The 7 Steps Writing Process |From Brainstorming to Publishing

The Writing Process: The process of writing includes some steps. When you want to write a letter to your friends, relatives or to the Headmaster of your school, you should follow that process. Again, if you want to write a paragraph, composition or a story, you should know about the process. This process will help you to write freely. Now look at the three main stages of the writing process:

Preparing to write → Drafting → Revising

The writing process also depends on: 

A. Why you are writing (purpose)

B. Who are going to read it (e.g. friend, parents, Headmaster, Principal)

C. What are you writing about (content)

D. Where you are, how much time you have to write, etc. (situation)

In brief, the process of any piece of writing depends on:

1. Purpose

2. Readers

3. Content

4. Situation

Let us now move to the steps in details:

1. Preparing to write: We need some preparations to write. When we write, we think of the purpose, content and situation of writing. Preparations may also differ. For example, your letter to your friend is different from the letter to your parents. Again, when you are very busy, you send a very short message. But when you are not so busy, you could write a longer text.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO FIRST AT THIS STAGE

2. Gathering Idea: Gathering idea or information is essential for your writing. Brainstorming can help you gather your idea.

3. Brainstorming: It means you 'storm' your brain or search your brain for ideas. Take 5 minutes if you do it alone and take more time if you work with a partner or in a group. This is a very speedy process. So, here you:

1. Write down very quickly.

2. Write down everything that comes to your mind. Don't think if they are useful or not.

3. Write down the main points only.

4. You could write down the points in words or phrases. Never think that you must write sentences. 

4. Speed Writing: This is a kind of activity for writing freely.

1. Take 5/6 minutes.

2. Write as much as possible on a topic.
3. Write whatever comes into your head.
4. Continue writing, don't stop until the time is up.
5. Don't worry about correction, spelling or neatness at this stage.

Asking 'Wh' Questions

To collect information, at this stage, you can ask yourself 'WH' questions. But,
here again, it depends on the content. For example, you can ask questions about
'Bees' like:
1. What are they?
2. What do they do?
3. Where do they live?

4. What do they live on?

5. What do we get from them?
6. How else do they help us?

But here you are writing as much as possible. So, don't think much about
grammatical rules, structures, spelling, and punctuation. The next step of your writing is 'planning'.

5. PLANNING: After brainstorming, asking 'WH' questions to yourself and speed writing, you
have got your topic, sufficient ideas, and information in mind in your notes.
Now it is time to make a plan for your writing. Planning includes:

1. The length of the writing
2. Number of paragraphs
3. How should I introduce the topic?

4. Which information should go first, second and the rest?
5. How should I conclude?

6. DRAFTING: The actual writing begins with 'drafting'. In drafting, you will carry out your
planning. Drafting needs revision. So you can allow space after every line.
 
7. REVISING: It is the last stage before we produce the actual writing. You can revise while
drafting or after you have finished drafting. When you revise, you must consider:

1. if it is appropriate for the reader.
2. if it clearly states your purpose.

3. if it is well-organized.

4. if it contains all things you wanted to write.