Writing+Workshop



How do you begin writing an essay? What is the first thing you do? Answer this question on your own on your Chapter 7 page of your virtual notebook, then share with the people at your table.
 * Do Now:**

**The Writing Process** is split up into different stages:


 * __Stage 1)__ Prewriting:** Where you plan what you are going to write
 * Choose a topic or break down the assigned question
 * Identify the purpose and audience
 * Brainstorm ideas by using a graphic organizer or a mind map
 * Organize information in an outline

__Directions__: Choose one of the sample essay questions below and with a partner, complete the first stage of the writing process**.**

1) Is Andrew Jackson's policy of Indian removal a responsible effort for the benefit of all or is the policy a violation of the Constitution?

2) Although the power of the national government increased during the early republic, this development often faced serious opposition. Compare and contrast the motives and effectiveness of those opposed to the growing power of the national government in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and the Nullification Crisis in 1832-1833.

With a partner, do the following on your wikispace: 1) break down how you are going to answer the question 2) identify the purpose and the audience 3) brainstorm ideas 4) organize your information

You may want to use a graphic organizer, like the one below, to help you brainstorm and organize your information

growing power of national government ||  ||   || opposing the growing power of national government ||  ||   ||
 * || Whiskey Rebellion 1794 || Nullification Crisis 1832-1833 ||
 * Motives to opposing
 * Effectiveness in

__**Stage 2**__ - **Drafting:** Writing your ideas in paragraph form
 * Follow your outline to help you write your essay, starting off with an introduction
 * Work from your **PLAN** to develop your **thesis statement,** which you put at the end of your introduction
 * In your thesis statement, take a stand on one side of the topic (this is what you are going to prove throughout your essay)
 * No first person ("I think"; "I believe"; "In my opinion")
 * Always include evidence (historical facts, key terms, historical figures) to support your thesis
 * Analyze your evidence to show how it proves your thesis by first explaining what your evidence is about, and then connect it back to your thesis
 * Include a conclusion at the end of your paragraph - restate your thesis and summarize the main idea of your essay

With the same partner, write a thesis statement to answer the sample essay question on your wikispace.


 * __Stage 3__ - Revising:** The first part of editing your writing
 * Self-monitor while you are writing
 * Once you finish explaining and analyzing a piece of evidence, stop and go back to make sure you are getting your point across and proving your thesis statement
 * Be sure to check and make sure you have included transition sentences between paragraphs to connect the paragraphs together

__**Stage 4**__ - **Proofreading:** Finishing your editing and polishing your writing
 * Check for errors in spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation
 * Go back to your outline and check to see if you have followed the order throughout your essay
 * Evaluate your essay - did you cover all of the material that the assignment asked for?

__**Stage 5**__ - **Publishing:** Presenting your writing
 * After you've completed the previous four stages, print out your essay and hand it in!