1.3 Writing Process and Conventions
Key Takeaways
- Writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing
- Revising = improving ideas; Editing = correcting mechanics
- Three main writing types: narrative, informative/explanatory, opinion/argument
- 6+1 writing traits: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, presentation
- Four sentence types: simple, compound, complex, compound-complex
Last updated: January 2026
Teaching writing involves both the process of creating text and the conventions that make writing clear and correct.
The Writing Process
Five Stages of the Writing Process:
| Stage | Activities |
|---|---|
| 1. Prewriting | Brainstorming, graphic organizers, research, planning |
| 2. Drafting | Getting ideas on paper, focusing on content not perfection |
| 3. Revising | Improving content, organization, word choice, voice |
| 4. Editing | Correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization |
| 5. Publishing | Sharing finished work with audience |
Key Distinction: Revising = improving IDEAS; Editing = correcting MECHANICS
Types of Writing
| Type | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative | Tell a story | Personal narrative, short story |
| Informative/Explanatory | Explain or inform | Report, how-to, comparison |
| Opinion/Argument | Persuade or convince | Persuasive essay, book review |
Writing Traits (6+1 Model)
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Ideas | Clear main idea with relevant details |
| Organization | Logical structure with transitions |
| Voice | Writer's personality and tone |
| Word Choice | Precise, interesting vocabulary |
| Sentence Fluency | Varied sentence structure, smooth flow |
| Conventions | Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation |
| Presentation | Neat, readable format |
Grammar and Conventions
Parts of Speech:
- Noun: Person, place, thing, or idea
- Verb: Action or state of being
- Adjective: Describes a noun
- Adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, or adverb
- Pronoun: Replaces a noun
- Preposition: Shows relationship between words
- Conjunction: Connects words or phrases
- Interjection: Expresses emotion
Sentence Types:
- Simple: One independent clause
- Compound: Two independent clauses joined by conjunction
- Complex: Independent clause + dependent clause
- Compound-Complex: Multiple independent and dependent clauses
Common Errors to Teach:
- Subject-verb agreement
- Pronoun-antecedent agreement
- Run-on sentences and fragments
- Comma splices
- Apostrophe usage (possessives vs. contractions)
Test Your Knowledge
What is the main difference between revising and editing?
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B
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D
Test Your Knowledge
Which writing trait focuses on using precise, interesting vocabulary?
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B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which sentence is a compound sentence?
A
B
C
D