Unhealthy Foods. The idea is narrowed into a focused topic involving comparing and contrasting

Step 4: Gather Information

Research on the chosen topic using information from various resources such as websites, online articles, videos, scholarly essays, books, pdf files, movies, observations, experiences, interviews, etc. When researching look for definitions, explanations and descriptions, causes, effects, similarities and differences, proposing and opposing stances,

Step 5: Study

Study the material. Select the important or relevant information from the research.  Select interesting parts, unique facts, or keynotes that will be presented in the written piece. Pay attention to accuracy, verifiable, objective, authoritative, and up-to-date.

Step 6: Design

Organize the selected information and give structure to the written piece so there is a sense of order and direction for your reader. Here is where concept maps can also be used to give a printed view or outline of your supporting details that will be used in the written piece.

Step 7: Write

Begin to write the information that was plotted out. Refer back to information that was gathered, studied, and organized. Write without stopping as this may interrupt the flow of your words or your train of thought. Write to make the information makes sense. Try to keep in mind, the grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and legibility of handwriting.

Step 8: Edit

Re-read what was written and check for grammatical errors and spelling errors in the written piece. Omit or replace words, phrases, and sentences at this point. Feel free to switch up sentences and enhance vocabulary words. Use synonyms and antonyms for simpler words to enhance speech.


These steps will guide a writer to producing a great written piece of work. Writing can be difficult at times and so we all need help to navigate our thoughts to paper. 




Comments

  1. Akima GeorgeDecember 9, 2022 at 10:37 AM

    These steps are very important for beginning writers who may be struggling with gathering ideas on a topic of interest. This will therefore give them more insights as to what they will be required to do to get from one step to another. It will also easy for teacher to model these steps to their students.

    ReplyDelete

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