Using a writing process
A 6-step process for producing essays
Written assignments are one of the major requirements 2. Analyse the task:
of university. The type of writing tasks at university The next step is to determine what the task is asking
varies greatly, but generally, academics expect that you to do. Spend extra time on this step, as it will save
tertiary-level writing will: you time and headaches later.
directly respond to the specific task requirements; Look carefully at the task question (the actual statement
adhere to the conventions of the writing task so or question you have to respond to). Generally speaking,
that the writing fits the requirements of the genre; assignments will typically have a question which
consists of topic words (what the task is about);
present a clear, supported response; direction words (which tell you what to do with the
topic); and focus words (which limit your topic to a
demonstrate evidence of research; i.e. use of
specific area). For example:
literature;
demonstrate understanding of literature through Analyse two theories of education and state a case as to
critical analysis, not just description or summary; which has the most relevance in today’s classroom. Illustrate
how this could apply to your future teaching.
acknowledge all sources used - referencing.
Topic Direction words Focus words
This flyer presents a process that will help you produce
written work efficiently and meet these requirements. By doing this analysis you are able to really ‘get inside’
Note that it focuses on Humanities / Social Sciences the question and focus on what it is asking about.
style of writing. Accurate task analysis informs all of the next steps.
3. Make a plan:
Following the process will make From your analysis of the task, map out a plan. You can
writing an organised, sequenced set of do this on paper or as a Word document, organising
your writing into logical sections. Using the assignment
steps to follow every time you write. as an example, a starting plan (not including Introduction
and Conclusion sections) might look like this:
The writing process
1. Determine the genre: Major Section 1 ‐ Explore theory 1:
Once you have received your assignment you need to Vygotsky’s ZPD
determine the genre; in other words, what type of use definition at LearningTheories.com
+ scaffolding and ‘significant other’ concepts
writing is required.
There are many different types of writing, e.g. essay,
report (business or lab report); literature review; Major Section 2 ‐ Explore theory 2:
reflective writing; annotated bibliography etc. They all Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence
have their own requirements, organisation, structure, 7 aspects or intelligences (Armstrong, p1)
style expectations and language conventions.
For example; an essay generally consists of an Major Section 3 ‐ Argue a case for theory 1 or 2
introduction, a body and a conclusion; it is presented in Choose 1 theory and show how it is effective in modern
paragraphs; does not usually have headings or titles; and classroom
is written in an ‘objective’ formal style where you do not
refer to yourself in the writing. It also has a Reference
Major Section 4 – Application to future teaching
List or Bibliography at the end.
Use examples here from my placements or examples of
If the requirements of the genre are not made explicit to possible future applications
you, or if you are unclear about them, you need to find
out what they are. The Subject Guide or subject page of
Have a section of the plan, where you note details of all
the LMS often has this information.
reference details.
Academic Skills
www.services.unimelb.edu.au/academicskills • 13 MELB • [email protected]
Go for excellence
4. Research and write into your plan: Steps in writing:
This is where you find information to use in your writing. 1) Free write (1st draft): just write; don’t worry about
You are looking for information to fit the sections of your the word count at this point; get ideas flowing on to
plan. the page.
The UniMelb website www.library.unimelb.edu.au Take a break – get away from it for a while
has two excellent resources you can use for research:
2) ‘Hack’ edit (2nd draft): come back and ‘cut’ into the
Discovery and LibGuides.
work. At this stage, you might remove sections that
are repetitive or irrelevant, shift things around, or
make choices about things you don’t need (e.g. if
you have compiled six definitions, you may decide to
Discovery, on the Library frontpage, is a facility enabling
cut back to three).
you to search across databases, catalogues and the
digital repository for information sources. Take a break
LibGuides at www.unimelb.libguides.com provides rd
3) Refine edit (3 draft): come back and ‘fine cut’ the
excellent collections of resource materials specific to writing. Work on expression and clarity; check
discipline, course and subject. grammar and references; make sure the writing
answers the question. At this point you need to look
Make sure you use these resources.
at the word count: are you within the +/- 10% range?
You may find as you research that you refine your initial (There is an expectation that the amount you write
plan; re-organise, change, delete and re-sequence ideas. will fall within 10% of the word count. E.g. for a
2000 word essay, 1800 – 2200 words is acceptable)
As you read, transfer ideas directly into your plan. Fill in
the plan with bullet point information, including Take a break
reference details (author name, page number or URL).
4) Final edit (last draft): do this 1-2 days prior to
Don’t forget this – you can then easily go back and find
submission. Print out the work and ‘hard edit’ it into
the information if you need it again.
the word count range. You are editing for:
Research-to-plan transfer Typos, spelling and grammar mistakes.
Formatting, including line spacing, page breaks,
Major Section 1 ‐ Explore theory 1: font consistency, headings if required
Vygotsky
…
In-text referencing and Reference List correctly
… formatted; sufficient range of sources evident
The breaks in between steps are very
Major Section 2 ‐ Explore theory 2:
Gardiner important. They allow you to create
… distance from the writing, feel
…
refreshed and be able to have a clear,
Support for theory 1 or 2: renewed perspective on the work
… when you go back to it.
…
… 6. FINAL STEP - Submit the work:
Make sure that the writing is ready on the due date.
Check the method for submission (print or electronic),
5. Write: where to submit, and exact time and date. Take into
account that ‘stuff happens’: printers jam, memory
Note that the writing step comes a good way into the
sticks get corrupted etc., so, be prepared. If you can’t
process. The benefit of using research-to-plan transfer is
submit on time, talk to academic staff and be honest. If
that when you are ready to start writing the actual
submitting hard copy, add a cover page; staple the work
paper, you already have information there! This is a very
in order; and, submit on time!
effective way to prevent writer’s block.
One way to start writing is to try expanding the bullet Further resources
points you have into sentences and to link related
Chick, H. Guide to essay standards and report writing. PDF document on
sentences into paragraphs. UniMelb website. Search by title.
Writing is a step-by-step process; it doesn’t just happen Gillet, A. Using English for Academic Purposes. Academic Writing.
at once. Look at the following steps in writing. Retrieved 3 Feb 2012 from http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm
Tertiary Essay Writing. A guide produced by Academic Skills available at
http://cms.unimelb.edu.au/studentservices/asu/flyers/skill
Academic Skills
www.services.unimelb.edu.au/academicskills • 13 MELB • [email protected]
Go for excellence
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