The writing process

What does it mean to write?

To make marks that represent letters, words, or numbers on a surface, such as paper or a
computer screen, using a pen, pencil, or keyboard, or to use this method to records thoughts,
facts, or messages.

We transform ideas into written texts. And this intends a problem: that writing is linear, but
thinking is not. We have to organize our ideas so we can make them linear in the text.

Writing is a skill, thus, it can be trained and improved.

Writing is a process in which the text is the final product.

When we write something, we have to express an idea, to convey a message. Communication

is the basis in the writing pyramid.

Stages in writing

Writing has been defined as the process of “generating, formulating and refining one’s ideas”
(Zamel 195).

- Pre-writing
o Define your strategy: consider the subject, the purpose, and the audience.
o Explore your ideas:
 Brainstorming: listing your thoughts as they come to you to generate
ideas
 Clustering: creating a cluster diagram in which you connect your ideas
 Freewriting: writing about the subject without worrying about logic,
structure, or grammar.
o Organize your ideas:
 Selection: select your best ideas and the information that you want to
include in your text to ignore irrelevant or repetitive material.
 Outline: schematic or preliminary plan of your text (it should include
that main ideas and supporting ideas).

o Subject:
 Choose the topic
 Do some research and collect information
 Take your stance  what is your thesis?
o Purpose  communication always has a purpose: to inform, persuade,
entertain, etc.
o Audience adjust to your audience (does the reader know about the subject?
Does s/he agree with it? Do I know the reader personally? Is the reader a
teacher?)

- Writing
At this stage, you put your ideas into words:
o Explain your ideas fully and accurately
o Connect your ideas clearly
 o Support your argumentation with facts, data, or other person’s ideas
 REMEMBER: AVOID PLAGIARISM
Whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize other person’s ideas,
you must acknowledge it  CITATION

- Re-writing
o Revision:
 Once you have finished the first draft, read it paying attention to the
content and structure of the text:
 Is the information presented in a logical way? Should I
rearrange the sentences/ paragraphs/ sections?
 Is the argumentation sound? Should I add/ remove any idea/
quote?
 Can this idea be expressed in a more clear/ idiomatic way?

From planning to writing: the structure and style of research papers

Outline:

- Intermediate activity between research and writing

- Particularly useful for “beginners”  it will help you to organize your ideas and the
information you have collected
o Relevance: Delete irrelevant or repetitive material: do away with anything that
is not connected with your thesis statement or may weaken your argument

The structure of research papers