Easy Writing Skills Step-by-Step

Take it step-by-step for writing success! The quickest route to learning a subject is through a solid grounding in the basics. So what you won't find in Easy Writing Skills Step-by-Stepis a lot of endless drills. Instead, you get a clear explanation that breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand steps, followed by highly focused exercises that are linked to core skills--enabling learners to grasp when and how to apply those techniques. This book features: Large step-by-step charts breaking down each step within a process and showing clear connections between topics and annotations to clarify difficulties Stay-in-step panels show how to cope with variations to the core steps Step-it-up exercises link practice to the core steps already presented Missteps and stumbles highlight common errors to avoid You can master writing as long as you take it Step-by-Step!

Introduction
1 The Foundation
Reasons for Writing
Parts of an Essay
Next Steps
2 Getting Started
Step 1: Narrow Your Focus and Determine Your Thesis Statement
Your First Free Writing
Research
Your Second Free Writing
Your Thesis Statement
Next Steps
3 Methods of Development
Step 2: Choose Your Method of Development
Narration
Description
Process
Comparison/Contrast
Cause and Effect
Argument/Persuasion
Transitions
Fallacies
Method Examples
Next Steps
4 Form a Plan: Outlines
Step 3: Develop Your Outline
Formal Topic Outline
Sentence Outline
1-2-3 Outline
In-Class Essay Exam
Next Steps
5 Craft Your First Draft
Step 4: Write Your First Draft
Title
Introductory Paragraph
Developmental Paragraphs
Concluding Paragraph
Next Steps
6 Your Writer’s Toolbox: Sentences
Step 5: Prepare for Your Final Draft, Part 1
Parts of Speech
Sentences
Key Problem Areas
Parallel Phrasing
Next Steps
7 Your Writer’s Toolbox: Mechanics
Step 5: Prepare for Your Final Draft, Part 2
Spelling
Key Punctuation
More on Punctuation
Grammar
Next Steps
8 Your Writer’s Toolbox: Style
Step 5: Prepare for Your Final Draft, Part 3
Guidelines for Stronger Writing
Giving Your Writing Extra Flair
Language to Avoid: Wordiness and Redundancy
Gender-Free Writing
Twelve Tips for Compelling Writing
Next Steps
9 Your Final Draft Checklist
Step 6: Revise and Finalize
The Revision Process
The Review Process
Three-Stage Review Checklist
Next Steps
10 A Final Look
Step 7: Proofread
The Value of Proofreading
What Is Proofreading?
Checking the Three Cs
Proofread in Stages
A Final Word
11 A Finished Assignment: From Beginning to End
First Free Writing
Research
Second Free Writing
Outline
First Draft
Preparing for the Final Draft
Final Polished Essay
Next Steps
Appendix A: Checklists for Specific Essay Types
Appendix B: Grammar and Usage Glossary of Terms
Appendix C: Useful Word Lists
Appendix D: Writing, Grammar, and Word References
Appendix E: Proofreading in Stages
Appendix F: Before and After Examples
Answer Key
Index
Footnote
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