The Writing Process
PREWRITE
The writing process is a series of steps that
good writers use to complete their work.
The steps are prewriting, writing, revising,
editing, and publishing.
*Notice that writing is NOT a linear
process! Good writers move back and forth
between the steps of the writing process to
improve their writing, and so should you!
WRITE
REVISE
EDIT
PREWRITING
Selecting a topic:
PUBLISH
 Search for possible writing topics
that meet the requirements of the assignment.
 Select a specific topic that really interests you.
Gathering details:
 Learn as much as you can about the topic before you start writing.
 Consider what to emphasize in the writing – either an interesting part of
the topic or your personal feelings about it. This will be the focus, or thesis,
of your writing.
 Decide which details you want to include in your writing. Also decide on the
best way to organize the details.
WRITING
Developing the first draft:
 When you write your first draft, concentrate on getting your ideas on
paper. Don’t try to produce a perfect piece of writing.
 Use the details you collected and your prewriting plan as general guides,
but feel free to add new ideas as you go along.
 Make sure your writing has a beginning, a middle, and an ending.
REVISING
Improving your writing:
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Review your first draft after setting it aside for a while.
Use these questions as a general revising guide:
o Do I sound interested in my topic?
o Do I say enough about my topic?
o Are the ideas clear and in the right order?
o Does the beginning draw the reader into the writing?
o Does the closing remind the reader about the importance of the
topic?
o Are the nouns specific and the verbs strong?
o Are the modifiers (adjectives and adverbs) clear and well chosen?
o Are the sentences varied? Do they read smoothly?
Try to have at least one other person review your work.
Make as many changes as necessary to improve your first draft.
EDITING
Checking for conventions:
 Edit for correctness by checking for punctuation, capitalization, spelling,
and grammar errors. Also ask someone else to check your writing for
errors.
 Prepare a neat final copy of your writing. Proofread this copy for errors
before sharing it.
PUBLISHING
Sharing your writing:
 Share your finished work with your classmates, teacher, friends, and family
members.
 Consider including the writing in your portfolio.

Thing about submitting your writing to a publication.