Writing Basics
 

[B]1.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][/B][B]Writing Basics[/B]

[B]Getting Started[/B]

[LIST][*]Let your prewriting guide you.[*]Focus on your ideas and how to organize them.[*]Write rapidly and use your natural writing voice.[/LIST][B]Understanding the Parts[/B]


[B]Your first draft will have three parts. Here are your goals for each part:[/B]
[LIST][*]Beginning: Capture your reader's attention and state your focus.[*]Middle: Provide your main points and details.[*]Ending: Bring the writing to a thoughtful close.[/LIST][B]1.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][/B][B]The Beginning[/B]
[B]Writing Your Beginning Paragraph[/B]

When you write your beginning, do the following things:
[LIST][*]Capture your reader's attention.[*]State your focus.[/LIST][ATTACH]2011[/ATTACH]

[B]Capturing the Reader's Attention[/B]

Here are several strategies for capturing the reader's attention:
[LIST][*]Start with a question.[*]Start with a surprising fact.[*]Start with a quotation.[*]Start with an anecdote (perhaps how you became interested in the subject).[/LIST][ATTACH]2012[/ATTACH]

[B]Stating Your Focus[/B]

Most writing has a focus statement, a sentence that tells what the writing is about.
[LIST][*]A narrative essay, an expository essay, or a research report has a thesis statement.[*]A persuasive essay has an opinion statement.[/LIST] (Fictional narratives create a focus by establishing a setting, main characters, and a conflict.)

[ATTACH]2013[/ATTACH]

[B]1.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][/B][B]The Middle[/B]


[B]Writing Your Middle Paragraphs[/B]

Each middle paragraph presents one main point (or reason). Here’s how to write each middle paragraph:
[LIST][*]Start with a topic sentence.[*]Add supporting details.[*]Use transitions to connect ideas.[*]Provide an ending sentence.[/LIST] Let your outline guide you as you write your middle paragraphs.

[ATTACH]2014[/ATTACH]

[B]Understanding Transitions[/B]

Transitions are words or phrases that connect ideas. They can do the following:
[LIST][*]Show location[*]Show time[*]Compare ideas[*]Contrast ideas[*]Emphasize a point[*]Conclude or summarize[*]Add information[*]Clarify[/LIST][B]Using Transitions[/B]

You can use transitions both within and between paragraphs.
[LIST][*]Within paragraphs, transitions connect supporting details.[*]Between paragraphs, transitions connect main ideas.[/LIST][ATTACH]2015[/ATTACH]

[B]1.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][/B][B]The End[/B]

[B]Writing Your Ending Paragraph[/B]

When you write your ending paragraph, do the following three things:
[LIST][*]Restate your focus.[*]Summarize main points or reasons.[*]Leave the reader with something to think about.[/LIST] If you are writing a persuasive essay, include a call to action.

[ATTACH]2016[/ATTACH]

[B]1.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][/B][B]Tips and Tricks[/B]

[B]Getting Unstuck[/B]


If you're having trouble getting started, try some of these techniques.
[LIST][*]Start by writing about your topic nonstop for five minutes. This is called freewriting.[*]Write as if you were talking about your topic to friends.[*]Talk about your topic into a tape recorder and play it back, writing down what you like.[/LIST] After you finish your first draft, set it aside for a little while before beginning the next step in the process—revising.:)

(Hope its more helpful then its size;))