Topic 2-- The Writing Process
Introduction
In the last unit we learned about what storyboards were and why they are useful in the classroom. Prewriting refers to many different types of activities in which the writer engages in before using pen and paper or even setting their fingers on the keyboard. Prewriting is the process of creating and recording ideas. The main difference between this stage and planning is that it is the creative phase rather than the more critical phase of planning. In planning, the writer considers and throw-outs ideas.
When we teach prewriting, we often focus on writing activities, or some sort of verbal process, such as responding to another text or another person's ideas. In a real-world writing situation a writer will write because they feel required to say something in writing, prewriting may include reading unpublished or published print text or an internet webpage, partaking in a conversation, hearing or viewing a news story or dramatic production, conversing with friends, attending a speech or other formal presentation, etc.
When we are in the classroom, prewriting includes an introduction of the material or the occasion for writing. One thing that students can do is keep a journal. This can be used as a useful connection between reading or other classroom activities and writing, and many teachers assign reading-response journals or personal writing journals as daily or weekly writing activities. A journal may be used, then, as a reference of ideas for further development in more formal writing assignments.
Teaching prewriting practices in the classroom will give each student a collection of practices for getting started on writing or overcoming writer's block. It’s important to think about prewriting activities that don't use words as well. Drawing, listening to music, and working with simple models can help aid students in generating ideas for a writing project.
Before we begin this unit, take five to ten minutes to try some freewriting. Using a pen and paper or sitting at the computer, write everything that comes to your mind. The important thing to do here is keep writing. If you can't think of anything to write, just simply write, "I can't think of anything to write. I can't think of anything to write," until your brain starts focusing on something new. If you can set a timer or ask someone else to time you, you won't have to pay attention to the time and you will be able to focus more on your writing.
Objectives
By the end of this unit you should be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- Brainstorm ideas that will help generate ideas for a storyboard
- Learn how ask questions before starting a storyboard and think about the 5 W's (Who?, What?, When?, Where?, Why?
- Think of a topic that you are interested in creating a storyboard for
- Make a diagram that lists thoughts pertaining to a topic of your choice
Lessons
To get started, click on lesson I below.
Topic 2--Lesson I--Brainstorming
Topic 2--Lesson III--Picking a topic
Topic 2--Lesson IV--Making Diagrams
Continue to Topic 3-- Creating the Storyboard.
Return to Benefits of Storyboarding for Online Learning Course.
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