The Writing Process: Getting Started - Language Skills 6th for Kids!

Summary

In 'The Writing Process: Getting Started' video, Kylie introduces viewers to the five-step writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of writing and offers strategies for brainstorming ideas. Kylie encourages aspiring writers to embrace the drafting stage without worrying about perfection, highlighting that there's no single 'right' way to write. The video aims to demystify the writing process, making it less intimidating and more accessible.

Takeaways

• 📝 The writing process involves five main steps: Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing.
• 🎯 Prewriting is crucial for understanding the purpose of your writing and generating ideas.
• 💡 Knowing your writing purpose helps to keep your work focused and on topic.
• 📚 Different types of writing serve different purposes, such as teaching, storytelling, or expressing feelings.
• 📋 Brainstorming is an essential part of prewriting, allowing for free-flowing ideas without concern for structure.
• ✍️ Drafting is about turning your brainstormed ideas into a rough copy, which is also known as the first draft.
• 📈 The first draft is a work in progress and does not need to be perfect in terms of spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
• 🔄 There is no single correct way to draft; authors have various methods, such as writing in order or using notecards and rearranging.
• 📈 The drafting stage is about getting into a writing flow and not getting bogged down by details.
• 📈 The transition from a blank page to a rough draft is a significant achievement in the writing process.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video 'The Writing Process: Getting Started'?

The main focus of the video is to guide viewers through the process of writing, from generating ideas to creating a first draft, making the process less intimidating.

How many steps are there in the writing process as outlined in the video?

There are five main steps in the writing process: Prewriting or brainstorming, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing.

What is the purpose of the prewriting stage in the writing process?

The prewriting stage is where you consider everything you need to get started before writing your first draft. It involves understanding the purpose of your writing, which could be to teach, tell a story, or express feelings or ideas.

Why is it important to have a purpose for your writing?

Having a purpose for your writing helps to keep your writing focused and on topic. It guides the type of content you produce, whether it's a book report, an essay, a story, or a personal narrative.

What are some different types of writing one might engage in according to the video?

Different types of writing include book reports, essays, articles, interviews, dramatic plays, song lyrics, narrative poetry, fictional stories, personal narratives, letters, emails, creative poetry, and journal entries.

How does one generate ideas for writing according to the video?

One can generate ideas for writing by keeping a running list in a notebook, jotting down inspirations from things seen, heard, felt, or experienced, and then choosing from this list when ready to write.

What is brainstorming in the context of writing, and how does it differ from the final writing?

Brainstorming is an unpredictable and messy process where you take all ideas out of your brain and put them on paper or screen. It differs from final writing in that it does not require full sentences and is more about capturing ideas freely without concern for structure or correctness.

What is the drafting stage and what is its significance in the writing process?

The drafting stage is where you take your brainstormed notes and ideas to write the first copy or draft of your writing piece. It's significant as it transforms ideas into a rough form of the final work, allowing for later revisions and edits.

What advice does the video give regarding the approach to drafting?

The video suggests that there is no right or wrong way to draft. Some authors start at the beginning and write in order, while others may use notecards, graphic organizers, or start with the ending and work backward. The key is to write without stopping to fix errors.

How does the video encourage viewers to improve their language skills?

The video encourages viewers to improve their language skills by playing fun online games and quizzes, and by consistently practicing writing.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Introduction to the Writing Process

Kylie introduces viewers to 'The Writing Process: Getting Started,' a guide to help overcome the initial challenges of writing. She emphasizes that writing can seem daunting but it doesn't have to be. The video outlines the five main steps of the writing process: Prewriting (brainstorming), Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing. Kylie focuses on the first two steps, Prewriting and Drafting, explaining that Prewriting is the preparatory phase where writers consider their purpose and brainstorm ideas. The purpose of writing can vary, such as teaching, storytelling, or expressing feelings, and knowing this purpose helps keep the writing focused. Kylie suggests keeping a list of writing ideas and encourages viewers to try different types of writing. Brainstorming is described as an unstructured and free-flowing activity where ideas are jotted down without the pressure of forming complete sentences.

05:05

🖋️ Drafting: Turning Ideas into Text

In the second paragraph, Kylie discusses the drafting stage, where writers take their brainstormed ideas and begin to create the first copy of their work. She clarifies that a first draft, also known as a rough or sloppy copy, is not expected to be perfect. There is no single correct way to draft; some writers prefer to start at the beginning and write sequentially, while others might use notecards or graphic organizers. The advice given includes skipping lines on paper or double-spacing in a word processor to allow for future edits. Kylie advises against focusing on spelling, grammar, or punctuation during this stage and encourages writers to maintain a flow, even if it means starting with the ending or writing non-sequentially. The paragraph concludes with encouragement to keep writing and improve language skills through practice and engagement with online games and quizzes.

Keywords

💡Writing Process

The writing process refers to the series of steps a writer goes through from the initial idea to the final publication of a piece of writing. In the video, this concept is central as it outlines the journey from a blank page to a completed work, emphasizing that writing is not a magical feat but a structured approach that anyone can learn and apply.

💡Prewriting

Prewriting, also known as brainstorming, is the first step in the writing process where a writer generates and organizes ideas before beginning the actual writing. The video explains that this stage involves considering the purpose of the writing and is crucial for setting a clear direction for the piece, as it helps in focusing the writer's thoughts and intentions.

💡Purpose

In the context of the video, 'purpose' refers to the reason behind writing a piece of work. It could be to teach, inform, entertain, or persuade. The script mentions that understanding the purpose is essential as it guides the writer to maintain focus and relevance throughout the writing, ensuring that the final output aligns with the intended goal.

💡Brainstorming

Brainstorming is depicted as a chaotic yet creative phase in the writing process where a writer explores and jots down all possible ideas related to the topic. The video likens it to a storm, suggesting its unpredictable and free-flowing nature. It's a method to externalize thoughts without immediate judgment, which can later be refined during drafting.

💡Drafting

Drafting is the phase where the writer transforms brainstormed ideas into a coherent piece of writing. The video describes it as the creation of a 'rough draft' or 'sloppy copy,' indicating that it's an initial, unpolished version. This step is about getting words down without worrying about perfection, allowing the writer to establish the foundation of the narrative or argument.

💡Revising

Although not explicitly detailed in the provided script, revising is a subsequent step in the writing process where the writer reviews and refines the draft to improve clarity, coherence, and impact. It's about reworking the content to ensure it effectively communicates the intended message, which is a critical part of transforming a rough draft into a polished piece.

💡Editing

Editing, another step in the writing process not deeply covered in the script, involves the meticulous review of the text for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. It's the phase where the writer ensures the technical aspects of the writing are correct, contributing to the overall professionalism and readability of the work.

💡Publishing

Publishing is the final step in the writing process where the work is made available to the intended audience. While not extensively discussed in the script, it's implied as the culmination of all previous steps, where the writer's efforts come to fruition as the piece is shared with readers, listeners, or viewers.

💡Ideas

Ideas are the raw material for writing. The video script encourages keeping a running list of ideas, which can be drawn from various experiences and inspirations. These ideas serve as the seeds for writing projects, and the script suggests that having a repository of ideas can help overcome the intimidation of staring at a blank page.

💡Flow

Flow, in the context of the video, refers to the state of being fully immersed in the act of writing. It's when a writer is so engaged with their work that they move past initial hesitations and write freely. The script encourages writers to find their flow during the drafting stage, which can lead to a more productive and enjoyable writing experience.

Highlights

Introduction to The Writing Process: Getting Started video

Overcoming the fear of starting with a blank page

Understanding that writing is a process, not an instant magic

Learning the five main steps in the writing process

The importance of prewriting or brainstorming

Defining the purpose of writing to maintain focus

Different types of writing purposes: teaching, storytelling, expressing ideas/feelings

Using a notebook to keep a running list of writing ideas

The nature of brainstorming as unpredictable and messy

Methods of brainstorming: lists, sketches, graphic organizers, or free scribbling

Drafting as the stage of turning brainstorm notes into the first copy

The concept of a first draft as a rough or sloppy copy

Flexibility in drafting methods: starting at the beginning, using notecards, or graphic organizers

Skipping lines or double spacing for easier editing during drafting

Writing in complete sentences during drafting for certain types of writing

The drafting stage's focus on writing without stopping to fix errors

Encouragement to experiment with different drafting techniques

Celebrating the accomplishment of going from a blank page to a rough draft

Promoting language skill improvement through online games and quizzes

Transcripts

Hello! My name is Kylie, and welcome to The Writing Process: Getting Started.

Do you ever find writing tricky at times? Starting with a blank page,

not really

knowing how to get your thoughts and ideas in writing can be pretty scary,

but it doesn't have to be. In this video, you'll learn the process of writing,

so you can go from generating ideas to a first draft of your work.

Let's get on the right track.

When you read a book,

you might not think about all the work that went into writing it before it lands

in your hands. The author, or the person who wrote the book, spent many,

many hours thinking about writing,

about rewriting, and writing again before the ideas could be made into a book.

It doesn't always happen by magic, even for professional writers.

You can learn to write using the same process your favorite author uses.

There are five main steps in the writing process:

One: Prewriting, or brainstorming, [Two:] Drafting,

[Three:] Revising, [Four:] Editing, and [Five:] Publishing.

Let's look at the first two of these steps.

Before you ever get to writing,

there is a lot you need to consider to help you get started.

This part of the writing process is called the prewriting stage

because it's everything you do before you ever even start your first

draft. Just like we read for different reasons,

we write for many different reasons too.

You might read to learn something new, like you do for reading a science book,

or to be entertained by one of your favorite storybooks.

In the same way, we write for different reasons, as well.

This is called the purpose. Your writing should have a purpose.

You might choose to write to teach something,

to tell a story,

or to express your feelings or ideas.

When you know your purpose for writing,

your writing can remain focused or on topic.

If you choose to teach something,

you might be writing a book report, an essay,

an article, or even an interview.

If you are writing to tell a story,

you might be writing a dramatic play; lyrics to a song;

narrative poetry, which is a poem that tells a story;

a fictional story,

which is a made up story; or a personal narrative,

which is a true story that happened to you.

If you're writing to express ideas or feelings,

you might choose to write a letter or an email to a friend,

creative poetry, song lyrics,

or even just a journal entry about your thoughts on things that happened.

You might be more comfortable with certain types of writing more than

others, but don't be afraid to try something new.

How will you know what to write?

You can keep a running list of writing ideas in a notebook.

Whenever you get an inspiration by something you see, hear, feel, or experience,

you can write it down in note form. Then, when you have some time to write,

you can choose from your idea list.

Once you have chosen a topic, or the main idea for your writing,

and once you have decided on the purpose,

you can then begin brainstorming.

Brainstorming is exactly how it sounds — like a nature storm.

Brainstorming is unpredictable and messy. [laughs]

When you brainstorm for writing,

you are taking everything out of your brain and putting it on paper or on

your screen,

so you're taking all the many ideas that you think about and you write them

down. You do not need to write in full sentences.

That's kind of what makes it fun. When brainstorming,

you are writing short notes and ideas for yourself.

There is no right way to brainstorm.

Some authors like to make a list,

draw quick sketches, use a graphic organizer

(which is like a map or flow chart that helps you get your ideas out),

or just scribble your thoughts all over the place where it makes sense

for them.

In the drafting stage,

you are taking all of your brainstorm notes and ideas and writing the first copy

of your writing piece. If you are writing a story,

then it's the first draft of your story.

If you are writing a poem, then it's the first draft of your poem.

A first draft is sometimes called the rough draft or the sloppy copy.

In other words, it is not the perfect final version of your work.

Just like there is no right way to to brainstorm,

there is also really no right way or correct way to draft.

Some authors like to start at the beginning and write in a logical order.

Some like to scribble paragraphs on notecards and rearrange them later,

and some like to use graphic organizers or an outline where,

similar to the brainstorm stage,

they're using an outline or flow chart to help them write.

If you are using lined paper, like notebook paper,

skipping lines helps so that you have space later to make changes or add notes.

If using a word processor to write your draft,

you may wanna make it double spaced and print it out.

In the drafting stage, you're writing to match the type of piece that you've

chosen. For example, if you're writing a story,

an essay, or similar type of writing,

you write in complete sentences for your draft.

If you are writing a poem or a play,

you would write it following how that piece is written.

The important part of this step is that you are just writing and not stopping to

fix anything. Don't worry about spelling, grammar,

and punctuation at this point. Also,

don't worry about the order of things quite yet, either.

Some authors begin with the ending of the story and work backward.

Some authors like to skip around during the drafting stage by starting at the

beginning, jumping to write the ending.

Then kind of filling in the details in the middle as they go.

Remember, there's no right way to draft. Just get into a writing flow.

Going from a blank page to a rough draft of writing is a great accomplishment.

Knowing that there are steps we can take makes the writing process a lot less

daunting and intimidating.

Improve your language skills by playing our fun online games and quizzes,

and remember to always keep writing.