WORKING THROUGH THE WRITING PROCESS: A STUDENT
GUIDE
Although there is no “set” method for acquiring
and improving basic writing skills, you may develop many writing
strategies that can be used in courses across the disciplines. The
writing process includes many elements: understanding
the topic, brainstorming, research, forming a thesis, prewriting, developing
and organizing content, revising, and editing -- not necessarily in this
order. The more you write, the more you will develop your own patterns
for writing and you may find yourself moving back and forth between stages,
often returning to the brainstorming stage, rather than moving forward
linearly. This writing behavior
is perfectly acceptable! We encourage
you to find a process that best suits you.
However, rather than focusing primarily
on grammar and mechanics, we encourage you to concentrate on developing
this "process," working on the larger issues listed above, and learning
how to use proper grammar within the context of your writing.
Here are some specific tips to help you:
Understanding the Writing Assignment
Understanding the writing assignment means
that you must read (and re-read) the written instructions and highlight
or underline any words that seem especially important. Notice whether the
assignment is made up of smaller assignments. Mark all due dates. Start
early! Meet with your professor to discuss any parts of the assignment
that aren't clear to you. Don’t be afraid to have the professor clarify
the assignment; most professors would rather take the time to explain what
they want than read a paper that doesn't fulfill their requirements.
Brainstorming
Make an appointment with a Writing Center
Consultant or Tutor to discuss your writing assignment. This can
help you formulate ideas about the topic. Often, talking about an assignment
will help you understand how you feel about the topic as well as what direction
you would like your paper to take.
Researching
As soon as possible, go to the library and
request a librarian to assist you with your research. She can direct
you to sources that are appropriate to your topic, as well as the most
recent information about your topic. You also may make an appointment with
a Writing Center Consultant or Tutor who can show you online research
databases and materials. Frequently, researching your topic will
provide you with different perspectives about the topic which can help
you form a thesis.
Forming a Thesis Statement
Forming a thesis statement is especially important
because it dictates your paper's direction. Since the thesis statement
serves as the paper's main idea, while at the same time being fairly specific,
you may need help with drafting a workable statement. Meeting with a Writing
Center Consultant or Tutor while you are working your thesis can aid you
in discovering how you can capture your main idea and/or argument without
being too general or specific.
Prewriting
Prewriting occurs during the discovery
stage of the writing process. It gives you the chance to discuss
your thoughts and ideas, in written form. Different types of prewriting
include listing, clustering, outlining, and freewriting. A Writing Center
Consultant or Tutor can help you learn prewriting techniques as well
as discover which technique(s) work best for you. Often, prewriting
helps contributes toward the development and organization parts of the
writing process because it allows writers to see their ideas on paper without
the added stress of what sort of grade their writing might receive.
Also, at this stage you don't have to worry
about grammar or mechanics. Instead you should focus on your ideas; prewriting,
after all, is an an exploration exercise rather than a formal writing assignment.
Development
One complaint you might have when you get
an assignment is: “I don’t have anything to say about this topic."
Subsequently you find yourself reciting generalities and repeating ideas.
But, while you, indeed, may not think you know much about an assigned topic,
when you start brainstorming, researching, and prewriting you will be surprised
to discover that you do know something about the topic and may even have
an opinion about it. Consultants and tutors can show you how to use a heuristic,
an investigative technique to help you uncover specific examples and details,
as well as to help you choose concrete language. Remember, development
is important because it shows that the writer has in-depth knowledge about
a topic, whether details or descriptions about events, places, or people
from the past, or an argument from all sides.
Organization
A well-developed paper may be difficult to
read and understand if the information is not organized in an appropriate
and logical manner. Different papers require different organizational
styles; an analysis paper might use a comparison/contrast organization,
while a business report might be organized into unique categories.
It is important, therefore, to construct each paragraph according to topic,
and organize the topics so that the reader will be able to clearly follow
the ideas as they point back to and support the thesis. At this point,
Writing Center Consultants and Tutors again can help, serving as readers
and providing feedback about organization and details (and all matters
pertaining to writing, for that matter) before the paper gets turned
in for a grade.
Revising/Editing
There is no such thing as a perfect paper;
however, revising your writing ensures that your paper is the best it can
be, given the assignment and time constraints. (A caution here: Don't
wait until the last minute to write or to revise an assignment!) Revising
should encompass more than just grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A Writing
Center Consultant or Tutor can help you become aware of your most consistent
errors and give you strategies to find and correct them. Editing
always should be the final stage in the writing process.