Exam Prep Notes: Writing and Revision Process

Deadlines & Submissions

  • Final Paper and All Drafts Due: Next class session.
  • Late Submissions: Earlier drafts can be submitted with a late token/penalty until the final is due. No drafts accepted after the final due date.
  • Major Writing Assignments (MWA): Three major assignments must be submitted to pass the course. Failure to submit a final draft of any MWA results in failure for the class.
  • Final Draft Submission: Submit to "MWA One Personal Essay Final Draft" Dropbox; location details provided (Content > Module 1 > MWA one personal essay final draft OR Dropbox > Major Writing Assignments > MWA one personal essay final draft).

Discussion & Reflection

  • Writing Process: Reflect on learning, changes in writing process, and personal growth as a writer.
  • Self-Discovery: Writing can improve understanding of oneself as a writer and foster self-belief.
  • Personalized Process: Identify what works (e.g., breaking down tasks) and what doesn't (e.g., brainstorming) for your writing style.

Writing Process: Key Stages

1. Titles

  • Grab Attention: Titles should engage the reader.
  • Match Tone: Align the title's tone (e.g., funny, serious) with the essay's tone.
  • Source Ideas: Reread main ideas, look for images or metaphors (e.g., Berry's "sanctuary of school," Gazansky's "gritty all day").
  • Types: Single word, image/metaphor, shock value/humor (if appropriate).
  • Keep it Simple: Avoid long, jargony titles; shorter is generally better unless referencing a known trope.
  • Test Titles: Generate multiple options, read them with the paper, and seek feedback.

2. Structural Review (Zoom Out)

  • Overall Flow: Check the paper's overarching structure and whether it supports the main idea after all changes.
  • Methods:
    • PowerPoint Review: Copy each paragraph to a slide; easily rearrange to check flow.
    • Highlighter Review: Use different colors for main ideas, topic sentences, supporting ideas, and details to visualize content balance.
    • Narrative Essay Checklist: Ensure clear unifying idea, supporting paragraphs contribute, effective story arrangement (chronological/non-chronological), clear transitions, and an engaging conclusion.

3. Sentence-Level Editing (Zoom In)

  • Sentence Variety: Use a mix of cumulative (main point early) and periodic (main point at end, builds suspense) sentences purposefully.
  • Sentence Fragments: Fix accidental fragments; use purposeful fragments for impact, ensuring they make sense and are read aloud to check effectiveness.
  • Word Choice: Select the strongest, most descriptive word that fits the context, rather than just large words. Prioritize clarity and impact (e.g., "tasty" instead of "good").

4. Proofreading

  • Timing: Save proofreading for the final stage to avoid wasted effort on deleted content.
  • Strategies:
    • Take a Break: Step away from the paper to gain a fresh perspective.
    • Know Your Flaws: Make a list of common errors to target during review.
    • Change Format: Change font, color, or size to trick the brain into seeing the text anew.
    • Read Aloud: Catch awkward phrasing or missing words (can use text-to-speech tools).
    • Focus on One Thing: Check for one type of error (e.g., MLA, then commas) at a time.
    • Read Backwards: Review sentences from end to beginning to disrupt familiarity.
  • Common Proofreading Issues:
    • Capitalization: First letter of sentences, titles (check MLA guide), avoiding capitalization of common nouns (e.g., "high school").
    • Punctuation: Periods at sentence end, commas after introductory phrases (e.g., "For example,"), punctuation inside quotation marks (U.S. standard).
    • MLA Formatting: Indent paragraphs, no extra spaces between paragraphs.
    • Missing Words: Read carefully for small omitted words (e.g., "in," "a").
    • Spelling: Check common small word misspellings (e.g., "can't" vs. "can").
  • Resources: Use Purdue OWL for MLA, Grammar Girl for grammar questions.