9.1–Introduction

In a literature classroom, conversations are the primary means through which you will communicate the ideas and arguments that you have developed about the texts you encounter. These conversations may take the form of a classroom discussion, a series of online forum or discussion posts, or even a research paper. This chapter will introduce to you the habits of mind that will help you think about your writing as participating in conversations and will also describe the processes of writing a literary essay that includes research.

Like so many of the activities that we participate in daily, writing is a process. Any process usually consists of a series of steps. When we set out to plant flowers in a pot, for instance, we all tend to follow the same basic process: we find a pot that we like, put soil in the pot, carefully place the plant in the soil without damaging the roots, add soil to fill the pot, water the plant regularly, and enjoy the blooming flowers. Similarly, there are certain common characteristics of academic writing, and the best way to ensure that your writing includes these characteristics is to follow the steps of the writing process. There’s one important caveat: not everyone’s writing process will look exactly the same. Your classmate might create extensive word webs before drafting each assignment while you find that creating a thorough outline best prepares you to write a successful essay. Both of your processes are equally valid. Part of the writing process is figuring out what combination of strategies works best for you. One thing is certain, though: starting a complex writing assignment the night before it is due is not an effective writing process!