1. The Writing Process Return to Home Page

2. The Writing ProcessThe Bedford Reader,6th ed,24-28 Janice Bellinghiere

3. Discovery • To generate ideas • To avoid writer’s block • Brainstorm • Freewrite • Journal • Outline • Do Not Edit!

4. Brainstorming • Write down every word that comes to mind • Do not edit or criticize ideas • Ask friends to help • Generate more ideas than needed

5. Freewriting • Give yourself a time limit • Write continuously on topic • Keep pen or pencil moving • When time is up, circle good ideas

6. Journaling • Take notes on your assignment when ideas come to you • Write every night about topic • Process thoughts on paper

7. Outline • Last step of discovery • Plug info into structure • Skeletal framework begins essay

8. Drafting • Arrange ideas • Fill in details • Clarify purpose • Still changeable • Do not edit yet

9. Is purpose clear? Is audience clear? Is thesis strong? Is thesis supported? Is tone appropriate? Transitions between ideas and paragraphs? Sentences smooth? Words vivid? Grammar? Punctuation? Spelling? Revision

10. Proofreading • Proofread your final draft • Use TWO other readers • Make suggested changes • Print final draft • Yes, proofread slowly and carefully again!

11. Summary • Begin early • Writing is a process • Allow time between steps of process • Ask friends for help • Have fun!