For writing a paper, whether it is a term paper of even a simple analysis, I have a completely different writing process. There are so many "prerequisites" that apply to my writing as a process. Here's some of my rules:
- have to write on college ruled paper
- Easy Touch pen and a mechanical pencil
- music (instrumental only)
- comfy clothes
- I will write usually in the afternoon/evening
- research everything first; sit with complied notes
- have rough outline...extremely rough, written out
- Must have a really well worded introduction (hardest part for me)
- must write on actual paper first before typing in Word
- Apartment has to be clean
- Alone
My pre-write generally consists of research and then highlighting the similarities, if any, between my sources and start from there. But prior to that I have to develop my thesis. I have gotten more and more picky about how specific my thesis has to be. Bulleted notes often accompany my pre-writes.
The actual writing can take place in about a 24 hour period. Depending on the length of the paper and the amount of my research it could be more or less. My actual writing also contains the process of me typing the written words onto the page. I also consider this part of my re-write because I change the wording and correct my mechanics as I type my paper. I listen to how the writing sounds as I type it out. I know that I lack in the area of re-writes. I don't do it enough and I focus mainly on the content rather than the grammar, which is the opposite of what most people do, I think.
Process in the classroom is CRUCIAL. Being a writer does not happen in a day. It takes practice. Years of practice in fact. I believe that in the classroom you can begin to form a habit within the student to where they will always see any type of writing as a process. I think it is highly important to tell them that writing is a process and not just lead them blindly down the road of "writing process."
2 comments:
I've lived with you. And I'm your best friend. Your writing process sounds way more OCD than it actually is. In real life, your writing process (while truthfully described) seems much more normal and sane. We've written together. I know.
I enjoyed reading Rachel's analysis of her own writing process and her friend's reply. This short discussion shows that when we attempt to chronicle our own behavior systematically we may make it seem more mechanical and orderly than it really is. I suspect that for most of us the writing process cannot be broken down into a list.
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