The Writing ProcessStudents learn to write by writing

What is writing?

The Writing Process is recursive

• Components take place roughly in order• At any point in the process the writer can and will

use any or all of the components Reflecting Drafting

Publishing Revising

Proofing Editing

Rehearsing and Planning

• Gather information • Trying out ideas• Thinking about purpose and audience• Gathering seeds, collecting ideas, sketch,

diagram, free write, using notebook• Choosing and developing a seed idea

It is important at this stage to just get going- get your thoughts down…

Drafting and Revising

• From notebook to paper• Getting the ideas down quickly• Adding ideas, details, words, phrases,

sentences, paragraphs, or dialogue to make the piece of writing more effective

• Revise and change, delete the unimportant• Actively works on the draft and revises using

other writers as mentors and peer reviewers

An enjoyable stage…

But revising can also be a tricky laborious stage for students.

Editing and Proofreading

• Polishing selected drafts to prepare for publication.

• Focus on the form of the composition• Learning the tools that will help in editing-

dictionary, thesaurus, technology• Learning to elicit editing help

We work on reworking- use fresh eyes here

Teach students to use a number of resources in a writer’s tool kit here.

Publishing and Reflecting

• The final edit will include all the elements of a published work- a cover which includes all necessary information, typed, graphics as appropriate

• May read the piece to peers as writing celebration

• Time to reflect on development as writer

Writing celebrations are an important way to close a unit before starting again.