Essay 2 poem explication

English 1B: Writing Assignment: The Process

Writing is a process, and as we move through the writing assignments we will incorporate this process to arrive at a well-written final draft. Here are the steps we will use:

1. Decide on your interpretation of the main idea of the short story, poem, or play you have selected. This will be your analysis. Do not confuse your interpretation/analysis with what the story is “about.” This is a persuasive/argumentative essay in which you attempt to convince the reader your interpretation is valid.

2. Create an outline. A form is attached for your use. Your submitted outline must be typed. The outline serves as your plan for writing the essay.

3. Write the first rough draft, a minimum of four pages. Then:

A. Ask someone to read your essay and underline anything they liked and place a question mark next to anything that was unclear to them. Doing this tells you, the writer, what is working, the underlines, and what needs work, the question marks. Do not think of this as good or bad, right, or wrong, it is what works and what needs work.

B. Review the underlines and question marks with your reader. Make notes. Use this feedback to revise your essay into a second rough draft for editing.

4. Use the editing checklist, found on the “Assignment” page, to edit your essay for readability following the instructions on the editing checklist. Do not try to edit for all the issues in a single reading. Take it step by step, one item at a time, check it off the list and move to the item on the list until you have completed the entire checklist. Editing is not rushed process; it is slow, deliberate, and methodical.

5. Use the edited second rough draft to make any necessary changes to your essay and make those changes. The edited draft is your final draft.

Note: Editing is not the same as proofing. You may want to proof your essay for minor issues like spelling, grammar, and punctuation before submission.