Writing Process Workshop

This workshop introduces students to various aspects of the writing process through writing activities an class discussion.  The goal of the workshop is to make students aware of their own writing process and to benefit from the collective knowledge of their peers. 

Introduction

  • To start, we'll talk about who we are and what we do at the writing center.

Freewrite

  • Now, we're going to ask you to do a little freewriting.  Get as much on paper as you can.  Think about
    • What you do when you write a paper
    • You process or timeline for writing
  • Now, we'll brainstorm your answers and see how different people write differently.

Prewriting

  • The first stage to writing is called "prewriting."
  • We'll talk about how you prewrite to get your ideas going.
  • In addition to freewriting, we will try doing a little brainstorming.
  • Now, we'll ask you to break into small groups and ask yourselves, "What makes good writing?"

Drafting / Writing

  • At this point, we're going to brainstorm your answers to the previous question, "What makes good writing?"
  • We'll ask you to focus on how writing happens somewhere between your brain and the paper or computer in front of you.
  • Now, we want to talk about MAPS, a way of thinking about the context you write in, as well as the context it will be read in, and how these contexts contribute to good (pre)writing.

Revising and Editing

  • We want you to think of the writing process as being recursive--it draws upon itself, so that different stages (prewriting, writing, revising, and editing) take place at different, varied times spontaneously.
  • We also want you to think about giving yourself time to write.
    • Wtihout enough time, you can't properly take part in the full writing process.
  • Now, we'll talk about how revising and editing do not have to simply be the final stages of your writing, but rather a constant process throughout all the stages.

Final Q&A

  • Finally, we'll wrap up our discussion, and take any questions that you may have.
  • We'll also talk about how the writing center is here to help you through your own writing process, at any stage.