The Writing Process
Everything you do has a process - a series of steps required to obtain
whatever results you seek. Some processes have only one step, like opening
your eyes:
1. Open eyes.
Others require several steps, like getting a job:
1. Look for openings.
2. Apply and schedule interview.
3. Put on tie (or skirt or whatever’s appropriate for the specific workplace).
4. Wow the boss with your extreme charm, advanced skills, powerful work
ethic, and positive attitude.
5. Start work next Monday.
Sometimes the order of steps matters, like going skydiving:
1. Pack parachute.
2. Put on parachute.
3. Fly up 10,000 feet.
4. Jump out of airplane.
5. Pull rip cord.
Sometimes steps can be rearranged or omitted, like when getting a date:
1. Invite someone to an activity.
2. Buy tickets to the activity.
3. Pick up date and attend activity.
4. Drop off date.
5. Go for the goodnight kiss.
Or:
1. Buy tickets to an activity.
2. Invite someone to accompany you.
3. Invite someone else to accompany you.
4. Repeat step 3 until someone accepts.
5. Pick up date and attend activity.
6. Drop off date and skip the kiss.
Some steps cause significant problems when rearranged or omitted, like
when going to school:
1. Get dressed.
2. Go to school.
The writing process has a set of four specific and somewhat-flexible
steps which frequently cause significant headaches when ignored or rushed.
Familiarize yourself with and follow each step to discover how much easier
and more effective your writing quickly becomes.
Meticulously practicing the writing process on even one paper will make it
easier and more natural to follow in the future. Remember how much effort
The Point:
Would you like to
write better papers
in half the time and
with less effort and
stress? The writing
process can make
it happen. Think
through your topic,
brainstorm for
material, and plan
your organization,
then write the
paper. Also plan
time for revision,
though following
the process
significantly
reduces the need
for revision.
DO NOT think you
can take shortcuts
without penalties.
The Writing Process.
The Writing Process 7
Be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Process:
1. Go to bed early.
2. Get up early.
it used to take to tie your shoes? With years of practice, you can now tie them blindfolded in the
dark, probably even under water with a shark in the pool.
Read over this list of processes to further convince yourself of the commonality of processes.
Does the order matter in each case? Can you omit some steps?
Spreading Jam on Toast Process:
1. Toast bread.
2. Spread jam.
Taking a Test Process:
1. Study.
2. Take test.
Changing Lanes in Heavy Traffic Process:
1. Signal.
2. Check mirrors and blind spots.
3. Change lanes.
Having a Friend Process:
1. Be a friend.
2. Have a friend.
Earn an A in Quantum Physics Process:
1. Master basic algebra.
2. Master calculus.
3. Enroll in quantum physics class.
4. Study really hard.
Brush Your Teeth Process:
1. Squeeze toothpaste onto brush.
2. Rinse brush in running water.
3. Brush teeth.
4. Spit.
5. Rinse mouth.
6. Grin in mirror and check hair.
Bake a Cake Process:
1. Preheat oven.
2. Add flour.
3. Add sugar.
4. Add eggs and other stuff.
5. Grease cake pan.
6. Pour cake batter into pan.
7. Place pan into oven.
8. Set timer.
9. Remove cake from oven when timer goes off.