Using Process Writing
by Dorothy E. Zemach

Writing ought to be the easiest of the four skills for students. Unlike the listener or the reader, the writer controls all the words.  And unlike the speaker, the writer can plan what to produce well in advance; then once the writing is produced, they can go back, check it, and revise it.  And yet, many students struggle with writing more than with the other skills.  Process writing is a method of approaching this skill that allows students to take advantage of the opportunities writing offers.  Process writing is generally agreed to mean that the writer follows these steps:

1 Brainstorming

2 Organizing

3 Drafting

4 Editing / Revising

5 Publishing

Inexperienced—or unsuccessful—writers, whether they are native or nonnative speakers, are often tempted to begin at Step 3—writing the first draft.  After all, wouldn’t it be faster and more efficient to use three steps instead of five? However, this often ends up costing the student more time.