Essay Writing I: The Writing Process

Essay Writing I: The Writing Process (Planning the Essay: Terms and Directives for Essays)

Bailey 2015: 40-47

The Process Approach

  • In academic writing, the process approach is preferred over the product approach.
  • The process approach encompasses a series of steps that must be followed to effectively complete the essay writing task.

The Writing Process

  • The writing process consists of three main stages:
    • Prewriting/Pre-drafting
    • Writing/Drafting
    • Post-writing/Post-drafting

Prewriting/Pre-drafting

  • Prewriting, or pre-drafting, is the initial stage of the writing process that focuses on planning and preparation.
  • Key activities involved in prewriting include:
    • Selecting a Topic:
    • It's crucial to choose a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow.
    • If a topic is assigned by the lecturer, the student should adhere to it.

Prewriting Activities

  • Prewriting encompasses several activities which include:
    • Analysing the Essay Title
    • Gathering Information for the Essay
    • Organising the Information

Analysing the Essay Title

  • When analysing the essay title or question, students should:
    • Read the title or question carefully.
    • Focus on the keywords present in the title.
    • This analysis helps to:
    • Determine the actual focus of the topic.
    • Clarify what is required, such as whether to describe, narrate, or compare.
    • Decide the necessary amount of information for the essay.

Gathering Information for the Essay

  • After analysing the essay title, the next step is to find and collect relevant information.
  • Various methods of gathering information include:
    • Starting from an internal source:
    • Brainstorming ideas from personal knowledge.
    • Engaging in freewriting to flow ideas without restriction.
    • Conducting research involves:
    • Reading various sources and taking notes.

Sources of Information for the Essay

  • Begin the information gathering process through self-reflection and memory recall.
  • Subsequent to brainstorming, utilize diverse external sources, including:
    • Journal Articles
    • Books:
    • Both e-books and physical books, including textbooks and chapters.
    • Periodicals:
    • This includes newspapers, almanacs, and magazines.
    • Reference Sources:
    • Encyclopaedias, dictionaries, etc.

Other Forms of Research

  • Additional means of gathering information are through:
    • Experiments
    • Interviews
    • Surveys
  • Information may also derive from attending lectures and seminars.

Organising Information for the Essay

  • After gathering information from multiple sources, the next step is to organize that information effectively.
  • A beneficial method for organizing information for an essay is to create an outline.

Drafting/Writing

  • Following the outline, writers enter the drafting stage, which consists of two steps:
    • First or Initial Draft
    • Rewriting/Revising

Drafting/Writing Activities

  • The first draft entails composing various paragraphs according to the structured outline.
  • Rewriting involves modifications to the initial draft aiming to enhance and finalize the essay, including:
    • Reorganizing, changing, deleting, or adding information.
    • Rearranging paragraphs for better flow.
    • Ensuring unity, completeness, and cohesion throughout the essay.
  • In examination settings, time constraints may mean only a first draft can be completed, necessitating careful composition during drafting.

Post-writing

  • The post-writing stage is the final phase of the writing process, comprising two significant activities:
    • Editing and
    • Proofreading
  • Proofreading entails a meticulous review of the essay to identify mistakes relating to:
    • Spelling
    • Grammar
    • Usage
    • Punctuation
    • Omissions
    • Other mechanical inaccuracies
  • Editing involves rectifying the identified errors.
  • It is essential to proofread and amend all errors before submitting the essay.

Summary

  • Academic writing advocates the process approach to essay writing, which involves the progression through three main stages:
    1. Prewriting
    2. Writing
    3. Post-writing
  • Each stage incorporates specific activities necessary for producing a high-quality academic essay.

Summary Breakdown

  • Prewriting Activities:
    • Includes analysing the essay title, gathering relevant information, and organizing that information.
  • Writing Activities:
    • Involves composing paragraphs with organized information and incorporating necessary details, along with the revision phase.
  • Post-writing Activities:
    • Comprises proofreading and editing to ensure clarity and correctness before final submission.