Crafting a Paper 

Preparing for the Writing Task

Step 1: Analyze the prompt or writing task. Use the questions on the "Analyzing a Prompt" web page to help with this work.

Step 2: Seek to understand the writing situation. Is this a timed writing task? In-class essay? Multi-process paper? Who is my audience? What are the teacher's expectations? When is the paper due? Answers to these types of questions will inform the remaining steps.

Step 3: Complete all reading assignments before engaging in prewriting activities. It may be necessary to research the author or the historical/ rhetorical contexts.

Prewriting

Step 4: If appropriate, spend some time talking about the writing task. What will you write about? What decisions will you make about your writing? Explore ideas.

Step 5: Craft a workable thesis.

Step 6: Brainstorm ideas using a web cluster or concept map. Create a brainstorm on a piece of paper or use an online tool like Gliffy.com or a software program like Inspiration.

Step 7: Create an outline that offers a rough organization of the paper.

Drafting

Step 8: Complete a draft of the paper. The draft should address the prompt and include all parts of the prompt.

Workshop (Peer Review)

Step 9: Prepare four copies of your paper for your peers. Students should work in groups of four and discuss each paper for fifteen to twenty minutes. Learn more about workshops on the "Peer Review" web page.

Revising

Step 10: Once you receive feedback from your peers (and possibly your teacher), take the necessary time to revise--to see again--what you have written and make changes to content, structure, and mechanics.

Editing

Step 11: A good paper is well edited--free of spelling and grammar mistakes. Spend some time rereading your paper to ensure that the paper is free of errors. Use this last step to check your formatting.

Final Draft

Step 12: Look over your paper one last time. Save your work, email a copy of your paper to yourself, and print a copy for your teacher. And lastly, turn in your paper on time.