The Writing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Writing Process is a personal and flexible approach that varies among writers. It consists of four stages: Prewriting and Planning, Writing, Revision, and Editing. The process begins with identifying an idea, followed by building on it through free writing or brainstorming. Next, the writer creates a rough draft without worrying about grammar or word count. Then, revisions are made to add details, rearrange paragraphs, and eliminate unnecessary information. Finally, editing involves checking for repetition, spelling, punctuation, clarity, and grammar.

The Writing Process

The Writing Process
All the writers follow their distinct style writing process. There is no algorithm for the
writers which can be used as a reference for writing (Van Waes et al., 2014). However, writers
can identify or create their process of writing using the following steps.
1. Prewriting and Planning
This step involves the processes of identifying the idea, building on the idea either using free
writing where the writers let their ideas flow out without caring for editing or through
brainstorming on the idea using the computer.
2. Writing
Writers do not care about the grammar or word count in this step as the purpose of this step is
to create a rough draft after completing all the planning. Writers consider this step as a free-
writing exercise with little more direction (Van Waes et al., 2014).
3. Revision
This is the step where the major changes are brought about in the draft by the writer. At this
stage, writers add all the necessary details so that the draft can make more sense, rearrange the
paragraphs to ensure the flow, remove the unnecessary details to eliminate information overload
and replace some parts of the draft after getting feedback from colleagues and friends.
4. Editing
At this stage, writers check for repetition, spelling, punctuations, clarity, and grammar.
Editing is typically performed by the professionals.

Importance of Writing Process
While writing an essay in an English examination, I encountered that it was quite easy for
me to write the essay as I had previously experienced writing. Routine writing unintentionally
helped me in developing my own writing process. I came to know about my writing process
when writing the essay came very easily to me which was the outcome of having my own
writing process.

References
Van Waes, L., Van Weijen, D., & Leijten, M. (2014). Learning to write in an online writing
center: The effect of learning styles on the writing process. Computers & Education, 73, 60-71.