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The Writing Process GENERAL STEPS IN THE WRITING PROCESS 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Prewriting and Planning Good planning and preparation are the keys to good writing. a.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thinking The first thing that writers should learn about writing is that it starts with thinking. Those who learn to write well know that a good deal of thinking needs to take place before any writing happens. Many people who have trouble writing have trouble because they don't know how to get started. A writer needs to start by thinking about the topic. Usually, in professional life or college, the topic is given, at least in a general way. For example, you may be assigned to write a marketing proposal for next year, or write a position paper on how the new Eurodollar will impact international exchange rates. Start by just thinking about the topic. Let your mind center on it. What do you already know about the topic? What don't you know? What do you need to know? b.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gathering Information Begin brainstorming and perhaps jotting down information and ideas. Let your mind flow with the topic. Don't concern yourself with what the information or ideas are; just write down anything related to the topic that occurs to you. If it helps you to make mind maps, use other graphics, or make lists, do so. Brainstorm until you can't think of anything else to jot down. Be as specific as possible with any details. After you've finished brainstorming, look back at the information and ideas you've thought of and written down. Review the material to see if anything else occurs to you. Think about what other information you might need to gather. What else do you need to know? What questions might someone have about your information? Make a note or two about where you think you could find the information you still need. If you need to go to other sources, such as the library or databases, to get information and do some research, then do so. Make copies, mark them up, highlight passages, etc. When you've gathered all the information you think you'll need, stop and check. You need a lot of information and details to work with, of course, but check to see that you have the most basic information: the 5Ws+H. Do you have all the information for your topic regarding who, what, where, when, why, and how? Do you have names and specific details? If you discover you are missing any information or necessary details, go back to your sources and get them.