Language development - Essay Example

The Process Approach to Writing The process of writing is different for each Some utilize conventional steps as advocated by the process approach to writing. Others combine conventional with their own specific style. This paper will focus on five basic steps in the process approach to writing, namely, prewriting, composing, revising, editing and publishing. Prewriting comprises gathering ideas and generating a particular topic to write about. This initial step allows one to decide on a preferred audience.

At this stage the writer chooses a particular purpose for the writing as well as the tone of the overall work. At this preliminary stage it is necessary to investigate the topic through a variety of means. Researchers suggest a number of strategies which may be effective in examining the topic. These include brainstorming, clustering and free-writing (Lipkewich and Mazurenko1999). Clearly, these strategies act as a measure of developing or restricting a topic. The more ideas that are generated at this stage the more structural focus the writer would obtain from this initial piece of writing.

The purpose of this first step then is to establish some sort of structure to the ideas that are generated. Thus, if a writer decides to choose free-writing as a means of initiating the writing process then the writer may begin to write on a topic without interruption until everything the writer knows about the topic is exhausted on the paper. In this case there may no adherence to grammatically correct structures such as spelling, punctuation or even paragraphing. The words that appear on the paper would be an exact replica of the thoughts that flow through the mind.

The second step involves the actual composition of the paper. Some writers use this stage as a means of creating a rough draft of the final paper. The previous stage which may or may not have included free-writing is the precursor to this writing stage where the writer brings some sort of focus to the writing. During this stage therefore the writer must adhere to the mechanics of writing which were previously ignored in the earlier stage. There is need to organize the work in terms of correct punctuation, paragraphing and other grammatical structures which may have been non existent in the previous stage.

Consequently, the major purpose for this writing stage is to add content and organization to the work. The more time a writer spends on this initial writing stage the less work will be needed to complete the final draft. Revising, the third step in the writing process involves a total overhaul of the rough draft. The rough draft from the second step of composing may be written and rewritten several times. Lipkewich and Mazurenko (1999) postulate four major actions which may assist the writer in the revising stage.

These four activities include firstly, ‘adding’ additional material to the previously written rough draft. ‘Rearranging’ and ‘removing’ data to make the writing more effective and fourthly, ‘replacing’ irrelevant and uncreative words or data in order to make the work clearer. The purpose of revising then is to consolidate the material. What the writer knows and what the writer would like the audience to know is highlighted. One method in which the writer attempts to let the writing flow smoothly is to read the work aloud to ensure effortlessness in reading on the part of the reader/audience.

The fourth step is editing. This step connotes feedback in terms of spelling and other grammatical errors. It also allows for feedback on the effectiveness of the work. Editing involves the student performing careful analysis of the piece and utilizing the feedback from peers and others to correct both the grammatical errors and the overall presentation of the material. The author of this paper believes that in addition to the errors the writer would also edit for the tonal quality and the general organization of the piece.

Therefore, the main purpose of this step is to establish feedback from others about the quality of the work. It is also to promote excellence in the final production of one’s writing. Publishing is the final step and involves the actual production of the work. The writer uses whichever media that is preferred for the final writing. Consistent with this idea of preferred media, the writer ensures that specific stipulations are followed such as spacing, number of words and the like. Subsequent to the publishing of the material, the writer shares the piece with others.

It is in the actual sharing of this work that perhaps the greatest sense of pride and joy is felt by the author. Pride in a job well done always produces the zeal for an even greater improvement in future work.The process approach to writing is indeed a dynamic one. It is definitely not static. Interestingly, a writer may return to steps one, two and three and four several times before finally deciding to publish and share the material. Simpson notes that this process approach is cyclical and hence a writer may get to the final step and still decide to repeat the previous steps in order to obtain the best final product.

Without a doubt, the process approach aids the writer to become an excellent creator of writing material.ReferencesLipkewich, A. and Mazurenko, R. (1999) The ABC’s of the writing process. Retrieved on October 25, 2008 from http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/