The Writing Process broken down into easy steps so that you too can be a fantabulous writer

1. Essay WritingEssay Writing
The Process:
From Inspiration
to Publication

2. Writing is a form of
communicating ideas and
information much like speaking.
While there are some very obvious
differences, they are similar in a few
important ways. Keeping these in
mind will help with the basic
structure of your writing and your
essays.

3. Speaking Writing
Thoughts Sentences
Topics Paragraphs
Conversation Essay
When we speak, we change the words we
use and the way we use them according
to the situation and the person listening.
It is the same with writing.

4. The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process
P u b l i c a t i o n
E d i t i n g a n d P r o o f r e a d i n g
R e v i s i n g
D r a f t i n g
P r e w r i t i n g
I n s p i r a t i o n

5. InspirationInspiration
This is the very first step in any writing
project. It is the moment when you have a
subject to write about.
Inspiration can be as mysterious as waking at 3
in the morning with the vivid images of a dream
still swirling around your head or as everyday as
the words of your history teacher giving out an
assignment on the benefits and drawbacks to
contact between Native Americans and
Europeans.

6. Pre-writingPre-writing
The initial collection of ideas you have for
your topic.
Usually a matter of personal preference, each
writer needs to find the method(s) most
conducive to their writing style.
Free-writing, outlining, webbing and
jotting notes are just some of the
possibilities..

7. DraftingDrafting
An initial organization of your ideas
into essay form.
At this stage, it is only necessary to
concern yourself with creating a strong
opening and covering all of your ideas in
detail. It is known as a rough draft
because it has not yet paid attention to
specific word choice or grammar.

8. RevisingRevising
Now that you can look at your essay as a
whole, you should begin to experiment
with organization, take out anything that
doesn’t work and assess the audience
and language level.
This is also a good place to ask
someone else to read your essay.

9. Editing and ProofreadingEditing and Proofreading
This is the point at which you reread the
essay watching carefully for the little things.
• grammatical errors
• spelling errors (especially those that spell
check does not catch like from and form)
• recognized personal weaknesses
• variety in sentence structure
• a strong ending or conclusion to the essay

10. PublicationPublication
This is the moment of truth when
all of your hard work is recognized.
Publication can be in the form of a
best-selling novel, a love poem for
your significant other, a thank you
note to your grandmother, or a
finished essay turned in to your
teacher for grading.

11. Some Final TipsSome Final Tips
• Read your essay aloud to yourself. Listen
to how it sounds. There is no better way to
judge your work, especially when it comes
to how well the essay flows.
• Begin the process early. The steps work
best when there is some time between
them.
• Remember that content is only part of
the battle. How well it is presented is
also important to an essay’s success

12. Final Tips (Con’t)
•There is nothing wrong with
multiple drafts. Use as many as you
need to make your choices. Don’t
be afraid to experiment.
• Take what you have learned and
apply it to your next inspiration. You
never stop developing as a writer.