New Page 1

   Mr. Schumacher
              The Magic of Language Arts
Big Stuff Calendar    Unit 5 Education Links

It's Magic

Writing Process

Note: If you are assigned a specific number of words, MicrosoftWord can easily count the total number of words, paragraphs, etc.

Select your subject and decide on your point of view:(sometimes this is selected for you.
• cause and effect,
• compare and contrast,
• persuasive,
• or some other viewpoint.
The thesis is your statement of purpose for writing. The thesis should be one sentence in length. This is the foundation of your essay and it will serve to guide you in writing the entire paper. Don’t begin to write your essay until you have a clear thesis. {Remember; topic/why?/opinion}
Gather all factual information using guidelines for documentation and works cited, i.e., The Modern Language Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (MLA) or The Chicago Manual of Style (also known as Turabian). (If you are required to use a format different than MLA or Chicago, check with your librarian for formatting guidelines.)
Consider all potential explanations, rating them in order of importance or relevance to the thesis.
Assemble collected facts to support each explanation.
Prepare an outline arranging the explanations in the best order for the desired effect. The purpose of an outline is to make your task easier. As you write your outline, ask yourself whether each idea serves to clarify and strengthen the thesis. Use the sample outline by inserting your specific information into the outline structure.
Write a rough draft of the essay, saving at least two copies to your hard disk or H-Drive.
Lay the paper aside, if you have an opportunity.
Proofread later with a fresh perspective; the computer can check spelling errors easily. Check Document Spelling. Be aware that sometimes a word is correctly spelled but used incorrectly in a particular sentence. It is still important to proofread after the spell check. Grammar check can also be used, but be careful.
Print the final copy.

You can write your information directly in "Word" and even add pictures.

Then turn your writing into a html document by simply saving it as a html file in your web folder.

Essay Outline Sample

Introduction
1. Get the reader’s attention by asking a leading question; relay something enticing about the subject in a manner that commands attention. Start with a related quote, alluring description, or narration.
2. State the thesis—the causes and effects to be discussed; comparison of subject X and subject Y; your position on the issue; your proposal if applicable; and the main points that will develop your argument.
Body
1. First Point, Assertion, Explanation
  1. Supporting evidence (examples, facts, statistics, quoted authorities, details, reasons, examples)
  2. Supporting evidence
2. Second explanation
  1. Support
  2. Support
3. Third explanation
  1. Support
  2. Support
4. Fourth explanation (continue as above with additional explanations as needed.)
  1. Support
  2. Support
5. Your proposal (if applicable)
6. Address opposing viewpoints
Conclusion
1. Show how explanations (causes) are logical reasons producing the effects discussed; review subject X and subject Y; reiterate your assertion and proposition (if applicable). Reemphasize your thesis in a fresh way, showing how you have achieved your purpose. If you intend to draw to a conclusion about one subject over the other, emphasize that point.
2. Deal with opposing views unless done above in Section F.
3. Appeal to the reader to see how you have come to a logical conclusion.
4. Make a memorable final statement.
  
  Back to Mr. Schu's page