Writing Process
A model for the writing process can be very similar to the model for telling stories. The model helps give support; however, the process is likely much more recursive in nature.
The following are aspects of the writing process and may not flow in a linear fashion.
Pre-writing – Brainstorming, planning, building ideas, setting the stage, choosing audience and purpose.
Drafting – Getting ideas recorded, starting to organize
Revisions – Rework to improve structure, logic and ideas. Focus on improving meaning, style and form
Editing- Improving Grammar and conventions
Proofreading – Checking for errors
Publishing- Producing a ‘final’ or ‘clean’ copy – Sharing with an audience – May include additional features – Images, illustrations, dedications, author notes, title page etc
Performance Standards are another tool to support growing as a writer or storyteller.
The BC Ministry of Education has developed Writing Performance Standards for K to 10. Working with Performance standards allows students and teachers to both have the same language. Within the Performance Standards for Writing, the following definitions are applied:
Meaning – ideas and information, including development and use of detail
Style – clarity, variety, and impact of language
Form – attention to the “rules” of the particular form of writing
Conventions- spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and legibility
There are many writing activities that focus on or use specific aspects of the writing in the 21st Century. Writing is much more than storing words on a piece of paper. The primary function of writing is to communicate. The communication can be directed to the world, the an individual or group, or to ones self. Since we are looking at communication rather than putting letters in order on a page, we need to consider the variety of ways to communicate to the world, individuals, or to ones self.
I know growing up most of my writing instruction was on Conventions. The beauty of storytelling is that the language of stories is much more fluid. This places the focus on meaning and using the wrappers of style, form and conventions to enhance not define the story.