DRAFTING

After planning, you are ready to begin drafting – that is, composing a preliminary version

of a message.

Tips for successful drafting:

•         Do not combine drafting and revising. They involve two separate skills and two separate mindsets.

•         Do not begin writing too early.

•         Avoid the rush.

•         Probably the most important thing to remember about drafting is to just let go – let your ideas flow as quickly as possible onto paper or computer screen, without worrying about style, correctness, or format.

Most find it easier to first get their ideas down on paper in rough-draft form, then revise.

•         Avoid moving from author to editor too quickly.

•         Remember, your first draft is just a draft. So, don’t expect perfection, and don’t strive for it.

•         Concentrate, instead, on recording in narrative form all the points you identified in the planning stage.

•         When you have finished and then begin to revise.

You then will likely discover that a surprising amount of your first draft is usable and will

be included in your final draft.

•         Many writers find that the most efficient way of drafting a message is at the computer because it is easy to revise messages with word processing software.

Handwriting found to be the least efficient.

Getting Started

Employ the power of positive thinking, then you can write an effective message.

Writer’s Block

•         It is the inability to focus on the writing process and to draft a message.

•         The causes of writer’s block typically include:

•         Procrastination (Putting of what we dislike doing).

•          Impatience

•         Perfectionism (believing that the draft must be perfect the first time)

Strategies to Overcome Writer’s Block

•         Choose the right environment

•         Schedule a reasonable block of time

•         State your purpose in writing

•         Engage in free writing

•         Avoid the perfectionism syndrome

•         Think out loud

•         Write the easiest parts first.

Remember

There is no one best way, so choose what is effective for you.

WEEK 13/LECTURE 13

REVISING

Revising is the process of modifying a document to increase the effectiveness. Revising involves several steps. Most writers revise first for content, then for style, and finally for correctness. All types of revision are most efficiently done from a typed copy of the draft rather than from a handwritten copy.

Revising for Content

•         After an appropriate time interval, first reread your purpose statement and then the entire draft to get an overview of your message. Ask yourself such questions as these:

•         Is the content appropriate for the purpose I have identified?

Will the purpose of the message be clear to the reader?

•         Have I been sensitive to the needs of the reader?

•         Is all the information necessary?

•         Is any needed information missing?

Is the order of presentation of the points effective?

Revising for Style

•         Read each paragraph loud, if possible.

•         Try reading your message aloud to friends or colleagues, and have them read your revised draft. Ask them what is clear or unclear. Can they identify the purpose of your message? What kind of image do they get?

Securing feedback will help you identify areas of message that needs revision.

Revising for Style (Continues)

•         Make sure the readability of your message is appropriate for the intended audience.

Calculating the readability of your draft is often a useful first step in the revision process.

Revising for Correctness

The final phase of revising is drafting, the process of ensuring that writing conforms to standard English. Editing involves checking for correctness, that is, identifying problems with grammar, spelling, and word usage etc.

All three types of revision – for content, style, and correctness – can be accomplished most efficiently on a computer.