Overview

Personal writing is writing about your experiences. There are many different forms of personal writing. Some forms, such as journals and learning logs, are private. Other forms, such as letters, poetry, and college application essays, are shared.

Personal writing can be particularly helpful during the first step of the writing process, prewriting. If you are planning to write about yourself in a college application essay, for example, one helpful prewriting activity is creating a life map. A life map is a timeline of high points, low points, and turning points in your life. It can help you focus on the significant events and people in your life.

The second step of the writing process is drafting, which involves turning your prewriting notes into sentences and paragraphs. Drafting is followed by revising. During the revising phase, you may wish to participate in a writing conference to get feedback on your writing from a partner or a small group of students.

The next step is editing/proofreading. This activity involves reading your writing line by line to correct errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling. The final step is presenting your writing to the intended audience.