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Steps of Writing
Writing is a process that involves several steps, some of which might need to be repeated, in order to produce a polished, intelligible final product.
Follow the steps, practice writing systematically, and soon it becomes an easy process.
The Steps
Prewriting - the steps before writing can take place
Writing - occurs after preparation, thinking, planning
Revising - reading through and making critical changes
Editing - correcting mistakes, format, typing errors
Publishing - sending the polished version to somebody
Each of these steps might have to be repeated.
For instance, once you begin writing you may realize you need more information.
Some writing happens over days, weeks, or months and changes along the way.
After a first draft, revising is necessary to find problems of organization, logic, evidence, flow. Then rewriting occurs.
Editing can happen along the way when one discovers mistakes, but must occur as a final stage before sending the final version.
The final version might receive feedback or critique from a colleague, professor, or boss and need more prewriting (ie. research or mindmapping better organization), writing, revising, and editing before re-submitting a polished version.
Writing Terms
These are the terms that we use when talking about writing:
Talking About Writing.pptPrewriting
Before writing we must have something to say. We may have an idea, information, or questions in our head that we must organize before we write, such as before sending an email, before answering an exam question, or before writing a paper.
Prewriting includes choosing a topic, identifying audience, planning time, thinking, researching, interviewing, collecting data, reading, annotating, re-reading, note taking, highlighting, brainstorming, jotting down ideas, listing, organizing, outlining, mapping, identifying main idea and supporting evidence, free writing, discussions with colleagues - everything we need to do BEFORE we start to write the first draft.
Prewriting includes:
Thinking about the purpose
Research or gathering of information
Brainstorming, mapping, outlining
Planning order of the message
The last steps of Prewriting an essay or longer piece involves mapping ideas and outlining the body of the paper.
Mindmaps
Outlines
Essays, reports, and theses must be carefully planned and organized. The last step of Pre-Writing is the Outline.
List the ideas according to the paragraph they will be in
Assign a single word or phrase to each paragraph
Order the paragraphs according to the best way to present them (ie. chronological, most important evidence/argument first)
Number the paragraphs 1, 2, 3 etc. separate from the Introduction and Conclusion.
Start drafting your paragraphs
Drafting
After creating a general outline for your paragraphs or sections, begin writing.
Consider saving the Introduction until the end.
Consider writing the topic sentences for each paragraph before writing the paragraphs.
Write knowing that you will fix, delete, re-arrange, or elaborate on the evidence or ideas later.
Insert brackets [ find this later] for missing numbers, author names, or something that you need to research further.
After you have written most of what you know, consider whether you need to go back to your notes or research. If not, work to complete the ideas and paragraphs.
Write your Introduction and Conclusion.
Proofread your draft (see below).
Revision
Revising is the changes we consider/make after we have finished a paper, stepped away from it for a bit of reflective time, and considered any feedback, critique/assessment, and/or self-assessment.
Leave time, at least a day, before submitting a paper to work on it again before handing it in.
Does the order and each paragraph make sense?
Is everything properly documented and in your own words?
Consult your peers as to whether you have fulfilled the assignment properly. Have somebody read a draft.
Re-vising might be required by a teacher who will offer critique or feedback before the Re-write. A thesis will always require revising before a final submission.
Proofreeding or Editing
Failing to proofread is failure to complete an assignment, essay, report, or thesis.
First impressions of ANYTHING matter and are difficult to erase. The same can be said of your paper.
If it doesn't look right, it will impact the reader.
If it doesn't follow the directions, it will anger the person assessing it.
If it doesn't follow the standard format, it will be rejected.
Sloppy work does not go over well in school or on the job.
Publication or Submission
Ask yourself a few KEY QUESTIONS before sending a final, polished version that you are willing to say is your best work:
Did I follow the instructions and answer the assigned questions?
Is this logically organized and does it flow well?
Is the format correct?
Is it fully and flawlessly proofread?
Am I proud to call this my work?
Feedback
Peer assessment
Consult your peers as to whether you have fulfilled the assignment properly.
Have somebody you trust read a draft.
Consider their suggestions carefully.
Expert critique
Re-vising might be required by a teacher who will offer critique or feedback before the Re-write.
A thesis will always require revising at least once before a final submission.
Don't take criticisms of your ideas or writing personally. If you are disappointed, try to bounce back and rise to the challenge of making it better.
Try to make all of the suggested revisions or come up with a very good reason to leave something the way it is.
Re-writing
Writing is a process and often involves Re-Writing.
Sometimes one must conduct more research, especially if something is missing or incorrect.
Sometimes an idea just needs to be developed more.
Sometimes the organization of the essay, the paragraph structure, or the grammar is awkward and must be worked on more to bring it up to the required standard.
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