Writing Process

Introduction

Good writing is essential for success in school and the 21st Century workplace. Writing is a complex combination of skills which is best taught by breaking down the process. The writing process involves a series of steps to follow in producing a finished piece of writing. Educators have found that by focusing on the process of writing, almost everyone learns to write successfully. By breaking down writing step-by-step, the mystery is removed and writer’s block is reduced. Most importantly, students discover the benefits of constructive feedback on their writing, and they progressively master, and even enjoy, writing.

Task

Write a topic that best describes you. Use the writing process in writing your topic.

Process

Steps in the Writing Process

  1. Pre-writing: This is the planning phase of the writing process, when students brainstorm, research, gather and outline ideas, often using diagrams for mapping out their thoughts. Audience and purpose should be considered at this point, and for the older students, a working thesis statement needs to be started.
  2. Drafting: Students create their initial composition by writing down all their ideas in an organized way to convey a particular idea or present an argument. Audience and purpose need to be finalized.
  3. Revising: Students review, modify, and reorganize their work by rearranging, adding, or deleting content, and by making the tone, style, and content appropriate for the intended audience. The goal of this phase of the writing process is to improve the draft.
  4. Editing: At this point in the writing process, writers proofread and correct errors in grammar and mechanics, and edit to improve style and clarity. Having another writer’s feedback in this stage is helpful.
  5. Publishing: In this last step of the writing process, the final writing is shared with the group. Sharing can be accomplished in a variety of ways, and with the help of computers, it can even be printed or published online.

Evaluation

Historically, educators have struggled with the challenge of teaching students how to write well, traditionally focusing on the finished product.Teachers no longer emphasize the finished product; instead, they teach the “writing process.”  One of the strengths of the structure of the writing process is its usefulness for a wide range of diverse learners. Students are taught a variety of styles to structure their thinking, ranging from analytical outlines to highly visual graphic organizers.  Students explore ways for organizing and visualizing their ideas that is the most effective for them. 

Conclusion

When students internalize the process approach, they are prepared to produce logical and well written documents which convey an appropriate message for a specific audience in personal, academic, and professional contexts.

All stages in the writing process may be condensed in a timed writing, but they are addressed, even briefly. Internalizing the writing process helps students improve “on demand” or timed essay performance. In a professional environment, the same steps in the writing process should be employed for presentations and even emails. In scientific and technical contexts, where the purpose for writing may not be production within a limited time frame but rather ease of replication, working through the writing process is still a valuable exercise. Learning, implementing, and internalizing the writing process helps students to produce effective writing for a variety of purposes including writings that may not proceed through the full writing process.

Credits

Teacher Page

Writing process makes the students appreciate the essence of writing. Through it, the students are able to create, produce or express one's thought about the topic they wanted. Writing process are able to prevent writes's block for it guide ones thought to another.