The Writing Process

On this page you will find one of the most popular strategies for writing..."The Writing Process." Each step of the writing process is outlined below along with several activities to conduct during each step. Towards the end of this page you will also find an online checklist to use while you are undergoing your writing adventure. I hope this page serves as a great tool to help improve your writing. Good luck and "bon voyage!"

STEP	EXPLANATION	ACTIVITIES
Prewriting	In this step, you will gather your thoughts depending on the topic you are writing about.	Think about who will read your writing and why? Form your ideas for writing. Gather and record information. Brainstorm words and thoughts. Think about what to say. Make a list, web, picture, etc.
Writing	After gathering your thoughts, you may start to write and address the topic. This will become your first draft of writing. Remember, there is no revising and editing during the development of your first draft. Revising and editing will come after you develop your first draft.	Write your draft.
Revising	After writing your first draft, your next step is to read over your writing and determine how to make it better. You can make your writing better by expanding on ideas that need further development, adding more details, and by removing words or sentences that don't allow your writing to flow.	Read the writing to yourself. Make it clearer. Change any words that are overused. Read your writing to a friend. Listen to the comments your friend has to make in order to make your writing better. Make any necessary changes in your writing (words, sentences, ideas, etc.).
Editing	Now that you have revised your writing and made it clearer, it is now time to make corrections in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Read over your work again and be sure you make any necessary corrections.	Make sentences complete. Check spelling and make sure to dot your “i’s” and cross your “t’s”. Check capitals and ending punctuations. Have someone else check your work.
Publishing	Now that you have written your first draft, made revisions, and edited your work, it is time to write your final draft and publish it by sharing it with someone else.	Write it over into a nice clean draft. Share your writing with others. Read your writing to the class. Make it into a book. Record your writing into a tape. Illustrate your writing.

Use the following checklist as you are in the process of "Revising" and "Editing" your work. This checklist will help improve your writing by going over ways in which to make your writing better and correct your grammar. This checklist allows you to click on the box and check it as you go along. If you prefer to print out your own copy of the checklist and take it with you, click here or scroll down to the bottom of the checklist for a link. Good luck on your writing adventure!

If you would like to obtain a PDF copy of the above Writing Checklist click on the box below.

CATEGORY	RESPONSIBILITIES
Capitalization	I capitalize proper nouns, like the names of people, pets, and places. I capitalize the pronoun "I". I capitalize important words in a title. I capitalize the first word of a sentence.
Conventions	My handwriting is neat. I leave a finger space between my words. My sentences begin in different ways. My sentences are complete. My story makes sense.
Ideas	I use brainstorming and a concept map or outline to create and organize my ideas. I describe where my story takes place. I describe what the characters look like. I describe what the characters feel. My story has a beginning, middle, and end. My introduction is exciting and inviting. I have a satisfying conclusion. I have listened to suggestions from the teacher or peer writers.
Punctuation	I use a period at the end of each sentence. I use a question mark at the end of each question. I use commas between words in a list.
Word Use	I use reference materials to spell words I don't know.