MTTC 002 - The Writing Process

Question 1

Brainstorming

Answer 1

• A technique that is used to find a creative approach to a subject.
• Can be accomplished by simple free association with a topic
• Write everything you can think of about a topic in a word or phrase

Question 2

Free Writing

Answer 2

• A more structured form of brainstorming
• This method involves taking a limited amount of time to write everything that comes to mind about the topic in complete sentences
• Provides a fuller expression of ideas than brainstorming

Question 3

Plainning

Answer 3

• Is the process of organizing a piece of writing before composing a draft
• Can include creating an outline or a graphic organizer, such as a Venn diagram, a spider-map, or a flowchart
• These methods should help the writer identify their topic, main ideas, and the general organization of the composition
• Preliminary research can also take place during this stage
• Planning helps writers organize all of their ideas and decide if they have enough material to begin their first draft
• The plan does not have to be perfect, as the decisions made will likely change later in the process

Question 4

Drafting

Answer 4

• Writers then use their plan, outline, or graphic organizer to compose their first draft
• Writing multiple drafts can help the writer consider different ways to communicate their ideas and address errors that may be difficult to correct without rewriting a section or the whole composition
• Takes away the pressure to write perfectly on the first try, as writers can improve with each draft they write

Question 5

Revising

Answer 5

• Broad changes that involve ensuring that the composition addresses an appropriate audience, includes all necessary material, maintains focus throughout, and is organized logically
• May occur after the first draft to ensure that the following drafts improve upon errors from the first draft
• Some revision should occur between each draft to avoid repeating these errors

Question 6

Editing

Answer 6

• A narrower phase, relative to revision
• Should include steps such as improving transitions between paragraphs, ensuring each paragraph is on topic, and improving the flow of the text
• May also include correcting grammatical errors that cannot be fixed without significantly altering the text

Question 7

Proofreading

Answer 7

• Invlolves fixing misspelled words, typos, other grammatical errors, and any remaining surface flaws in the composition