The Writing Process

Start with the stages

Begin with the mind map Writing Process. Its opening branches cover prewriting: choosing a topic, considering purpose and genre, and gathering and organizing ideas. The drafting branch moves on to writing a rough draft and emphasizing ideas. Use these branches to see how preparation leads into putting ideas on the page.

Next, open Writing Instruction for a view of the stages that continues through revising, editing and publishing. Compare its planning and drafting branches with the first map. Notice how each resource organizes the stages and describes the work involved.

Review with flashcards and maps

The flashcard decks on the writing process ask about the stages and the purposes of forming intentions, composing and drafting, and proofreading and editing. After studying a map, try answering a card before looking at its response. Return to the relevant branch when you want to review an idea.

There are no quizzes listed on this page, so the flashcards offer a way to check your recall. You can also use a mind map to organize your own notes about the stages and their purposes.

Connect the process to teaching

Other maps place the writing process in a teaching context. One Writing Process map includes mini-lessons, modeling, individual and small-group opportunities, and time for sharing. Teaching writing considers reasons for writing, including writing for learning and developing writing skills.

These resources connect the topic to the wider Teaching Writing unit in the subject Education and pedagogy (incl. teaching methods, curriculum, educational psychology). Move between the process maps and the teaching-focused maps to compare what writers do with how writing can be taught. Explore a map that fits what you are studying.