Research: Describing the Writing Process

Question: What is one way to describe the writing process?

Answer/Quote: “This research was guided by the Hayes and Flower (1980) model of written composition. This model proposes three major writing processes—planning, translation, and reviewing. The function of the planning process is to set goals and to establish a writing plan which will guide the production of text. The translating process acts under the guidance of the writing plan to produce written text. The function of the reviewing process is to improve the quality of text.” P. 121.

Comment: Interesting. My view of the writing process consists of brainstorming the topic, constructing the thesis, writing the first draft based on the thesis with topic sentences beginning paragraphs, constructing the introduction, revising and editing. I think this description of the writing process—“planning, translating, and reviewing”—might, at first, be more easily understood. I like it. RayS.

Title: “Composing Written Sentences.” DS Kaufer, JR Hayes and L Flower. Research in the Teaching of English (May 1986), 121-140.