Chapter Two

1. Chapter Two Composing

2. The Writing Process • Analyzing the writing situation: identify the reason and purpose for writing, the situation in which the document is used, and the audience. • Choosing/discovering content: find the information to achieve your purpose and meet the readers’ needs.

3. Situation and Content Analysis Worksheet

4. The Writing Process • Drafting and revising: write the rough draft and revise for meaning. • Revision: revise in terms of logic, completeness, style, and visuals. • Document design: decide how to arrange and display information—headings, font, color, placement of visuals, etc.

5. The Writing Process • Arranging content: use a standard organizational approach or choose your own. • Editing: perform a mechanics edit, a documentation edit, and an edit for document integrity (document as a whole).

6. Using Computers in the Writing Process • Analyzing the writing situation: open/name a file and write notes about your readers and purpose. • Arranging content: use computers to sort material electronically.

7. Using Computers in the Writing Process • Drafting and revising: • When beginning the draft, open a file and save with the name of your document. • You may wish to use “free writing” to begin the document. • Keyboard ideas or sections. • Arrange, delete, and add ideas as necessary.

8. Using Computers in the Writing Process • As you insert material from sources, use ( ) or [ ] to remind you of the source. • During this stage, revise only for meaning. • Correct mechanical problems your software marks only if this doesn’t slow your ability to key in ideas.

9. Using Computers in the Writing Process • Document design: • Use the software capabilities to choose effective font(s), typeface(s), and color(s), and to position visuals on the page. • Choose design elements carefully so as to encourage readers to skim and then begin digesting your message

10. Using Computers in the Writing Process • Editing: when your software highlights a problem with a sentence, check the sentence carefully. • Start and stop process: often a workplace necessity. • Use by choice for long documents so as to avoid errors.

11. Using Computers in the Writing Process • Stop when you finish drafting, then return for revising/editing. • When leaving a task, make notes about what you need to do next time you open the file.