Page 42 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Focus on the Writing Process:

Completing the Steps

Think of the steps that went into painting this sign. Someone
planned it right down to the size of its letters and its position on

the street. Yet, clearly, something went wrong during the

process.

Taking shortcuts in any process, including the writing process,

can result in embarrassing mistakes. So even if “Dash it off and
hand it in” has been your motto until now, give the writing

process a chance, and allow yourself time to complete all the

steps. That way, whatever you are writing—a paper for school,

a memo for work, a purchasing request, a legal document—will

reflect your best effort.