A portfolio essay is required for each unit.  As well, a test week essay assignment will be given the week the portfolio is due.  Both of these writing assignments must be completed using the writing process.  Hand-outs for specifics assignments will be given in class.  Below is an overview of the writing process. 

Writing Process Overview

Writing skills are developed over time and like anything else are only improved with practice and learning. Since writing involves many complex skills and thought processes, to approach writing as a process is one way to become empowered as a writer. When using a process to write, the end product becomes a piece that has been refined and reflected upon, rather than just a representation of initial thoughts. One writing process includes six steps which are the following:

1. Pre-write: First step is to develop ideas and put them onto paper in the form of a cluster, quick-write, outline or any other format which involves a multitude of brainstorming ideas.

2. Draft: The second step involves putting the pre-write ideas into the proper format (essay, poem, letter, etc.) and organizing thoughts in a cohesive and logical manner.

3. Response: The third step involves getting feedback from someone else (peer, teacher, parent or yourself as the writer). Response or standards pages may be used for this step. Answer questions about the writing such as the following:

• do you understand the main point of my piece?

• are there enough examples to support my main idea?

• is the format organized and does it make sense?

• is the vocabulary descriptive, vivid and clear?

• are the introduction, body and concluding paragraphs properly developed?

4. Revision: The fourth step involves re-working the piece and making improvements based on the suggestions given in the response step. Add and/or delete writing as necessary.

5. Editing: The fifth step is the clean-up step. Fix any spelling, grammar, and mechanical errors. Pay attention to vocabulary and sentence structure and make sure that a variation of both is included in the writing.

6. Publishing: The last step is to present the final product to the reader in a neat, clean copy. The writing should be as close to perfect as possible after working all the steps in the writing process which will result in a writer who is proud of his or her work.