This document outlines the seven steps of the writing process: 1) discovering ideas, 2) planning and organizing, 3) composing a rough draft, 4) getting feedback, 5) revising, 6) editing, and 7) proofreading. Each step is described in detail, with techniques provided for brainstorming, outlining, peer review, adding and developing ideas, checking grammar, and ensuring the smallest errors are fixed. The overall purpose is to guide writers through the entire process of creating and refining a written document.

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TheWriting Process

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Learning Outcomes
In this chapter, you will learn techniques for….
• Discovering ideas about a topic.
• Planning and organizing a written document.
• Composing a document.
• Getting appropriate feedback on a document.
• Revising a document.
• Editing a document.
• Proofreading a document.

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Seven Steps
of the Writing Process
• 1. Discovering
• 2. Planning
• 3. Composing
• 4. Getting feedback
• 5. Revising
• 6. Editing
• 7. Proofreading

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1. Discovering (LO 2.1)
• Brainstorming
• Listing
• Freewriting
• Questioning
• Journaling
• Sketching
• Talking
• Reading
• Viewing

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2. Planning (LO 2.2)
• Narrowing your focus
• Clustering
• Creating a graphic organizer
• Determining main points
• Ordering ideas
• Outlining (informal and formal)

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3. Composing (LO 2.3)
• Use your discovery and planning stage ideas
to create a rough draft.
• Use your cluster or outline as a guide.
• Focus on the first four points of the rhetorical
star.
• Concentrate on getting your ideas on paper
and not on the presentation.

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3. Composing (contd.)
• Write the easiest part first to build your
confidence.
• Don’t expect perfection.
• Write until you’ve covered all of the main
points you’ve planned to address.
• Save your rough draft or place it in a safe
location.
• Take a break.

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4. Getting Feedback (LO 2.4)
• Conferences
– Meet with your instructor for feedback.
– Don’t expect your instructor to correct your paper
for you.
– Learn to revise and edit your own papers.
• Peer review
– Provide and accept constructive criticism.
– Utilize peer review with writing on the job.

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4. Getting Feedback (contd.)
• Tips for Peer Reviewers
– Consider the writer’s feelings.
– Provide constructive criticism.
• Tips for Writers
– Communicate with the reviewer.
– Take the suggestions in stride.

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4. Getting Feedback (contd.)
• Tips for working writing tutors
– Have a rough draft ready.
– Have your instructor’s directions handy.
– Have specific questions in mind.
– Keep an open mind and a positive attitude.

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5. Revising (LO 2.5)
• Adding and deleting ideas
– Determine if all of the main points are covered.
– Remove points that are unnecessary.
– Watch for unneeded repetition.
– Choose your main points carefully.

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5. Revising (contd.)
• Developing
– Check to make sure you have enough details and
examples to support your main points.
– Try additional discovery techniques.
– Make sure you have enough support to prove your
thesis.

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5. Revising (contd.)
• Arranging
– Determine if the order of your ideas makes sense.
– Move sentences or paragraphs around to create
the best flow.
– Consider saving different versions of your draft if
you’re working on a computer.

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6. Editing (LO 2.6)
• Sentence Structure
– Determine if sentences sound awkward.
– Check for sentences of varying length.
– Watch for choppy sentences.
– Clarify long, unclear sentences.

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6. Editing (contd.)
• Grammar
– Check for subject/verb agreement.
– Look for the proper use of pronouns.
– Determine if the adjectives selected provide
enough description.
– Watch for correct adverb usage.

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6. Editing (contd.)
• Punctuation
– Check for ending punctuation.
– Make sure quotation marks are used correctly.
– Look for semicolon, colon, and comma usage.
– Determine if special punctuation marks are
appropriate for the writing.

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6. Editing (contd.)
• Spelling
– Use a spelling check tool.
– Make sure to watch for spelling issues that would
not be caught with the spelling check tool.
• Mechanics
– Check capitalization.
– Look for abbreviated words.
– Make sure numbers are spelled out if needed.

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6. Editing (contd.)
• Editing marks
– Use editing marks to help edit documents.
– Instructors may use them when grading.

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7. Proofreading (LO 2.7)
• Check the smallest details.
• Read your paper aloud.
• Consider reading from the last sentence to the
first sentence.
• Get an additional peer review for further
feedback.
• Review the paper guidelines provided by your
instructor.