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Writing : Planning Your Writing
Planning Your Writing (Module 1 of 3)
Planning is the first stage in writing. Your plan is the foundation that your writing is built on. Planning your writing involves first understanding the assignment, brainstorming ideas, organizing your thoughts in a structured form, and creating an argument.
Top Tips
- Be clear about what the assignment requires. Carefully read the assignment before you start writing.
- Make sure you understand the directions you are given.Be sure that you can distinguish between the command words that are used. For example, ‘discuss’ is different from ‘critique’.
- Test your argument or claim.Does it make your reader ask why? If not, revise it until it does.
- Give yourself sufficient time.You will need time to do your thinking, researching, writing, and revising.
- Underline the keywords in the assignment.Make sure you are not missing a key part of what you are being asked to do.
- Turn off the critical mind.Let your ideas flow and record them.
- Group ideas together. Read your ideas and find the major categories.
- Identify a pointTry to identify a point that you want to make with your ideas.
- Ask and answer ‘why?’Your reader make be asking why when you are writing, so make sure you are also thinking of “why” you are making this point or giving this piece of information.
- Organize your ideasCreate an organizer that captures your ideas in a form that works for you.
Planning your essay: 3 sub-modules
Additional Resources
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Information Text Structures Opens in a new windowUse this tip sheet to think about how you will structure the text of your essay.
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Key Terms in Essay Assignments Opens in a new windowUse this tip sheet as a reference to help you understand the key terms in your essay assignments.
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Brainstorming Tips Opens in a new windowUse this tip sheet to improve your brainstorming.
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Essay Planner Opens in a new windowUse this outline template to plan your essay.
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Graphic Organizers Opens in a new windowUse this tip sheet for help deciding which graphic organizer best suits your needs.
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Checklist for Creating an Effective Thesis Statement - Opens in a new windowUse this checklist to ensure that you are writing a clear and effective thesis statement.
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Thesis Statement Tip Sheet Opens in a new windowUse this tip sheet for help writing thesis statements.