The Writing Process

I truly believe in the writing process. I don't think the first thing you write is always the best thing you could write. That doesn't mean that first thoughts don't have value; they do. But second, third and twenty-fifth thoughts might actually reveal the best, most interesting material.

So, we will be following a basic writing process, and each step of the process will be rewarded!

Writing Process Summary

Note: Below is a very basic summary of the Writing Process. If you have the textbook, you can review chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 (I will NOT email these chapters). I feel this basic summary and two videos cover and go beyond the information from these book chapters.

Step 1 - Prewriting or Brainstorming is when you come up with and test ideas. You can use simple lists, webs, outlines, etc. Ch. 3 in out book has great suggestions.

Step 2 - Drafting is the rough draft. This is your messy, in-progress piece, but it should be complete beginning to end for the assignment.

Step 3- Revising and Editing, actually I think of revising as the big changes to the ideas and structure of your piece. You can add, delete, move language, sections, etc. Editing I think of as the corrections part where you focus on correction-- grammar, punctuation, capitalization and so forth. Both are important for improving your writing.

Step 4 - The Final Copy, some call this publishing. This is you best, most error-free copy. Your final copy should also meet the requirements of the assignment.

I have included two videos below that expand brainstorming and organizing.