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Ariana Matthews
English 5
18 September 2016
My Writing Processes
I consider my writing process as the way I organize the ideas I want to use when writing
an essay. When thinking of ideas for an essay I use a variety of methods. I typically use listing
as a prewrite method to visualize all the possible ideas that could go into my writing, and I also
write drafts of my first paragraph to ensure that I organize my topic and main points in the best
possible way.
Listing ideas comes first in my methods. I make bullet points of all plausible ideas that
could be used for the prompt presented. As Bullock says in his article Processes, one of the
methods of prewriting is uncensored ideas as a list. Listing the ideas also gives me visuals of
what could possibly and work in my paper. Having multiple ideas that can be turned into a
possible thesis gives me different choices and I visualize each idea on my paper to see if it
could be an option. The ability to choose what topics and thesis go into my paper gives me
control and more confidence when writing.
Beginning the first draft I use the ideas from my list. After, I structure my paragraphs and
evidence around that idea. First drafts are in the infancy stage so I dont hold back when writing
rough drafts. Just as Lamott discusses in Shitty First Drafts, all writers have first drafts that are
far from perfect. Just as she did for her articles in California she would write unrevised opening
paragraphs to rid out the terrible start then crossing all of it out to move on with a stronger
introductory paragraph. Lamotts method is similar to mine. I focus solely on the thesis and
introductory paragraph. I would create first, second and third drafts of the introductory
paragraph until I could get the right combination of sentences. Once the drafts were complete I
would start the actual paper with a much more assured concept.

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The methods I use to prewrite my paper are listing out my ideas and writing multiple
times the introductory paragraph for a better understanding of how the rest of my paper is going
to go. With the assigned readings Processes by Bullock and Shitty First Drafts by Lamott
they both gave me assurance that my drafting methods are common and that all writers struggle
when beginning to write.

Word Count: 395

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Work Cited
Bullock. "Processes." unknown, n.d, pg. 290-291.
https://sacct.csus.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2403514-dt-content-rid-9077295_1/courses/2168ENGL517-80968/Bullock%20-%20Processes.pdf
Accessed 15 September 2016
Lamott, Ann. Shitty First Drafts Bird by Bird: Some Instruction on Writing and Life. New York:
Pantheon, 1994, pg. 23-25.
https://sacct.csus.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2403514-dt-content-rid-9077295_1/courses/2168ENGL517-80968/Bullock%20-%20Processes.pdf
Accessed 15 September 2016.