The Writing Process

think => write => print

They can simply sit down at a computer, type out their ideas on the keyboard, and click the print button. Their writing comes out complete and perfect. Geniuses, however, are few and far between. For the rest of us writing is a more complicated, recursive process.

Planning thinking info search Rough Draft sloppy copy

Revision proof reading re-thinking re-searching re-writing add graphics

Publishing perform print post

Decide on topic, style (genre), and audience

Think (=brainstorming) of descriptions, facts, and opinions

ask yourself questions: who, what, where, when, how ...
compile list of these ideas in a memo / outline
narrow scope (=trim the list)

Search for information and English (using keywords)

dictionaries
encyclopedia and library
interviews and discussion
Internet (WWW) search: Wikipedia etc.

Organize ideas so that they are connected

group ideas into paragraphs
outline the order
put paragraphs in order
put sentences in order within paragraphs

Handwritten or word processing
Double-space and indent

Write 3 or more body paragraphs
Add introduction, conclusion, and title

Critical reading (proof reading)

author, co-author, outsider, or editor
Students (boys and girls) ... be vicious and ambitious.

Rethink	Rewrite
on topic ? complete ?	delete irrelevant material add information
correct information ? valid opinion ? interesting ?	delete and / or add support or change delete and / or add
short and concise ?	delete low quality material
simple ? easy to understand ? well-ordered ?	use easy vocabulary rephrase unclear sentences move or remove unconnected material

Final draft

check spelling and grammar
check references and in-text citations
add images

Performance

speeches and plays
filming and showing

picture books and comics
books and magazines
newspapers
academic journals