The Writing Process:The Writing Process:OverviewOverview

Student Development ServicesStudent Development Services

Writing Support CentreWriting Support Centre

UCC 210UCC 210

www.sds.uwo.ca/writingwww.sds.uwo.ca/writing

Very personal processVery personal process

Don’t abandon what has worked in the pastDon’t abandon what has worked in the past

Have a methodHave a method

The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process

Standard Writing Standard Writing ProcessProcess

1- Brainstorming1- Brainstorming

2- Gathering Information2- Gathering Information

3- Organizing3- Organizing

4- Drafting4- Drafting

5- Revising5- Revising

6- Editing and Proofreading6- Editing and Proofreading

7- Final Touches7- Final Touches

1- Brainstorming1- Brainstorming

Identify the main purposeIdentify the main purpose

Develop a working thesisDevelop a working thesis

Start with some outlinesStart with some outlines

2- Gathering 2- Gathering InformationInformation

Hit the library and internetHit the library and internet

Be flexible with your thesisBe flexible with your thesis

3- Organization3- Organization

Hammer down a thesisHammer down a thesis

Write a solid outlineWrite a solid outline

4- Drafting4- Drafting

Halfway thereHalfway there

Just get the ideas outJust get the ideas out

Try not to worry about wordingTry not to worry about wording

5- Revising5- Revising

Focus on the big issuesFocus on the big issues

Logical argumentsLogical arguments

Thesis supportThesis support

Detached perspective is essentialDetached perspective is essential

Peer revision helps a lotPeer revision helps a lot

6- Editing and 6- Editing and ProofreadingProofreading

EditingEditing

Focus on the writing styleFocus on the writing style

Sentence structure and flowSentence structure and flow

Appropriate transition useAppropriate transition use

Read aloud; learn your tendenciesRead aloud; learn your tendencies

Hard copy vs. ElectronicHard copy vs. Electronic

6- Editing and 6- Editing and ProofreadingProofreading

ProofreadingProofreading

Checking for errors and typosChecking for errors and typos

Read each sentence carefullyRead each sentence carefully

Best results when rested; learn your common Best results when rested; learn your common mistakesmistakes

Read aloud; read backwardsRead aloud; read backwards

Hard copy vs. ElectronicHard copy vs. Electronic

7- Final Touches7- Final Touches

FormattingFormatting

Get to know your word processorGet to know your word processor

ReferencesReferences

Check every oneCheck every one

Title PageTitle Page

Treat writing like it is your jobTreat writing like it is your job

Develop a methodDevelop a method

Take Home MessageTake Home Message