Prewriting & Outlines

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Prewriting is thinking!

• Why do we pre-write?– Prevent writer’s block

– Builds confidence – Sparks creativity – Tells you when to quit – Open your mind

Prewriting Methods #1 of 3—Brainstorming - Listing

—Example: Obstacles to your education Time, money, friends,

energy, books, teacher, parents, tuition, classes

—Freewriting Non-stop writing on a topic or a focused free writing on assigned subjects

—Invisible Writing On computer with monitor off

Goals

MarriageHouse

$$$

Ocean View

2 Kids

Vacation3-Bedroom

Job

Another pre-writing method: Clustering

PREWRITING METHODS #3 OF 3• Narrowing your Topic – Topic/subtopic [stress as topic]

world stress work stress

school stressstress relief

ways to reduce stress !• Outlining

– VERY IMPORTANT!!!

[usually last step in pre-writing]

OUTLINE - #1 of 4

• Thesis: Cuyamaca is an excellent choice for students.

• Topic Sentence #1– First of all, students save a lot of money

• Main Point #1 Tuition• Main Point #2 Parking• Main Point #3 Books

OUTLINE - #2 of 4

• Topic Sentence #2– Not only do students save money at

Cuyamaca, they also save time.• Main Point #1 Close to home• Main Point #2 Classes blocked together• Main Point #3 On-line classes

OUTLINE - #3 of 4

• Topic Sentence #3– Students also benefit from the close relations

they have with Cuyamaca teachers.• Main Point #1 Small class size• Main Point #2 Office hours• Main Point #3 Voice mail and e-mail

Outline #4 of 4

• Conclusion– Restate thesis in different words.

“Students get a great learning experience at Cuyamaca College.”