The Writing Process

Writing a standard piece of information is a five-step process that allows a writer to transform initial ideas into a polished final product. This structured approach helps ensure clarity, structure and accuracy.

1- Pre-Writing Techniques

Prewriting techniques are the planning stage of the prewriting process, occurring before the actual drafting begins which help the writer generate, explore and organize ideas. These activities allow the writer to focus his topic with an aim to produce a first rough draft (not the final polished document).

Suppose the author has a topic ‘The Impact of Mobile Phone on Interpersonal Communication’ to write on an expository essay. He may choose any of the following five pre-writing techniques to prepare his first rough draft.

1.1- Brainstorming (by Alex Osborn, 1940's)

Brainstorming is an idea-generating technique which requires to start writing abruptly whatever comes to mind at first-hand about the topic. It focuses on quantity rather than quality which means to list suddenly-approaching maximum ideas ignoring their accuracy or relevance to the topic. For example,

1- Less face-to-face interactions

2- Wastage of time

3- Dangerous during driving

4- More friends but poor relationships

5- Misunderstandings on the account of absence of context

6- Easier to express feelings behind the screen

7- Stay connected

By the end, three or four points which seem most relevant to the central theme (Less face-to-face interactions, Misunderstandings, Poor relationships) can be isolated to make them basis for body paragraphs production.

1.2- Free-Writing (by Peter Elbow, 1973)

Another prewriting technique which is adopted by many to gather raw information is freewriting. This method promotes a romantic idea that the writer predetermines a fixed time (= 5 or 10 minutes) and keeps writing continuously whatever comes in mind related to the topic without pausing or rereading. Add to this, if he gets stuck at any point, he should keep writing the last word he wrote over and over until new ideas come.

1.3- Mind-Mapping (by Tony Buzan, 1960's)

It is known as visual technique because it prompts to present mind’s outcome (raw information) in graphical diagram. According to this method, the writer immediately writes the main topic in the center of a blank page and draws its possible branches representing sub-topics which further open into several sub-branches representing supporting details. For example,

Topic: ‘The Impact of Mobile Phone on Interpersonal Communication’

Branch 1: Positive Effects

Stay connected with near and dear ones

Support community by providing health tips

Branch 2: Negative Effects

Misinterpretation of messages

Long hours of talk lead to conflicts

The advocates of this method claim that this type of visual mapping finally serves as foundation on which the writer may build his entire essay.

1.4- Questioning (by Gatz, 2004 and Liu, 2006)

This method is particularly used to explore a topic deeply, generate ideas and narrow down the focus. In this technique, the writer generates topic related different questions using 5Ws and 1H (what, where, when, why, who and how) and list them on paper, selects most relevant ones and generates their answers at the same time which serve to develop paragraphs. For example,

Who makes maximum use of mobile (teenagers and household ladies)

Where do we see its biggest impact (colleges and workplaces)

1.5- Outlining (mid 20th century)

This method of prewriting strategy demands a sharp mind with fertile imagination. The writer organizes main points in his mind and creates a logical structure which works as a scaffold for essay writing. The writing starts with the creation of introduction which ends with a clear thesis statement which leads the whole essay to a particular direction, then lists the main points of each paragraph in hierarchical or linear order (topic sentence, supporting evidence and conclusion). For example,

Introduction

Hook: Mobile phone has snatched the relationships from people

Background: Results of previous research studies.

Thesis: People think that they have become closer with the advent of mobile phone but in fact, they have drawn apart from each other and have lost emotional closeness. 

 Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: text messages are often misinterpreted

Evidence: Studies showing examples of conflicts resulting from messaging

Conclusion line: Lack of nonverbal cues creates misunderstandings

2- Drafting (three stage process of drafting techniques)

Next to prewriting techniques is drafting where the writer puts all information, gathered through any of the prewriting techniques, on the paper and gives it a proper shape of draft. Nevertheless, drafting itself is a three-stage process.

2.1- Zero Draft

The very first rough draft that the writer prepares with the help of information gathered through any of the above prewriting techniques is called the zero draft (subject to many changes). The goal is to jot down all raw and messy information on paper quickly, completely ignoring the structure of the draft (using bullet points) and quality of the information items. In short, the writer creates the zero-draft maintaining a focus on expressing ideas freely ignoring the structure, errors and grammar which need to be addressed in later stages.

2.2- Structural Draft

Structural draft is the first real draft that the writer prepares by picking core items from all scattered and raw information of the rough draft and sorting them into a logical sequence. It ensures that essay has all relevant paragraphs (introduction, body and conclusion) and each paragraph has its specific components e.g., introduction has a hook, background and thesis. In short, the writer’s focus centers on sound structure neglecting the smaller details left to be refined in the next stage.

2.3- Polished Draft

This is the third stage where the writer looks for smooth sentence structures, simple and concise language and use of transition words (which connect words and paragraphs). Nevertheless, this draft is not the final draft. It needs further finishing (polishing) through editing and revisions.

3- Revising and Editing (ensuring correct grammar, clarity, coherence etc.)

Revising and editing are two distinct stages which polish a draft to set it ready for peer review process. Revising focuses on ‘big picture’ (structural changes) whereas editing deals with surface level improvements (spellings and grammar).

3.1- Revising

At this stage, the writer looks to improving structural changes particularly reordering paragraphs to ensure flow, adding missing details or removing irrelevant information and rewriting sentences to maintain clarity.

3.2- Editing

Editing deals with surface level improvements e.g., fixing grammar errors and correcting punctuation marks and improving word choice. Now, the draft is ready for peer review (crucial stage).

4- Peer Review and Feedback (providing and receiving critique)

Peer review is a process of evaluation which plays a crucial role in the drama of ensuring the credibility, accuracy and relevance of the final draft before final submission.

4.1- Who is a Peer Reviewer

An expert in the relevant field of study, a colleague or a classmate who has ability to critically evaluate your piece of writing and pass his judgement (feedback) can be a peer reviewer.

4.2- Types of Peer Review

The type of peer review identifies who knows whom during the evaluation process of a piece of writing.

 4.2.1- Single-blind Review

During review process, the reviewer knows the name and affiliations of the author but the author knows nothing about the reviewer.

4.2.2- Double-blind Review

The reviewer and the author both do not know each other’s identities.

4.2.3- Open Review

Both author and reviewer know each other’s identities.

4.3- What is Feedback

Feedback is the critical evaluation that a reviewer passes and the author receives. The reviewer critically evaluates the draft and records its pros and cons (feedback) and the author receives the feedback with open heart with an aim to refine his final draft for final submission.

4.3.1- Ethics of Giving Feedback

Start with Pros: The peer reviewer should open his comments with highlighting the positive aspects of the draft. (Your thesis statement is else clear and the essay is well organized)

Prefer Questioning to Ordering: Ordering in feedback may have a hidden aspect of rudeness. Instead of ordering (Put an example here), try to ask (where can I find the evidence?)

Be Specific: Instead of saying ‘Why it is so confusing?’, explain why it is confusing (I lost the main point here)

Focus on the Text: Criticize the writing not the writer.

4.3.2- Ethics of Receiving Feedback

Feedback can be hard to digest but remember that the critique is about the writing not about the author. So, avoid being personal.

Listen without Defending: Just listen and thank the reviewer.

Look for Patterns: If multiple reviewers point to the same issue, consider revision.

Evaluate Comments: it is not necessary to accept all feedback. Evaluate feedback and make changes where necessary.

5. Proofreading (fine tuning of the draft)

Proofreading is the final stage of writing process. The goal is to trace out surface level errors, which can distract the reader.

5.1- Areas of Focus

Spelling Errors: Tracing misspelled words and unnecessary capitalization

Punctuation: Putting the right mark in right place

Formatting: Ensuring required font, size and style

Typos: Finding and correcting typing errors (‘teh’ for the)

5.2- Effective Proofreading Techniques

5.2.1- Take a Break

After completing the final draft, do not start proofreading immediately. Take a break for an hour, a day or a week. This will wash away stress and strain. Then, proofread the text carefully. This technique quickens ability to trace out errors sharply.

5.2.2- Read Backwards

Pick the last sentence of each paragraph and read it slowly to look for errors then, do the same with the second last one and repeat this process reading backward to the first sentence. This approach enhances focus on error picking.

5.2.3- Read Aloud

Reading aloud adds ears to eyes in the process of error picking. Try to read aloud and slowly each and everything inclusive of headlines and punctuation names.

5.2.4- Use a Ruler

Put a ruler below the line you read. This will prevent your eyes from distracting attention.

5.2.5- Use a Paper Format

Avoid reading on screen. Take a print out of the text and proofread it. It will help see errors you missed previously.