Effective Writing

Welcome to the effective writing section of the blog!  Below you will find some hints and tips to help you write effectively here at Alverno College.

Process-Oriented Writing vs. Product-Oriented Writing

•  How the paper is written  vs.

•  Is it done yet?? 

 1) Prevision, 2) Vision, 3) Revision

     1) Prevision: What is the general picture? What's the topic? Purpose? What do you already know? What needs to be researched? Examples: brainstorming, free writing...Or:

 Clustering or Mapping:

 How to make this more specific: Benefits of Walking

2) Vision (or drafting):  The collecting of research, your outline, and any other notes you would like to include.
 Now to the actual writing: Just do it.  Don't worry about spelling, grammar, etc; throw it all out there.  It's up to you where you begin.

3) Revision: Sit on it for a day then come back and read it--out loud.  First off, does it make sense? Is there enough support? Is it obvious what exactly you're trying to say? Do you have a thesis? Transitions? What's your tone like?

   Editing: Here's where you do the nitty-gritty work.  Print it off, don't read off the computer screen.  Double check spelling, grammar, etc.

   Feedback: Have a friend read your work.
   After receiving the paper back from your teacher, make sure to read through his or her comments to learn what you are good at and what you need to improve on.

Moore, J. (2005). Process-Oriented Writing Handout. Milwaukee, WI: Alverno College.

 APT: Audience, Purpose, Technique


Audience:  
 Who are you writing to? Envision this person or people sitting across from you.  What are your assumptions? Why should they be interested in what you have to say?


Purpose:  

What's the purpose of this piece? Why are you writing it? What is your ultimate goal? Be prepared to refute arguments.  If it's a persuasive essay you're writing, do you give enough evidence to support your thesis?


Technique:  

How will you make it believable and compelling to the target audience? Tone/style..etc.

Berenson, M. (2011). APT Handout. Milwaukee, WI: Alverno College.

Don't be a bore: If you're bored with the topic you're writing about, it's time to find one you are interested in.  The reader will know whether you put the time and the effort into the paper.  If you don't have a choice with the topic you're writing about...make it interesting! Remember: YOU'RE the writer.