Prewriting

For most people, sitting down, putting pen to paper, and trying to write without making any mistakes will only result in frustration and a hatred of writing. Prewriting takes the stress out of beginning a writing project by letting a writer scribble away without worrying about "perfection." Prewriting recognizes that writers need to think about their topic before beginning. During this stage, writers may realize that research may be necessary if the subject of a paper is unfamiliar. Even for the familiar subject, prewriting helps writers sort through their ideas or memories.

Anything that a writer does to prepare for writing that involves gathering details and ideas is prewriting. Talking with a friend about a writing assignment, brainstorming a list of details, free-writing to see what the writer already knows, reading and taking notes from sources--these are just some of the ways a writer pre-writes.

Prewriting is not just wasted effort--although sometimes it can feel that way. All of the stumbling around, false starts, and scribbled notes that a writer makes to get started are like a dog trying to pick up a scent--necessary action in order to nose out the trail to be followed.

ENGL1010 Composition I