Understanding the Writing Process

1. Planning the Document
   
   1. Analyzing Your Audience
   2. Determining Your Purpose and Strategy
   3. Generating Ideas
   4. Researching Your Subject
   5. Organizing and Outlining
   6. Devising a Schedule and Budget

2. Drafting the Document
   1. Text
   2. Graphics

3. Revising
   1. Read and Reread
   2. Using Revision Software
   3. Seeking Help from Someone Else
   4. Usability Testing

4. Some Useful Links:
   Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students
   These thorough guidelines include information about technical-communication situations that engineering and science students often face. The discussion on audience focuses on helping writers analyze their readers.

   Paradigm Online Writing
   Assistant Professor Charles Guilford's site includes an excellent discussion of the writing process and pays particular attention to common writing errors. Guilford's tips on the discovery process, organizing, and revising will also benefit all writers.

   Writer's Handbook
   The University of Wisconsin Writing Center includes guidelines on sentence construction and development. Topics considered in the Writer's Handbook include academic writing, research, peer reviews, documentation styles, grammar and style guidelines, letters, and essays.

   Purdue University's OWL
   Covering planning, drafting, and revising, Purdue University's online tutorial includes many instructional handouts, advice, and quick-reference guidelines. Their examples and exercises are designed to help students develop effective writing skills.

   One Last Look: The Final Quality Control Review
   For more information on revising, read Robin A. Cormier's excellent essay.