The Writing Process
Writing is a process that seems to be complicated but actually demands merely the accomplishment of a few basic skills. It can be made easier if we understand our subject, our purpose, and our audience. Given that, we can minimize the frustrations associated with writing by breaking up the process into manageable steps. These steps are described below:
A. Planning
Writing begins with planning. This means thinking about what can and may be written about the subject at hand. It can also mean taking notes, making lists, or creating a rough outline of the ideas being presented. The thinking, verbalizing, and imagining that precede the first word down are just as important as the mechanics of writing the entire piece.
B. Drafting
To begin writing, we prepare the first draft in concise form, using no more words than necessary and avoiding vague words that will confuse the ideas being conveyed. While doing so, we must keep the readers and their ability to comprehend the main ideas in mind. Our use of descriptive examples can often clarify difficult ideas.
The draft is the foundation of the written piece. Once it is ready, we review it to recognize usable elements - ideas, examples, and style - so that we may develop them in the revision stage. We should be prepared to throw out part or all of the draft if it does not work.
C. Revising
We go over our draft to weed out unimportant details and clarify any vague ideas. However, revision is not to be considered merely a mechanism for fixing the first draft; it should be treated as a means to create the final product. In this phase of writing, it is not unusual to change a major portion of our work, its tone, or the point of view from which it is written.
D. Proofreading
We proofread the final manuscript to check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. For quick reference, it helps to have a dictionary and a handbook of grammar rules handy. We should make it a rule that if we do not have time to proofread, we do not have time to write.
