Although we have started our approach to writing as a process of stages, writing is not a linear or fixed method. Proficient writers would argue that writing is “recursive” in nature, which means it is not a series of steps, but instead a means of revisiting, and reworking what you’ve written until you reach an end point…although this end may likely elude perfection!  Debating if any writing is ever “perfect” is another conversation in itself.  For the purposes of academic writing, your goal might not be perfection, but it most certainly is completion.

The Recursive Nature of Writing

Drafting can be thought of as your work through the recursiveness of the writing process. It is essential to the organization and flow of your paper. Once your general ideas are developed from the prewriting, initial draft, and reverse outline, writing out specific ideas and quotations can make the final writing process much easier. Each draft brings your writing process a little closer to the final product.

It is difficult for instructors to give a grade for drafting for it is not as easy as grading draft one and draft two. Drafting is likely the most under-appreciated aspect of writing for it is how you reveal to your writing self your progress from thoughts to the final paper. Proficient writers would also argue this is the most exciting and daunting stage of writing because it is where the writer struggles with their work . . . but in a good way.

Always write down any ideas you have in the drafting process. It is much easier to cut content from your paper than it is to work on adding content. If you collect all your resources, quotations, facts, ideas, and come up with your main point during the drafting process, your paper will show it. The idea is to provide yourself with as much information as possible in order to create a solid and well thought-out piece. Do less worrying and more writing.

Revising, Editing, Proofreading

Drafting also concerns revising, editing, and proofreading.

Revising

• Revising is done throughout the writing process, with special emphasis on the first few drafts.
• Focus = big issues
  • Audience
  • Organization
  • Content
  • Support
  • Conclusion

Editing

• Editing is done throughout the writing process, with special emphasis on the middle and final drafts.
• Focus = technical issues
  • Usage
  • Word choice
  • Transitions
  • Mechanics

Proofreading

• Proofreading is used for the final draft.
• Focus = mechanics and presentation
  • Spelling
  • Punctuation
  • Format
  • Typographical errors
  • Textual inconsistencies

In this activity, you will explore drafting techniques and practice these techniques in your WordPress blog site.

Directions

1. Review the grading rubric as listed on this page.
2. After posting your reverse outline for the My Writing Process prompt in your WordPress blog, complete the Drafting stage (this might mean two drafts or more . . . the point is to demonstrate your how you improve your writing).
   Here is the topic again for your reference:
   Writing Prompt: My Writing Process
   Think about the type of writing you did in school. What are your memories of those experiences? Do you look back at the type of writing you did with joy or disdain? Did you love or hate writing in school? Do you carry these same feelings today about writing, good or bad, with you to college assignments? How would you describe your writing process? What are your writing strengths and weaknesses?
3. When you are finished developing your drafts, copy and paste them onto a new blog post at your WordPress site.
4. Submit the URL of your blog to your instructor.

Grading

Points: 80

Submitting: a website URL