ENGLCOM ENTRY 4

Oct 13 - 16 2008 Journal 4

I will type in a new format for journals per week since topics are better discussed with this.

Let me start with what came into my mind first. I have the writing process in mind. Like the reading process, there are also strategies and techniques done when writing. Before you write, you think of the topics that are of interest to readers, since you write for others to read, plus, you have to write with sense.

"Brainstorming" is the right word that you need to know before you write something. You think of ideas that comes into your mind related to the topic when you brainstorm. Lately, brainstorming is not only done by groups but it can also be done individually. You don't filter out ideas when you brainstorm. It is done after you finished brainstorming.

The second strategy that came into my mind is "Outlining". When you outline, you follow a format like the one below:

I. ENGLCOM ENTRY 4
A. Think about pre-writing strategies
B. Type in the journal
1. In the Y! Groups
2. In the Blog

~spaces are placed within the outline, if the blog indents it to left, then please understand the topic, bear with me and my writing style.~

The topic nearest the left margin has the most significant idea within the outline. As the idea gets more insignificant or becomes a supporting detail, it indents to the right.

So, why do we do outlining? Some people can make essays better when they have an outline. You have a plan for your topic, together with the supporting ideas or details. Instead of just writing about the topic, the output will be better if you have thought and outlined your topic.

Third process that came into my mind consists of two pre-writing strategies, one is "Looping" and the other is "Freewriting".

So, what does a loop mean? It is a continuous circle that ends in the middle. So what does this have to do with writing? When you engage on looping, you write until you get to that middle or the center. That center will be your focus. You focus on the topics and get the parts of the loop that are of significance, value or can support the topic you are focusing on. On the other hand, freewriting can be understood by reading the strategy name. When you engage on freewriting, well, you write freely. Topics that come out of your mind are placed in a paper. Duration of minutes ranges from five to ten and you stop after time runs out. You base your paper to the topics or details written on the freewriting paper.

So, what have we done this week you may ask? Well, we did some writing, more writing, and more writing. ENGLCOM is dedicated to teaching us how to read and write. Descriptive Essays are now our current essay form. As we make an essay about topic/s that is/are important and/or of interest to us, we are told to "show" and not to "tell" in a descriptive essay. We use words for readers to know what we saw, heard, tasted, smelled and felt when they read our essay. Hopefully, my first draft essay about my online gaming would give inspiration to others and make them try playing the game. :D