The Writing Process- Pre-Writing

Category 1

100

Brainstorming is a) a type of prewriting that encourages you to follow your thoughts. b) a process very similar to barnstorming. c) a new approach to revising.

What is a) a type of prewriting that encourages you to follow your thoughts.

200

For clustering, after you write your topic in the middle of a sheet of paper and draw a circle around it, what do you do next? a) First, write the words that come to mind about your topic and put a circle around each; then draw a line between the main circle and its dependent circles. b) Check for grammar or spelling errors. c) Draw a line between the main circle and its dependent circles.

What is a) First, write the words that come to mind about your topic and put a circle around each; then draw a line between the main circle and its dependent circles.

300

Luanne did a freewriting entry in her journal that was not prompted by any assignment. Read what she wrote, and then answer the questions. Such a dope. That's me. Always be nice. Always be there for everyone. Always smile. Always the friendly word and the happy face. Always try to look my best. I'm doing just fine, and you? Oh, couldn't be better. Here, let me help. Oh, I'll cook dinner. Feed the cat. Pick up the dry cleaning. Always the good daughter, the good friend, the good student. The one to count on. Give, give, give. Everyone wants something from me. Call me, Luanne. Help me, Luanne. No one should know this, but I want someone to do for Luanne once in a while. I don't mind giving to others. But I want a little getting once in a while as well. Luanne’s freewriting has numerous sentence fragments. Is this acceptable? a) No, and if Luanne would calm down, her writing would improve. b) Yes, a writer shouldn't worry about grammar when freewriting. c) No, freewriting does not mean writing fragments. d) Yes, because she's so emotional.

What is b)Yes, a writer shouldn't worry about grammar when freewriting.

500

What audience should you write for? a) Write for a general audience—people with an average amount of knowledge on most subjects. b) Write for both your instructor and a general audience. c) Write for your instructor.

What is b)Write for both your instructor and a general audience.

Category 2

100

When you freewrite, a) punctuation is not important, but spelling is. b) correct punctuation is important. c) neither spelling nor punctuation is important.

What is c) neither spelling nor punctuation is important Do not worry about spelling or punctuation when you freewrite.

200

Prewriting is any activity that a) helps you check your grammar. b) helps you spell correctly. c) stimulates your thinking as you approach a writing task.

What is c)stimulates your thinking as you approach a writing task.

300

Luanne did a freewriting entry in her journal that was not prompted by any assignment. Read what she wrote, and then answer the questions. Such a dope. That's me. Always be nice. Always be there for everyone. Always smile. Always the friendly word and the happy face. Always try to look my best. I'm doing just fine, and you? Oh, couldn't be better. Here, let me help. Oh, I'll cook dinner. Feed the cat. Pick up the dry cleaning. Always the good daughter, the good friend, the good student. The one to count on. Give, give, give. Everyone wants something from me. Call me, Luanne. Help me, Luanne. No one should know this, but I want someone to do for Luanne once in a while. I don't mind giving to others. But I want a little getting once in a while as well. Luanne did this freewrite in a section of her journal marked "Personal." Is it a good idea to divide your journal into sections? a) Of course, if that's what you want to do. b) No, simply date your journal entries. c) Yes, but what's the purpose? d) It's not a good idea unless your teacher suggests it.

What is a) Of course, if that's what you want to do.

400

Focused freewriting is a) not really freewriting at all. b) much more difficult than freewriting. c) freewriting on a specific topic.

What is c) freewriting on a specific topic.

500

To begin a clustering diagram, get a blank piece of paper, turn it sideways, a) and list possible topics for writing. b) make three columns, and write your topic at the top of each. c) write your topic in the middle, and draw a circle around it.

What is c) write your topic in the middle, and draw a circle around it.

Category 3

100

Which of the following is not a part of prewriting? a) exploring a subject b) considering your audience c) checking your work for strong verbs

What is c) checking your work for strong verbs

200

Luanne did a freewriting entry in her journal that was not prompted by any assignment. Read what she wrote, and then answer the questions. Such a dope. That's me. Always be nice. Always be there for everyone. Always smile. Always the friendly word and the happy face. Always try to look my best. I'm doing just fine, and you? Oh, couldn't be better. Here, let me help. Oh, I'll cook dinner. Feed the cat. Pick up the dry cleaning. Always the good daughter, the good friend, the good student. The one to count on. Give, give, give. Everyone wants something from me. Call me, Luanne. Help me, Luanne. No one should know this, but I want someone to do for Luanne once in a while. I don't mind giving to others. But I want a little getting once in a while as well. In this freewriting sample, Luanne is a) having a pity party. b) not using freewriting the way it's supposed to be used. c) using freewriting to confront a personal issue. d) whining when she should stop being a doormat

What is c) using freewriting to confront a personal issue

300

October 1, 2008 I'm so glad I talked to John about my idea for next week's writing assignment. We're supposed to write a paragraph about a book we would recommend to the rest of the class. I like to read and have a bunch of books I really liked. I was going to suggest a book by Danielle Steele, but as John pointed out, guys don't read her books. Which is a good point. I should probably suggest something that everyone would like. So nix the romance authors. John suggested Marley and Me, which I read and liked. He said it would be good to do because the movie just came out. But I think that's a reason not to do it. A lot of people aren't going to want to read something they can see at the movies. So I have to come up with another book. Maybe I'll think of some titles and call my sister. Can Alyssa use discussing as a prewriting strategy for papers in other courses? a)Yes, she can use discussing as a prewriting strategy in other courses. b)In fact, she can use any prewriting strategy for papers in other courses. c)Prewriting strategies can be used to get ideas for any kind of writing you do, not just college writing. d)Prewriting strategies work for all writing now and in the future.

What is d)Prewriting strategies work for all writing now and in the future.

400

How do you do questioning? a) The technique is too complicated to explain in a sentence. b) Write the questions down the left margin of your paper, and then fill in the answers. c) Simply ask yourself the questions.

What is b)Write the questions down the left margin of your paper, and then fill in the answers.

500

The teacher said, "Write for four minutes without stopping." Read what Malcolm produced, and then answer the questions. I was told to keep writing, to not stop making words, to write without worrying whether I was making mistakes. If I can't think of anything to write, I should just write, "I cannot think of anything to write." I cannot think of anything to write. I cannot think of anything to write. I cannot think of anything to write. [Malcolm repeated that sentence twenty-three more times before the four minutes were up.] Does this freewriting response follow the teacher's directions? a) Yes, it does. b) No, Malcolm is being sarcastic. c) Half of it does. d) No, Malcolm isn't genuinely trying.

What is a)Yes, it does.

Category 4

100

How much time should you spend in a brainstorming session? a) Write until you have at least 500 words. b) Spend at least 20 minutes. c) There is no time limit or word limit.

What is c) There is no time limit or word limit.

200

Luanne did a freewriting entry in her journal that was not prompted by any assignment. Read what she wrote, and then answer the questions. Such a dope. That's me. Always be nice. Always be there for everyone. Always smile. Always the friendly word and the happy face. Always try to look my best. I'm doing just fine, and you? Oh, couldn't be better. Here, let me help. Oh, I'll cook dinner. Feed the cat. Pick up the dry cleaning. Always the good daughter, the good friend, the good student. The one to count on. Give, give, give. Everyone wants something from me. Call me, Luanne. Help me, Luanne. No one should know this, but I want someone to do for Luanne once in a while. I don't mind giving to others. But I want a little getting once in a while as well. How can freewriting be used for personal reasons? a) Freewriting allows you to confront personal issues. b) Freewriting can allow you to solve problems. c) Freewriting can help you discover how you think about something. d) All of these are good personal reasons to freewrite.

What is d) All of these are good personal reasons to freewrite.

300

Is grammar important when you freewrite? a) sometimes b) no c) yes

What is b) no

400

Your audience is a) the people for whom you are writing. b) people who attend an event, such as a movie. c) people of all ages.

What is a) the people for whom you are writing.

500

The teacher said, "Write for four minutes without stopping." Read what Malcolm produced, and then answer the questions. I was told to keep writing, to not stop making words, to write without worrying whether I was making mistakes. If I can't think of anything to write, I should just write, "I cannot think of anything to write." I cannot think of anything to write. I cannot think of anything to write. I cannot think of anything to write. [Malcolm repeated that sentence twenty-three more times before the four minutes were up.] Malcolm's freewriting exercise demonstrates a) that he is a complete failure. b) that he is a complete success. c) that he understands the freewriting process, and it may work for him in the future. d) that he was not willing to try the freewriting process.

What is c)that he understands the freewriting process, and it may work for him in the future.

Category 5

100

What are the first and second steps in brainstorming? a) List words that come to mind, and write a title. b) Write your topic at the top of the page, and then simply list all the words that come to mind. c) Write your topic at the top of the page, and then number your pages.

What is b) Write your topic at the top of the page, and then simply list all the words that come to mind.

200

Luanne did a freewriting entry in her journal that was not prompted by any assignment. Read what she wrote, and then answer the questions. Such a dope. That's me. Always be nice. Always be there for everyone. Always smile. Always the friendly word and the happy face. Always try to look my best. I'm doing just fine, and you? Oh, couldn't be better. Here, let me help. Oh, I'll cook dinner. Feed the cat. Pick up the dry cleaning. Always the good daughter, the good friend, the good student. The one to count on. Give, give, give. Everyone wants something from me. Call me, Luanne. Help me, Luanne. No one should know this, but I want someone to do for Luanne once in a while. I don't mind giving to others. But I want a little getting once in a while as well.Personal freewriting can still serve as prewriting for a writing assignment. In fact, in this case, Luanne did use her freewriting for a writing assignment. Which of these topics could have come from her freewrite? a) setting personal boundaries b) time-saving tips c) friendship d) the art of giving and giving

What is a) setting personal boundaries

300

When you brainstorm, you a) write in complete sentences. b) write words and phrases. c) write in paragraphs.

What is b)write words and phrases.

400

How is freewriting useful as a prewriting activity? a) Freewriting is a good way to expand your vocabulary. b) Freewriting is a good way to improve your concentration. c) Freewriting is a good way to get ideas.

What is c)Freewriting is a good way to get ideas.

500

The teacher said, "Write for four minutes without stopping." Read what Malcolm produced, and then answer the questions. I was told to keep writing, to not stop making words, to write without worrying whether I was making mistakes. If I can't think of anything to write, I should just write, "I cannot think of anything to write." I cannot think of anything to write. I cannot think of anything to write. I cannot think of anything to write. [Malcolm repeated that sentence twenty-three more times before the four minutes were up.] 3. Malcolm showed his freewriting to his teacher and asked for advice. Which of the following do you think his teacher suggested? a)Write for a longer time—thirty to forty-five minutes, if necessary. b)Try writing for very short periods of time—a minute or two at the most. c)Try starting with a specific topic; then move to other topics as they occur to you. d)Both writing in short bursts and starting with a specific topic might work for Malcolm.

What is d)Both writing in short bursts and starting with a specific topic might work for Malcolm