Writing involves planning, drafting, and revising one's ideas in a clear and organized manner using accurate vocabulary and understandable sentences, rather than expecting to produce excellent writing in one try or focusing primarily on complex sentences or novel ideas. It is a learnable skill that centers on effectively explaining one's thoughts and experiences.

1. What Writing Is. . .
And What It Isn’t

2. Writing Is. . .
• Following a
step-by-step
process of:
– planning,
– drafting
– and revising

3. Writing is Not. . .
• Being able to pick up a
pen or sit at a computer
and write something
wonderful on your first
try.

4. Writing Is. . .
• Thinking through and
organizing ideas

5. Writing Is NOT. . .
• Developing new,
earthshaking ideas no
one has ever thought of
before.

6. Writing Is. . .
• Explaining your ideas or
experiences clearly and
correctly.

7. Writing Is Not. . .
• Being primarily
concerned with
grammatical
correctness

8. Writing Is. . .
• Using precise,
descriptive and
accurate vocabulary.

9. Writing is Not. . .
• Showing off a large
vocabulary

10. Writing is. . .
• Constructing clear,
understandable
sentences.

11. Writing is NOT. . .
• Constructing long,
complicated sentences.
• Jonathan Coe's The
Rotters Club, published
in 2001, contains a
sentence with 13,955
words!

12. Writing Is. . .
• a skill that can be
learned