1. The Writing Process
By: Wendy Buchanan
Writing an essay is exciting to some and
intimidating to others. Students who use the
Writing Process to complete their essay often
find writing to be enjoyable and they are able to Following the Writing Process will help you stay organized
produce a high-quality, effective essay. so that you can relax and enjoy writing your essay.
What is the Writing Process? What is the purpose of the Writing Process? Helpful Hint:
The writing process is a series Following a specific writing process allows the writer to Workspace
of steps a writer can follow in stay organized throughout every stage of writing and to
order to produce a high produce quality work for his or her audience. Setting up the proper
quality, effective essay.
workspace can help
When to start the Writing Process? Who should follow the Writing Process?
make the writing
The writing process should begin Students will benefit greatly from following the
process more
with writing down ideas for your Writing Process, but anyone who is writing
essay, immediately after you anything from an email or letter to an article or comfortable and more
receive your instructions for the blog entry will find the Writing Process to be easy efficient for the writer.
assignment. to use and to be a valuable resource.

2. How does the Writing Process work?
The Writing Process is made up of several parts, such as brainstorming, writing drafts, and revising. Following
all of the steps in the Writing Process will help you stay organized throughout your writing and help you to write
a clear and effective essay.
Parts of the Writing Process:
BRAINSTORMING: After receiving your assignment, THESIS STATEMENT: Use your brainstorming ideas
begin writing down ideas to discuss in your essay. to create a thesis statement. Your thesis statement
Try to group similar ideas and information together should be in the introduction paragraph of your essay
so you can easily see the strongest points to include. and will explain to readers the purpose of your essay.
RESEARCH: If your assignment requires research, OUTLINE: Organize information into an outline where
do this after you brainstorm, so you know what the introductory paragraph contains thesis statement
information you need. While doing research you may and preview of points to be discussed in paper, followed
not find the specific information you were looking for by 3-4 supporting paragraphs addressing those points
and find it necessary to revise your original ideas. and a closing paragraph.
Writing Tip!
The more you practice writing,
the easier writing will become.
Recording all sources you view during your research makes it
You can practice your writing
easier to list your resources in your bibliography page. Staying
through a journal, letters to
organized in the earliest stages of your writing will help you
editors, blogs and even social
throughout the entire writing process.
web sites.

3. ROUGH DRAFT: Use your outline to write a rough Writing an essay does not have to be
draft of your essay and be sure that as you write you re- overwhelming and when you follow
member who your audience will be and use vocabulary
the Writing Process you may find
and style that will be easy for them to understand.
that writing in this organized
Writing Tip! manner is helpful and fun.
Taking a break after writing your rough draft will allow you to
come back with refreshed eyes and a clear mind when you are Ready to take your writing to a
ready to proofread your essay. professional level?
Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina
PROOFREAD and REFINE
offers a Bachelors of Arts English program with a
When proofreading your rough draft be sure that: concentration in Professional Writing to help you get
started on the career path of your dreams. For more
 Your purpose is clear information go to: http://ww.wcu.edu/7965.asp
 Your ideas are organized
 You have evidence to support your thesis statement
 All grammar, spelling and punctuation is correct
FINAL COPY: When you are completely satisfied with
your essay, let others read your work. Turning your
essay in to your instructor, sharing it with your
classmates, asking to have it published in your school’s
literature or creating a blog are all ways to highlight
Western Carolina University - Cullowhee. NC 28723
your hard work. For admissions information, contact 1-877-WCU-4YOU or http://admissions.wcu.edu/

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