analyzing idea development in an essay quiz quizlet

Developing Ideas for Writing

Prewriting definition.

Prewriting means just what it says—it’s the writing that occurs before you actually write a draft. Richard Nordquist writes that

“In composition, the term prewriting refers to any activity that helps a writer think about a topic, determine a purpose, analyze an audience, and prepare to write.  Prewriting is closely related to the art of invention in classical rhetoric.

‘The objective of prewriting,’ according to Roger Caswell and Brenda Mahler, ‘is to prepare students for writing by allowing them to discover what they know and what else they need to know. Prewriting invites exploration and promotes the motivation to write’ ( Strategies for Teaching Writing , 2004).” [1]

In order to explore and identify what might be fruitful ideas for writing, I tend to jot concepts, phrases, and notes to myself.  Sometimes I draw linkages to connect related ideas. Other writers tend to just write in order to explore and identify patterns of thought. Still other writers list out all of the concepts and information they can think of around a certain topic, and then narrow and refine their lists. Others start writing a really “drafty draft” of an essay, and then circle back into prewriting strategies to develop ideas. Any prewriting strategy is fine, depending on “how your mind thinks” and how you like to discover and explore ideas.

Prewriting Processes

(text from here to end of page © Empire State College)

How do writers develop ideas for writing? Writers use many techniques, and it’s a bet that most of the techniques involve writing itself. Think of a composer creating ideas for a song by playing notes on a piano keyboard. Think of a sculptor creating ideas for a statue by shaping and reshaping pieces of clay. Think of a quilter creating ideas for a quilt pattern by arranging and rearranging different snippets of fabric. All creative endeavors go through preliminary stages in which creators generate ideas, discard some, and play with others that capture their imaginations or that seem to “fit the bill.” Each creator develops ideas by getting immersed and “doodling” in the particular medium. And writing is no different. In writer’s terms, that preliminary stage of idea development is called “prewriting.”

Prewriting usually is messy in terms of having ideas scattered all over the place–think of the quilter with pieces of fabric all over the living room floor. For a lot of people, it’s liberating to be messy and not worry about logic, pattern, or final form. That’s the purpose of prewriting, to be as free-ranging as possible in generating ideas. If you’re aggravated by mess, then prewriting can be thought of as pre-planning, as a means of generating the ideas and data that will help you create the essay draft. Either way, prewriting is a stage of idea incubation, a way to generate ideas and capture your thoughts through writing.

Ideas for writing develop in many ways, and prewriting techniques reflect the different ways in which ideas can develop. Some forms of prewriting are intended to help you bring subconscious ideas and interests into consciousness (some forms help if you tend to draw a blank when you’re asked to “write about what interests you”):

• Freewriting
• Brainstorming
• Clustering/mapping
• Maintaining a personal journal

Other forms of prewriting are intended to help you generate your own ideas in response to others’ ideas:

• Responding to a text
• Maintaining a response journal

Still other forms of prewriting are intended to help you both generate and focus ideas about a subject that you’ve already chosen:

• Asking questions about a subject
• Making a list
• Idea Matrix for College Writing
• Working with Prewriting

The following videos explain different strategies for prewriting. Although you’ll read about these strategies and more in the upcoming pages, these videos provide a good introduction to some basic approaches to prewriting.

[1] Nordquist, Richard. “Prewriting (Composition).” Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms , ThoughtCo., 6 Mar. 2017, www.thoughtco.com/prewriting-composition-1691676.

• Developing Ideas for Writing. Text under Prewriting Definition. Authored by : Susan Oaks. Provided by : Empire State College, SUNY OER Services. Project : College Writing. License : CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial
• image of student at computer, biting a pencil. Authored by : JESHOOTScom. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/laptop-woman-education-study-young-3087585/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
• image of lightbulb inside of an idea bubble drawn on a blackboard. Authored by : TeroVesalainen. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/thought-idea-innovation-imagination-2123970/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
• image of quilting fabric and tools. Authored by : adonyig. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/quilting-mood-sewing-thread-2482472/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
• video Prewriting Strategies. Authored by : Leslie Cox. Located at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQJSrQT9loI . License : Other . License Terms : YouTube video
• video Prewriting Techniques. Authored by : Tamara Harvell. Located at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pSfRAB2ABU . License : Other . License Terms : YouTube video
• Text under Prewriting Processes. Authored by : Susan Oaks, Elaine Handley. Provided by : Empire State College. Located at : https://www.esc.edu/online-writing-center/resources/academic-writing/process/prewriting-developing-ideas/ . Project : Writing Resources. License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Copyright, Empire State College. Used with permission.

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Central idea

most supported idea in the text and is supported by key details

How to determine the central idea of a text

look for repeated words and phrases distinguishing between key details and minor details restate the central idea of the text in your won words cite evidence from the text to support your conclusion

Organizational methods

importance chronology cause-and-effect relationships problem-solution relationships

Introductory paragraph

introduced the central idea presents the thesis engages the reader

Body paragraph

develop the central idea organize ideas logically include evidence and examples

Concluding paragraph

concludes the central idea restates the thesis summarize main points

Evaluating an essay step 1

does the introduction contain a clear thesis

Evaluating an essay step 2

are the ideas supported with relevant examples

Evaluating an essay step 3

does the organizational structure support the central idea and purpose

Evaluating an essay step 4

does the conclusion summarize the main points and leave a lasting impression

Evaluating an essay step 5

does the writer present the ideas in an interesting and unique way to engage the readers

Decks in ELA 10 Class (8):

• Analyzing Word Choice And Author's Purpose In Short Stories
• Analyzing Character, Theme, And Plot In Short Stories
• Determine Meaning: Words And Phrases
• Comparing Archetypes In Literature
• Analyzing Idea Development In An Essay
• Expanding Vocabulary: Word Parts And Reference Resources
• Grammar: Pronunciation
• Analyzing Author's Purpose And Perspective In A Travelogue
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A Writer's Handbook

• Introduction
• Purpose & Audience
• Opening Sentences
• Linking Sentences
• Finished Introduction
• Topic Sentences
• Development
• Conclusion Sentences
• Conclusion Paragraphs for Essays
• Essay Writing Organization: The Outline
• Annotating Readings

General Writing Idea Development

Example layout for development.

• Rhetorical and Visual Analysis Idea Development
• Character Analysis Idea Development
• Theme Analysis Idea Development
• Theory Analysis
• Using the Library
• Using Sources for Illustration or Support
• Using Research for Essays
• Writing About Research
• MLA Handbook Summary for Citations
• Final Thoughts on Essays
• Literary Element Index
• Appendix of Example Papers

Most essays will start with a topic or subject, and after the purpose and audience for the essay have been decided, writers can move on from there.

• Begin with a topic and a stance on the topic (depending on the purpose)
• Organize a thesis
• Create topic sentences and chunks for your body paragraphs
• Find supporting examples with source evidence or discussion of examples depending on assignment logistics

Organizing an Argument Paper

• Topic :  Bratz Dolls – that they are too “old” for the girls they are marketed toward
• My stance on topic :  I think the image of Bratz dolls portrays a sexier image of what a girl should look like to children who are playing with the toys
• Organizing a thesis:
• General :  Because Bratz Dolls portray an image that is not age appropriate for the young girls who are playing with them, the dolls should be recalled.
• XYZ :  Bratz Dolls should be recalled due to the image they portray, the effect they have on the young girls who play with them, and the problems they can cause in social situations.

You can write a thesis both ways and see how your paper takes shape before choosing the one that best fits your paper.  Notice, both these argue the same point:  dolls need to be recalled – but they state that in two different ways.

• Brainstorm :  Jot down ideas for intro/body/conclusion – anything that will help you organize the parts of the paper

Introduction:

• Influences on young people
• Examples of influences (TV, Games, toys)
• Link to Bratz as a toy girls play with
• Brief description of Bratz
• What this image description conjures

Thesis : 

Because Bratz Dolls portray an image that is not age appropriate for the young girls who are playing with them, the dolls should be recalled.  

• The look of the doll goes along with the “too old” image
• The accessories of the doll go along with the “too old” image
• The advertising of the doll goes along with the “too old” image

Make topic sentences for the ideas you think of for your body paragraphs.  Remember the formula (transition + link to thesis argument + example [even if you do not have an XYZ thesis, your example will be the topic of the paragraph as you have lined it up])

Topic sentences:

• To begin with, the basic look of the Bratz doll portrays an image of seductiveness and sensuality; the dolls should be recalled because this is not a positive image for the children who are playing with them.
• Additionally, the accessories of the Bratz doll give cause for recalling the toy due to their mature nature.
• Lastly, the advertising for the Bratz dolls displays a negative image that should not be portrayed to children of the toy’s target audience.

Chunks for your body paragraphs:  (Choose 2 or 3 different examples that will go along with each of your topics – don’t use the same example for any other paragraph).  These chunks will ensure your length in the paper

• Facial features (eyes slanted, lips pouty) and makeup, long legs and skinny waist, hairstyles
• Styles of clothes, makeup accessories
• From web (or commercials or TV):  sensual description of each doll (like a bio), advertised games online “love meter”

Next step:  Find sources that support your point or describe the topic you have in detail.  You can even write your sources down and take notes on what info they can give you to keep your information organized.

•  www.bratz.com – info on look of dolls, styles of clothing and advertising
• The New Yorker article “Little Hotties:  Barbie’s New Rival” – info on dolls’ description and facts supporting argument that they are negative images for girls.
• “Over-sexed and over here:  The tarty Bratz doll” – article blog credible because it is a mother’s experience

Start Writing The Paper.  Remember the first draft is NOT always your best work.

Exercise 5: Change of purpose

How could you turn the argument style paper on the Bratz dolls into a differently purposed essay? Currently, the outline has the purpose of persuading an audience not to sell Bratz dolls.

• Exercise 5: Change of Purpose
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• Last Updated: Jan 3, 2023 9:01 AM
• URL: https://library.jeffersonstate.edu/AWH

AI Learning Tool

Analyzing Idea Development In An Essay

Question: Yael is writing an essay about the development of folk tales. Read the excerpt from her essay. Based on the beginning of Yael’s essay, how does the structure support her central idea?

Answer: Yael gives details in chronological order, which supports her central idea by showing development.

Question: What steps best help a reader determine the central idea of a text? Select three options.

Answer: distinguishing between key details and minor details, citing evidence from the text to support the conclusion, restating the most important points in the text in one’s own words

Question: Ruth is writing an essay about the reasons for changing a folk tale from a dark, grotesque story to a story that is appropriate for children.

Answer: Ruth should use the problem-solution structure to show why the dark stories are problematic and how changing them solves the problem., Ruth should give examples of the problems that dark stories can cause for younger audiences and the changes that can solve the problem.

Question: Read the excerpt from “How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale.” Which idea does the author develop with the text example cited in the excerpt?

Answer: The Grimms embellished stories with more details in their final editions.

Question: Read the excerpt from an essay about fairy tales. Which revision would best help the author support the thesis more effectively?

Answer: The author should explain how Rapunzel’s story fits into the thesis.

Question: Read the excerpt from “How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale.” Which structure is used in this excerpt?

Answer: Chronological

Question: Read the excerpt from “How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale.” Which statement best describes the way the author unfolds ideas in this paragraph?

Answer: The author gives supporting details first and concludes with the main idea.

Question: Read the excerpt from “How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale.” How does the author support the main idea in this paragraph?

Answer: with an example that shows a specific brutal living condition

Question: Read the excerpt from “How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale.” Which key details best support the main idea in this paragraph? Select three options.

Answer: “…’Death and the Goose Boy’ was omitted because of its baroque literary features;”, “‘The Stepmother’ [was omitted] because of its fragmentary nature and cruelty;”, “…’The Faithful Animals’ [was omitted] because it came from the Siddhi-Kür….”

Question: When a text encourages the reader to believe or do something, the author’s purpose is

Answer: to persuade

Q3:RWS:Quiz 2:PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT

Quiz   by Erika Crizel Lacsam

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• Q 1 / 15 Score 0 This type of text pattern uses chronological order of events. 29 process analysis narration definition  cause and effect

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• Q 1 This type of text pattern uses chronological order of events. process analysis narration definition  cause and effect 120 s
• Q 2 This type of text pattern tells how something is alike or different from the other. definition description  comparison and contrast narration 120 s
• Q 3 This type of text pattern is used alongside concrete and specific details which were chosen by the writer to be able to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. description process analysis cause and effect narration 120 s
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