Instructor’s Manual, Spotlight on Critical Skills in Essay Writing, Second Edition
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Chapter 2 Self-Test: Writing as Process: Prewriting
To the student: Answer each question in the spaces provided. Some of your answers will be specific to you. They do not have “right” or “wrong” answers. 1. What does “prewriting” mean? ________________________________________________________________________ 2. Name three techniques you use to prepare for writing. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ 2. As a writer, how do you get your ideas? ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ 3. Name three purposes for writing. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ 4. What is point of view in writing? ________________________________________________________________________ 5. What is tone in writing? ________________________________________________________________________ 6. What is procrastination? Do you ever do it? Why? ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ 7. What techniques do you have for defeating procrastination? Name two. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ Instructor’s Manual, Spotlight on Critical Skills in Essay Writing, Second Edition
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Chapter 2 Self-Test Answers
To the student: Some of the answers to the Chapter 2 self‐test are subjective since you will be providing ideas from your own experiences; therefore, expect answers to vary. You should write down your answers and be prepared to share them with the rest of the class. You may find using flipcharts and overheads is an easy way to report your responses. 1. Prewriting means the preparatory work you do before you begin a draft. You think about your writing and prepare for it in a stage called “prewriting”. 2. Answers will vary. You might already be using some of the strategies suggested at the beginning of Chapter 2: finding an organized student in the class; talking to the instructor; going to the Help or Writing Centre for help; setting small goals and meeting them; journaling. People in your group may have other, effective tips. 3. Answers will vary. A student volunteer might collect these ideas and put them into a list that can be copied and circulated at the next class. 4. Answers may vary. Purposes for writing can include the following: to describe, to narrate, to convince, to explain, to evaluate or to investigate. 5. Point of view refers to the perspective from which a piece of writing is written, either first, second, or third person. 6. Tone in writing is the attitude a writer expresses towards his or her subject or reader. 7. Procrastination is delaying a task, job, or assignment. You should be prepared to share your answers. Provide responses that tell when and why you procrastinate. 8. Be prepared to discuss your answers. You should think about why a technique may have worked in the past. The instructor may ask a student volunteer to record the tips, then type them and post them into a class folder or provide copies for the class.