It's a Process

You’ve heard the term Process Writing if you’ve taken English classes in the past few years. What does it mean, though, to call writing a process?

The word “process” is, according to the Microsoft Word sidebar definition, “taking something through an established . . . set of procedures or steps to convert it”; “a systematic series of actions directed to some end”; or “a series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result.”

In short, the status quo is not the way to go. Your first ideas, notes, and draft are just a beginning; and your first draft is probably not the paper you should turn in for a grade, even if that’s what you want to do to have it over and done so that you can head to the beach.

Process Writing consists of preliminary work and then more work (brainstorming to get ideas and then several drafts before it’s done). Brainstorming might involve an outline to structure your paper, lists of key points you plan to make, or other notes to guide you through to the completion of your paper. Multiple drafts are also nearly always necessary before the paper is ready for other readers. Few writers manage to produce their best work right off the top of their heads, and fewer still can succeed without revisions.

Like other processes (no need to mention sausage making), one thing follows another as you make changes to achieve your goal, and the process might become a bit messy along the way. You might have to move whole paragraphs to other, more logical, positions in your paper. (Be fearless when copying and pasting paragraphs or sentences, but always save the first and all other drafts as you continue to revise.) Be liberal with highlighting and sidebar notes to yourself.

The main idea behind Process Writing is that it is a work done in stages, a work that takes time, effort, and thought. Systematically reviewing drafts, noting what works - and what doesn’t - is part of the process. You have the time (you did begin the paper early, right?) and the liberty to change your mind as well as your words when you put ideas on the page. Until your instructor has your work in hand, it is totally yours and yours alone to change.

Plan in advance, then, and take some time to think it through before starting. You have probably already guessed that my favorite spot for thinking is on the beach where the sound of the surf and the raucous calls of the gulls inspire me. Your source of inspiration may be different, but to put thoughts upon a page in words requires ideas first and then the systematic work of refining your words to make your ideas clear to potential readers.

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!