When you choose possible sources, evaluate them, and use the results of your research effectively in your writing, you build credibility as a writer, demonstrating that you understand what others have to say about a topic and that you are fully informed about varying perspectives. One special kind of supporting evidence for your points comes from source materials. Effective use of such evidence helps readers understand a point, makes abstract concepts concrete, and offers proof that what you are saying is sensible and worthy of attention. Readers expect that a piece of writing will make one or more points clearly and illustrate or support those points with ample evidence-good reasons, examples, or other details. Instructors and peer reviewers often comment on the following broad content issues in student writing: Doing so calls on you to attend carefully to several big questions: What is the purpose of your writing? To whom is it addressed? What points does it make? Does it fully develop, support, or prove those points? Record your findings in a writing log (a notebook or computer file in which you record comments and observations about your writing), which you can add to as the class proceeds.Īs a writer, you are in some ways like the supervisor of a large construction job: you must assemble all the ideas, words, evidence, and so on into one coherent structure. Note at least two strengths you want to build on in your writing.Make up a priority list of three or four particular writing problems you have identified, and write out a plan for improvement.You can consult the relevant parts of The Everyday Writer (check the index and tables of contents to find specific help) or speak to your instructor for clarification. Look for help in areas where you need it.Mark every instructor and peer comment that suggests or calls for an improvement and put them all in a list. Make an inventory of your own strengths in each category.( See the top twenty problems in student writing.) Surface errors include problems with spelling, grammar, and punctuation and mechanics.Organization and presentation include overall organization, sentence-level organization and style, paragraph structure, the mechanics of documenting sources, and formatting choices.Broad content issues include use of evidence, use of sources, achieving purpose, attention to audience, and overall impression.Group all the comments into three categories-broad content issues, organization and presentation, and surface errors.Examine the instructor and peer comments very carefully, and compare them with your own comments.Read through this writing, adding your own comments about its strengths and weaknesses.Collect copies of two or three pieces of writing you have done, making sure to select pieces to which either your instructor or other students have responded.To create a personal writing inventory, follow these steps: Taking inventory helps you think critically and analytically about how to improve your writing skills. One way to begin actively learning from your mistakes is to take a writing inventory. Taking a Writing Inventory Taking a Writing Inventory
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