The Writing Process

How much is there to do this week?  Fortunately, there were no major issues this week that add more tasks to the list, and no need to re-prioritize the list.  But I do not think anything came off the list last week.  It was hard to focus on the details, and when that happens, you do what you can and keep going.  For my drama class this week we are watching Citizen Kane.  I have not seen this movie in a long while and although I do not always make enough time to watch some of the great classics, I am glad that we are watching various movies in this class and discussing them in the forums.  

This week we are looking at the writing process.  How can it be helpful to writers, to not feel overwhelmed with writing, to become more confident in their writing?  There are three steps in the writing process: Pre-writing, Writing and Post-Writing.  Pre-writing is the planning stage.  We ask questions like: What am I writing about?  Who am I writing to?  What information do I need and what format should I use?  This is where you start jotting ideas, researching material, making notes and an outline, and tracking your sources.  Next you start writing.  Follow your notes, stay on topic and make sure all information clearly adds to the main goal of the document.  Be aware of any requirements for that document, formatting, deadlines, etc.  The last stage is post-writing.  This is where you seek peer review and input.  Read your document and make sure it is clear and concise.  Did you deliver the all the pertinent information in an easy to understand way?  Is it accurate?  Did you use a spell check or some other type of review function to check for grammar, spelling and punctuation?  Did you cite all your sources properly?  Writing is not done until the work is published or distributed.  This can be done online, through email, or regular mail.  It could be done by setting the document in a public place for others to collect and read or included in a product packaging.  

We often see a big project and wonder how we can get that done when all we need to do is step back and take it one step at a time.  The writing process can help you do that.  It forces you to look at each stage and the steps in each stage, to break it down.  If you take the time to make notes and organize them in a way that works for you, then the writing will come together.  Use a review function, have someone read and edit for you the apply the final touches and you will have a polished and concise piece of writing that is ready for distribution.  

 We have almost made it through the week but there is still work to do.  I am off to finish watching Citizen Kane, do an essay and a couple of discussion posts because there is always too much to do.