Marco Ponce Version 1 Year ‘06-‘07

Things to keep in mind as you go through the writing process

            1. Decide what aspect of the theme to tackle.

            2. Offer a definition for your theme and support it.

            3. Don’t veer into aimless thoughts.

            4. Avoid vague and contradicting points.

            5. Always keep in mind your audience.

            6. Provide readers with a new light to your theme.

1.1 Purpose and audience are closely linked.

You purpose is to be able to:

            • Inform someone of something

            • Persuade someone to believe/do something

            • Express feelings/insights to someone

            • Entertain someone

Tips on how to reach your intended audience:

            • You must be able to define that someone (the audience).

            • The words on the page carry your message.

            • Different readers call for different approaches.

            • Ask yourself what the reader might want to know or be interested in.

            • Ask yourself what needs and must be told/explained to the audience.

            • You need to search the “communal style” of the audiences.

1.2 Freshness, Style and Organization

A. Freshness

            􀂾 As you shape your paper, the writing should please you and your audience.

            􀂾 Satisfy your sense of good writing and what the writing task requires.

B. Style

            􀂾 Write in a clear style & strengthen it with vivid, forceful words that represent and support your stance and tone.

C. Organization

            􀂾 Intro – Sparks interest and acquaints the reader of what’s coming.

            􀂾 Body – Delivers the main message and exhibits a clear connection between ideas.

            􀂾 Conclusion – Ends discussion and satisfies the reader.

Marco Ponce Version 1 Year ‘06-‘07

Now You Can Buy the Book

If you enjoy learning the essentials of writing, you should get the book: Strategies for Successful Writing: A Rhetoric, Research Guide, Reader, and Handbook, Eight Edition, by Reinking & von der Osten. This book takes you far beyond the material here, with full discussions of how to fully understand and master a wide range of rhetorical devices, and how to use them effectively in modern writing. The book includes many annotated essay samples, as well as practice exercises, review questions, sample applications, and more material that guides you step by step on the proper use of the written medium. You can be proud of not only owning a college-level book but, also, perfectly knowing how to use the written language.

For more information and several ways to order, visit the Companion Website for the book.