Prewriting
also known as mapping or a web; write your general subject down in the middle of the paper; jot down sub-ideas and connect them with lines; visually use lines and circles to show how your ideas related to each other
What is clustering?
Read the sentence using the past perfect tense:
Megan _______________(want) to go to Italy.
Megan had wanted to go to Italy.
Read the sentence with the correct subjunctive mood (was/were):
I wish I ____________ able to climb down chimneys like Santa Claus.
I wish I were able to climb down chimneys like Santa Claus.
Fix the comma splice:
It was a rainy day we stayed inside.
It was a rainy day, so we stayed inside.
It was a rainy day. We stayed inside.
It was a rainy day; we stayed inside.
Fix the sentence:
An exhausted discouraged team limped into the locker room.
An exhausted, discouraged team limped into the locker room.
set a timer for 5 minutes; continuously write during that time period; do not pick up your pencil from the paper; stream-of-consciousness writing: write down whatever happens to be in your thoughts
What is freewriting?
Read the sentence using the past perfect tense:
The band ______________________(play) very well.
The band had played very well.
Read the sentence with the correct subjunctive mood (was/were):
If Santa _____________ here, he would envy my slim waist.
If Santa were here, he would envy my slim waist.
Fix the comma splice: He can go to the game, he can go to the movies.
He can go to the game, or he can go to the movies.
He can go to the game; he can go to the movies.
He can go to the game. He can go to the movies.
Fix the sentence:
Among the trees of the forest the deer ran gracefully.
Among the trees of the forest, the deer ran gracefully.
activity to help visual thinkers compose an overview of the topic they will then translate into words
What is drawing?
Read the sentence in the past perfect tense:
The artist____________________(create) a beautiful painting.
The had created a beautiful painting.
Read the sentence with the correct subjunctive mood (was/were):
Cousin Patty ______________ here last Christmas and gave me several presents.
Cousin Patty was here last Christmas and gave me several presents.
Fix the comma splice: As they entered the school, the fire alarm went off, everyone went outside.
As they entered the school, the fire alarm went off, and everyone went outside.
As they entered the school, the fire alarm went off. Everyone went outside.
As they entered the school, the fire alarm went off; everyone went outside.
Fix the sentence:
Although his best grade is in math he prefers history.
Although his best grade is in math, he prefers history.
use the journalist’s five Ws to prompt yourself to think more deeply on other aspects of your topic
What is asking questions?
Read the sentence in the past perfect tense:
I couldn’t eat much for dinner because I _____________(eat) a big lunch.
I couldn’t eat much for dinner because I had eaten a big lunch.
Read the sentence with the correct subjunctive mood (are/be):
You ____________ sitting in English Composition class.
You are sitting in English Composition class.
Fix the comma splice:
Throughout the school year, I want to play a sport, I want to join a club.
Throughout the school year, I want to play a sport, and I want to join a club.
Throughout the school year, I want to play a sport. I want to join a club.
Throughout the school year, I want to play a sport; I want to join a club.
Fix the sentence:
Quietly she creeped across the floor.
Quietly, she creeped across the floor.
stream-of-consciousness technique in which you rapidly record all ideas related to a general subject in a list-like format
What is brainstorming?
Read the sentence in the past perfect tense:
The house was quiet when Andrew got home. Everyone _________________(go) to bed several hours earlier.
The house was quiet when Andrew got home. Everyone had gone to bed several hours earlier.
Read the sentence with the correct subjunctive mood (are/be):
It is essential that you _________________ on time for class.
It is essential that you be on time for class.
Fix the comma splice: That's my favorite book, I love the part where they go to the beach, they have a crazy adventure!
That's my favorite book; I love the part where they go to the beach, and they have a crazy adventure!
That's my favorite book. I love the part where they go to the beach, and they have a crazy adventure!
That's my favorite book, so I love the part where they go to the beach, and they have a crazy adventure!
That's my favorite book, so I love the part where they go to the beach. They have a crazy adventure!
That's my favorite book, so I love the part where they go to the beach; they have a crazy adventure!
That's my favorite book. I love the part where they go to the beach. They have a crazy adventure!
That's my favorite book; I love the part where they go to the beach; they have a crazy adventure!
Fix the sentence:
Bailey lost her keys so she was locked out for hours.
Bailey lost her keys, so she was locked out for hours.