Purpose – communicate (written communication can cross time and space)

        Reproduce as nearly as possible an idea or understanding in the mind of a reader

        what the writer has in mind

    Key elements: 1) build on audience’s current knowledge and perceptions;

                         2) clarity, coherence, and unity;

                         3) precise use of language that the audience will understand (Standard

                             English)

Audience – those to whom the writer specifically wants to communicate

    Key elements: 1) writer must identify the audience before writing;

                         2) writer must know the audience’s level of knowledge, perceptions,

                             predispositions, expectations, and experiences (at least generally);

                         3) writer must tie communication to the audience’s world of experience

                             and understanding – make the communication relevant to the

                             audience

Process – necessary to allow the communication to be received

        Goal = readability and understanding by the audience

• starts with an idea – something the writer wants to communicate

• identify the basics

  • know the task – thesis elements

    • subject
    • point to be made about the subject
  • know the audience
    • what they know
      • to build on
      • to link to
    • how to talk to them
      • diction – word choice
      • tone – attitude
      • style – formal, casual, familiar
  • know the minimums
    • format
    • time available
    • space available

• prewrite – invention strategies
  • explores writer’s existing knowledge – identifies "holes" needing research
  • gives "concrete" form to thoughts and ideas
  • allows for repeatability – won’t lose good ideas
  • collects and begins to give form/structure – allows relationships to be seen
  • begins to investigate options and methods of approach to communication

• craft a working focus statement – "proto thesis"

• develop an outline – structural skeleton

• write a draft

• revise

• edit

• final draft

"IntroBodyConcl"