Pre-writing
* Purpose: Pre-writing is a collection of brainstorming, planning, and organizing activities that occur *before* you start writing your essay. It's like gathering your materials and blueprints before building a house.
* Structure: Pre-writing has no set structure. It can involve:
* Brainstorming: Listing ideas, freewriting, clustering, mind mapping
* Outlining: Creating a basic framework of your essay with main points and supporting ideas
* Freewriting: Writing without stopping to edit or censor yourself
* Questioning: Asking yourself "who, what, when, where, why, and how" questions to delve deeper into your topic
* Goal: The goal of pre-writing is to generate ideas, explore your topic, and develop a clear understanding of your argument before you commit to writing.
Essay
* Purpose: An essay is a written piece that presents an argument, explores a topic, or narrates an experience. It's the final product you create after pre-writing.
* Structure: Essays typically have a clear and organized structure:
* Introduction: Introduces the topic and states your thesis statement.
* Body paragraphs: Each paragraph develops one main idea supporting your thesis, with evidence and analysis.
* Conclusion: Summarizes your main points and restates your thesis.
* Goal: The goal of an essay is to communicate your ideas effectively, persuade your reader, and leave a lasting impression.
In a nutshell:
* Pre-writing is the preparation for your essay.
* An essay is the finished product.
Think of it like baking a cake:
* Pre-writing is gathering ingredients, measuring them, and mixing the batter.
* The essay is the final, decorated cake you present to your guests.