Original Version of a Process Journal #10 as turned in.

When I started the free writing journals I thought to my self what was the point of these? But I as I kept doing them I felt like it helped me just write out my thoughts and it helped to not draw a blank. I was able to continue with out stopping and think what next. The very first one I did, I did it on paper because I thought typing it wouldn’t help or it would be too hard. When you do it in writing it’s easy you just have a natural flow with it. When I tried it on computer it was a little more difficult because I would stop or I would go back and fix a mistake I made where in paper you don’t worry about the errors as much. But as I kept doing it on computer I kept trying and trying it was difficult at first but after practicing and practicing I got better at not stopping. When I tried on paper it was just fast and easy I had my ideas going and on computer it helped my computer skills at being able to just go and write. I feel like in the last journals I got better and it didn’t have as many mistakes as I did when I first started. I feel the value of this was I was able to learn how to keep going to have all my ideas out to have ready for when I start my essay whereas having to stop and think ok where do I start next. I think it was a good challenge that helped me out in the end to learn to be more open in my writing.

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Original Proces Journal Prompt

Process Journal #10: Freewriting

You have just finished seven weeks of keeping a freewriting journal in this class. Take a second to review our guide on freewriting and to think about what the journaling was like for you. Also, read this piece on Peter Elbow's ideas from his book Writing Without Teachers.

Write about what you felt was of value in this kind of writing/journaling. What did you find difficult or less valuable? Did you detect any change or impact from doing this kind of journaling. Summarize what you would consider is the "theory" behind the use of freewriting. What do you think of this theory? In what ways might freewriting be of use to your in the future?

 --250 words minimum plus 4 ah-hah responses

One: Conceptual/Idea Phase

• Look again at the original assignment--examine if you are adequately addressing the question/task of the assignment and the writing situation.
• Examine your piece in light of audience and purpose.
• Examine your essay for its main point (thesis)--Is it clear? Is it what you really believe? Is it clearly expressed.
• Organization: Look at the structure of how you are presenting your ideas. Do you want to shift your arrangement in any way?

Piece is not fully following the prompt. It is missing parts! It does not reference Elbow, nor does it discuss a theory of freewriting or ways freewriting might help in the future.
Does the piece seem to have a pulled together message that is focused? I don't think so right now.
Notice it also does not have paragraphing. I think this piece could be divided into three paragraphs (with the new content). Paragraph #1 on the the personal experience with freewriting--value, difficult, or less valuable, change over time. Paragraph #2 on responding to Elbow and the theory behind freewriting and my thoughts on this theory. Paragraph #3 on how freewriting might be useful in the future.

Two: Opening Up/Development Phase

• Look to see if you have developed the piece enough. Think of your reader--is there enough content there to get your idea/point across?
• Think especially of examples and illustrations (or quotes from sources) that might be used to specify what you are discussing.
• Use the techniques of description to make your writing sharper and more defined.

It needs to OPEN up the missing parts addressing the topic.
The original response is short of the minimum 250 words, so it needs more content.
I'd like to see an example of when the value of freewriting came into play while writing an essay.

Three: Sentence Level Editing Phase

• Use the Paramedic Method to revise sentences that are wordy and indistinct. Clarify the agent and action (subject-verb) in your sentences. Cut wordiness.
• Combine sentences using subordination or coordination for clarity and fluency.
• Examine the sentences carefully for errors in run-ons, fragments, punctuation, or other grammatical errors.

This piece contains serious errors in comma usage and run-ons. SERIOUS. This writer is not thinking of her reader.

This piece also shows no signs at all of editing for clarity and conciseness.

(OF course, as a quickly done process journal, this focus on editing is acceptable when first turned in, but if not addressed as a piece of writing presented as a final produce in the portfolio, it will cause this writing to fail and pull down the grade of the portfolio.)

Four: Proofreading Phase

• For the last step, be sure to review your writing carefully for mechanical and superficial errors. Here is where it can help to have someone else look over your writing.
• Make sure you have done a spell check on your work.

Proofreading must be done to catch any small errors.