Writing Process

Here are some links to different resources on the writing process that might be useful for students to read or for teachers to consider as they plan class discussions and activities.

Brainstorming

• "Brainstorming" from UNC: This UNC handout provides a thorough list of brainstorming techniques and explanations of why they might be helpful in different writing situations. 
• "Pre-Writing Strategies" from York: This York University resource breaks down several points about pre-writing, including specific brainstorming activities.  
• "4 Steps to Successful Brainstorming": This Forbes article is not about brainstorming for writing; rather, it is a reflection on how to brainstorm successfully to solve problems. This can inform the way we talk about the larger purpose of brainstorming and how writing skills connect to general problem-solving skills. 

Outlining

• Purdue Owl Outlining Components: Discusses parallelism, coordination, and subordination and gives samples of different types of outlines
• University of Washington Writing Center Outline Guide: provides justification for using outlines and samples along with advice on flexibility 

Drafting

• "Shitty First Drafts" by Anne Lamott (pdf): Drafting is hard for everyone, and nobody can make that clearer or more genuine than Anne Lamott with her honest and hilarious style. 

Feedback

• "Using Peer Review to Help Students Improve Their Writing": This Washington University resource discusses the pedagogy behind peer review, some common pitfalls, and suggestions for best results. 
• Writing@CSU Peer Review Actitives: This Colorado State University resource has several teacher-submitted classroom activities, including a section on peer review. 

Revision

• "20 Great Writers on the Art of Revision": This collection of quotes from famous authors helps to demonstrate that revision is a part of the process for everyone, and it's not always the easiest part. 
• Acts of Revision Chapter 1: Acts of Revision is a book on revision aimed at students, and the first chapter has been made available online. This chapter deals with student attitudes toward revision and how they sometimes are the first to be revised. 

Proofreading

• "10 Most Common Writing Errors": This Montana State University handout has a quick and simple list of the most common writing errors and how to correct them. 
• Grammar Bytes!: This interactive online game allows students to try their hand at a variety of grammar exercises. 
• STLCC's Writing Resource Handouts: This collection of writing resources tackles a range of writing issues including format, style, and grammar. 
• Humorous Reminders of Common Writing Errors: This do as I say, not as I do approach from the University of Minnesota has some quick, funny reminders for common grammar mistakes.
• 15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly: This very visually-based post has a rundown of some of the most common errors and how to fix them.
• Grammarly Handbook: This online handbook contains tips on style, grammar, and formatting.
• Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips: This website contains grammar advice in quick, funny, and informative pieces.

Recursiveness

• "Writing is Recursive": Author Darcy Pattison has a short, simple post about the recursive nature of the writing process.