The document outlines Prof. Monica Fox's recommended writing process, which includes understanding the assignment, generating ideas through pre-writing techniques, planning the draft with an outline and thesis, writing a first draft, revising, editing and proofreading, and creating a final polished draft. The process emphasizes understanding requirements, researching the topic, developing an outline, writing without worrying about minor errors initially, and revising the draft multiple times to improve organization, support, flow, grammar, and formatting.

1. The Writing Process
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

2. Overview of the Writing
Process
 Each writer has their own writing process. This is an
example of an ideal writing process that I recommend
from my experience in teaching Writing Composition
courses.
 Understanding the Assignment
 Generating Ideas through Pre-Writing
 Planning the Draft
 Writing First Draft
 Revising the Draft
 Editing and Proofreading the Draft
 Creating a Polished Final Draft
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

3. Understanding the
Assignment
 It’s important to carefully read and understand the
assignment and the following:
 Purpose – understand whether the essay is meant to
inform, persuade, or provide in-depth research.
 Form –understand the form needed such as length, cover
page, references page, and whether it needs to follow
APA, MLA, or another style.
 Audience –keep in mind who is reading the essay
whether it will be classmates, community members or the
instructor.
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

4. Generating Ideas and Pre-
Writing
 It doesn’t consist of a single method or order.
 Free writing –writing down journal like thoughts on the
topic; this is a good method if one has Writer’s Block
 Researching – beginning to look for information that is out
there on the topic to generate ideas.
 Annotating – writing notes along the margins of articles
read on the topic.
 Listing –listing ideas of what the essay will be about.
 Clustering – drawing a circle with
the main idea in the center and then
creating branches to sub points.
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

5. Planning the Draft
 It may look different for each writer. However, writing
the thesis is very important at this point.
 Writing the Thesis – the thesis is the main idea of the essay
written in one or two sentences at the end of the
introduction.
 Here is an example of a thesis: “In order to prevent
cardiovascular disease, it is important to adhere to a healthy
diet, effective exercise routine, and a balanced social and
emotional lifestyle. “
 Developing an Outline – this will be an overview of the
essay’s layout and can be used when writing the first
draft.
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

6. Example of an Outline
I. Introduction
A. Attention getter –use a short story, quote, or startling statistic.
B. Background and Transition – transition from the attention-getter to the
background and then provide brief background of the topic.
C. Thesis –state the main idea of the essay in one sentence. Here is an
example: “In order to prevent cardiovascular disease, it is important to
adhere to a healthy diet, effective exercise routine, and a balanced social
lifestyle.”
II. Body
A. Point 1: A Healthy Died
1. Supporting Details
B. Point 2: Effective Exercise Routine
1. Supporting Details
C. Point 3: Balanced social lifestyle
1 Supporting Details
III. Conclusion
I. Restate the thesis statement.
II. Create a sense of closure.
III. Leave reader with a memorable thought.
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

7. Writing the First Draft
 Just write! Do not worry much about the grammar at
this point.
 Research as you write.
 Follow the main points and thesis from the outline.
 Follow the introduction, body, and conclusion
requirements.
 Revise very little while you write the first draft.
 Keep going – pretend this is a timed assignment and
write the first draft ahead of time; time is needed for the
last three steps.
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

8. Revising the Draft
 It is a great idea to read the essay out loud once you
printed out the rough draft. Also, have someone else
look at it, too.
 Make sure that the essay follows the thesis statement
and doesn’t go off topic.
 Make sure that the essay is organized with good
transitions.
 Make sure that the essay includes credible resources
properly cited and integrated within the body of the essay.
 Make corrections on the essay and then
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

9. Editing and Proofreading the
Draft
 Edit sentences that have grammatical errors such as
fragments, run-ons, etc.
 Edit any punctuation issues; pay close attention to your
usage of the comma.
 Read sentences out loud if you are not sure that they
make sense.
 Proofread for spelling errors, missing errors, etc.
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.

10. Create a Polished Final Draft
 Make sure that the format of the essay follows the
APA, MLA, or other format.
 Make sure the cover page, running head, references
page are flawless.
 Make sure the essay prints on quality paper and looks
exactly the way in which you expected it after it printed.
 Submit the final draft to your professor. Good job!
Prof. Monica Fox, M.A.