Understanding Pre-Writing
Pre-writing is the first stage of the writing process, where writers generate ideas, organize thoughts, and plan their approach before drafting a piece of writing. As a paraprofessional, understanding pre-writing techniques can help you guide students through the writing process and support their development as writers.
What is Pre-Writing?
Pre-writing encompasses all the activities writers engage in before beginning the first draft. It involves:
- Generating ideas
- Determining the purpose and audience
- Organizing thoughts
- Creating an outline or plan
- Gathering relevant information
Common Pre-Writing Strategies
Brainstorming
A free-thinking exercise where writers jot down all ideas that come to mind without judgment. This helps generate content and uncover connections.
Mind Mapping
A visual technique that connects ideas around a central theme, showing relationships between concepts.
Freewriting
Writing continuously for a set period without stopping to edit or revise, allowing ideas to flow naturally.
Outlining
Creating a structured plan that organizes main points and supporting details hierarchically.
Listing
Making a simple list of ideas, which can later be organized, expanded, or eliminated.
5W1H Questions
Answering the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How to develop content.
Benefits of Pre-Writing
- Reduces writing anxiety by breaking the process into manageable steps
- Improves organization and clarifies the logical flow of ideas
- Saves time by preventing writer’s block during drafting
- Enhances creativity by encouraging exploration of multiple ideas
- Creates focus by identifying the core purpose and audience
- Develops deeper thinking by encouraging analysis before writing
Pre-Writing for Different Writing Contexts
| Writing Type | Pre-Writing Focus | Recommended Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative | Characters, setting, plot, sequence | Story mapping, timeline creation, character profiles |
| Persuasive | Arguments, evidence, counterarguments | Pro/con lists, claim-evidence charts, audience analysis |
| Expository | Facts, examples, explanations | Outlines, concept maps, research notes |
| Descriptive | Sensory details, imagery, organization | Sensory charts, word banks, observation notes |
| Research Paper | Sources, information organization, thesis | Research questions, source evaluation, note cards |
Pre-Writing and the Writing Process
Pre-writing is the initial stage in the complete writing process, which typically includes:
- Pre-writing: Generating and organizing ideas
- Drafting: Creating the initial version of the text
- Revising: Improving content, organization, and style
- Editing: Correcting grammar, spelling, and mechanics
- Publishing: Sharing the final product with the intended audience
Effective pre-writing creates a foundation for success in the subsequent stages.
Pre-Writing in Practice: Essay Development
Topic: “The Importance of Exercise”
Step 1: Brainstorming
• Physical benefits: weight control, muscle strength, disease prevention
• Mental benefits: stress reduction, improved mood, better sleep
• Social benefits: connecting with others, team building
• Types of exercise: cardio, strength training, flexibility
• Challenges: time constraints, motivation, access to facilities
• Solutions: scheduling, finding enjoyable activities, home workouts
Step 2: Mind Mapping
[Create branches from central topic “Exercise” connecting main ideas and their supporting details]
Step 3: Outlining
I. Introduction
A. Attention-grabber about sedentary lifestyle
B. Thesis: Regular exercise provides physical, mental, and social benefits
II. Physical Benefits
A. Weight management
B. Cardiovascular health
C. Disease prevention
III. Mental Benefits
A. Stress reduction
B. Mood improvement
C. Cognitive function
IV. Social Benefits
A. Community connection
B. Support systems
V. Overcoming Exercise Challenges
A. Time management strategies
B. Finding motivation
VI. Conclusion
A. Summary of benefits
B. Call to action
Teaching Pre-Writing to Students
Tips for Supporting Pre-Writing in the Classroom
- Model the process: Demonstrate pre-writing techniques using think-alouds
- Provide graphic organizers: Offer visual templates that guide students through organizing their thoughts
- Set clear expectations: Explain what should be accomplished during pre-writing
- Allow sufficient time: Give students adequate time to explore ideas before drafting
- Encourage experimentation: Let students try different pre-writing strategies to find what works best
- Make it visual: Use colors, shapes, and drawings to engage different learning styles
- Enable collaboration: Allow students to brainstorm and share ideas in pairs or small groups
- Connect to reading: Use mentor texts to show how published authors might have planned their work
Differentiation for Various Learning Needs
| Student Need | Pre-Writing Accommodation |
|---|---|
| English Language Learners | Provide bilingual word banks, visual aids, and simplified graphic organizers |
| Students with ADHD | Break pre-writing into shorter sessions, use color-coding, provide movement breaks |
| Students with learning disabilities | Offer templates with sentence starters, audio recording options, scaffolded outlines |
| Advanced learners | Encourage complex connections, integrated research, and more detailed planning |
Common Pre-Writing Pitfalls to Avoid
- Skipping pre-writing entirely: Rushing to drafting without proper planning
- Over-planning: Spending too much time on pre-writing and never getting to drafting
- Inflexibility: Being unwilling to modify the plan when better ideas emerge
- Focusing too narrowly: Not generating enough ideas to choose from
- Ignoring audience and purpose: Failing to consider why and for whom the writing is created
Assessing Pre-Writing
Ways to evaluate the effectiveness of students’ pre-writing:
- Check for relevant and sufficient content generation
- Look for logical organization of ideas
- Ensure connection between pre-writing and subsequent drafts
- Observe application of appropriate strategy for the writing task
- Note evidence of critical thinking and depth of thought
Quick Check: Pre-Writing Knowledge
1. Which of the following is NOT typically considered a pre-writing strategy?
2. What is the primary purpose of pre-writing?
3. Which pre-writing strategy is most appropriate for visually organizing the relationship between ideas?
4. A student is writing a persuasive essay about school uniforms. Which pre-writing activity would be most helpful?
5. How can a paraprofessional help a student who struggles with starting the writing process?
Key Points to Remember
- Pre-writing is the foundation of effective writing and critical to the writing process
- Different types of writing benefit from different pre-writing strategies
- Students should be encouraged to try various pre-writing techniques to find what works best for them
- Supporting students during pre-writing can reduce writing anxiety and improve final results
- Pre-writing should be appropriately scaffolded based on students’ needs and abilities
- Effective pre-writing leads to more organized, coherent, and developed writing