The Writing Process: Drafting | Rhetoric & Composition | Study Hall

Summary

Learning a new language or writing can be challenging but rewarding. Drafting is a crucial step in the writing process, but it’s not the entire process. It’s about translating ideas into text while remaining open to change. Drafting often overlaps with other stages like planning, revising, and editing. Dr. Emily Zarka explains that drafts are provisional, allowing for multiple versions before reaching the final product. Through examples, she highlights how drafting is an evolving process that helps refine ideas and achieve writing goals, encouraging flexibility and persistence.

Takeaways

• 📝 Drafting is a key part of the writing process, but it’s just one step among others like invention, planning, revising, and editing.
• 🤔 Thinking of drafting as a separate phase from writing reduces pressure to make every word perfect from the start.
• 💡 Drafting brings ideas from planning into a text form, but it’s open to change and refinement as you progress.
• 📚 Writing happens in various environments, from word processors to specialized software, and even voice-to-text tools can assist.
• 🔄 The writing process is non-linear, with drafting intersecting invention, planning, revising, and editing at different stages.
• 🛠 Experimenting with different drafting strategies, like disconnecting from distractions or more thorough planning, can lead to better results.
• 🖋 Drafts are provisional, meaning they can and should be refined as new information or requirements come up.
• 🔍 Drafting can involve jumping around between different sections, not necessarily writing in a straight line from start to finish.
• 📏 Feedback and revisions may require going back to earlier stages of the process, but this is part of refining and improving the draft.
• ✅ The mindset of creating multiple drafts, rather than viewing each draft as a final product, fosters improvement and flexibility.

Q & A

What makes learning a new language challenging?

Learning a new language is challenging because it involves not only mastering new words and grammar, but also understanding slang and cultural nuances that may not translate directly.

Why do English speakers use metaphors like 'get down to business'?

English speakers use metaphors like 'get down to business' because the transition from thinking about doing something to actually taking action is considered a significant moment. These metaphors emphasize the importance of starting the task at hand.

What is the difference between drafting and the entire writing process?

Drafting is just one step in the writing process. It involves transforming ideas and planning into text, but it is not the final product. Other steps like invention, revising, and editing also contribute to the final piece.

How can reframing the writing process as 'drafting' help reduce pressure?

Reframing the writing process as 'drafting' reminds us that every word doesn't have to be perfect from the start. It allows writers to focus on progress rather than perfection, reducing the pressure of writing a flawless first draft.

What are some techniques that can make drafting more efficient?

Efficient drafting techniques include writing a draft quickly without second-guessing, jumping around in the text to work on the clearest parts first, and incorporating some light editing as you go.

How has technology improved accessibility in drafting?

Technology has made drafting more accessible through tools like voice-to-text software, which can help those who struggle with traditional typing. Drafting can also occur in various digital environments like word processors or even movie editing software.

Why is it important to see drafts as 'provisional'?

Drafts are provisional, meaning they are open to change. This mindset encourages experimentation and helps writers view their work as a process of continuous improvement rather than a one-shot effort.

What should a writer do when receiving feedback on a draft?

When receiving feedback, writers should retrace their steps to determine if minor tweaks are sufficient or if more significant revisions, including new plans or drafts, are needed to meet the goals of the project.

How can the drafting process be non-linear?

The drafting process is often non-linear because writers may switch between invention, planning, drafting, revising, and editing. Writers might go back to earlier stages when refining their drafts or responding to feedback.

How does Gemma's bio-writing process illustrate the flexibility of drafting?

Gemma's process of writing a bio shows the flexibility of drafting because, after receiving feedback, she had to revise her original draft to fit the new requirements. Her first draft wasn't wasted, as it provided the necessary information for her revised, shorter bio.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 The Challenges and Rewards of Learning a New Language

This paragraph explores the complexities of learning a new language, focusing on how different places and groups have their own slang that can be difficult to translate. It uses English phrases like 'get down to business' to explain how metaphors are often used when discussing the transition from planning to action. Writing is presented as a similar process that involves a blend of imagination, research, and physical act. The paragraph emphasizes the non-linear nature of writing, with blurry lines between planning, drafting, and editing.

05:01

✍️ Drafting: A Key Step in the Writing Process

Here, the concept of drafting is clarified, stressing that it's only one step in the writing process. Writers often confuse drafting with the entire act of writing, but acknowledging it as just a part can alleviate pressure. Drafting transforms planned ideas into text, with room for refinement later. The paragraph introduces the idea that drafting can be iterative and less about perfection, encouraging writers to be flexible as they move towards their final product.

Keywords

💡Drafting

Drafting is the process of putting ideas into written form, but it is not the entire writing process. It is an intermediate step where writers begin turning their plans into text, which remains open to revision. In the video, drafting is portrayed as a flexible phase that allows experimentation, where the writer refines thoughts without pressure for perfection.

💡Invention and Planning

Invention and planning refer to the initial stages of the writing process, where ideas are generated and organized. These steps happen before drafting begins and involve the writer thinking through their objectives and structure. In the video, it's emphasized that these stages are crucial for guiding the drafting process and help prevent premature attempts to finalize writing.

💡Revision and Editing

Revision and editing are the stages that follow drafting, focusing on refining and correcting the text. Revision involves making substantial changes to improve content and structure, while editing focuses on smaller corrections like grammar or punctuation. The video illustrates that these steps are essential to create polished writing and are part of a cyclical, non-linear process.

💡Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that represents an abstract concept by comparing it to something more familiar. In the video, metaphors like 'getting down to brass tacks' are used to explain abstract writing concepts, such as starting the physical act of writing after planning. These expressions help explain the process of turning thoughts into action.

💡Non-linear Process

Writing is described as a non-linear process, meaning that stages like drafting, revising, and planning don’t always follow a straight path. Writers often move back and forth between these phases. The video shows how writing involves revisiting earlier stages, such as returning to invention when drafts don’t meet the project's needs.

💡Provisional

Provisional refers to something that is temporary or subject to change. In the context of writing, drafts are described as provisional because they are not final and can be revised multiple times. The video stresses that drafts should be seen as changeable documents that evolve through feedback and revision, rather than as completed works.

💡Critical Feedback

Critical feedback refers to constructive comments provided by others to improve a draft. In the video, it’s explained that feedback often leads to substantial revisions, prompting writers to re-evaluate their work and make changes. The process of receiving and applying feedback is integral to refining writing.

💡Writing Environment

The writing environment includes the physical or digital space where drafting occurs. The video highlights how modern writing can take place in various environments, such as word processors, screenplay software, or even by voice-to-text tools. These environments influence how comfortably a writer can draft, with the video suggesting adjustments like disconnecting from the internet to minimize distractions.

💡Spontaneity

Spontaneity in writing refers to the unplanned or instinctive moments that arise during the drafting process. In the video, it is mentioned how drafting often involves spontaneous jumps between stages of writing, such as editing while drafting or revising ideas during the writing phase. This fluidity is part of what makes the process dynamic and adaptable.

💡Invention Strategy

An invention strategy is the method a writer uses to generate ideas before drafting. The video discusses how invention can include brainstorming, researching, or outlining a plan. These strategies are essential for a successful draft because they provide a foundation for the writer to build upon, as seen in the example of Gemma, who prepares by reviewing bios and her resume before drafting.

Highlights

Learning a new language involves not only words and grammar but also understanding slang unique to different regions and groups.

Metaphors are often used to describe the transition from planning to taking action, reflecting how pivotal this moment is.

Writing is a complex process that goes beyond the physical act of putting words on paper; it involves imagination, research, and drafting.

Drafting is not the entire writing process, but just one step in creating a piece of work.

Thinking of drafting as part of the process relieves pressure, allowing the writer to focus on getting ideas down without worrying about perfection.

Drafting is where invention and planning take text form, creating a foundation that can be refined later.

The process of drafting can be fluid, where writers often move back and forth between planning, writing, and revising.

Students can experiment with various drafting strategies, such as using voice-to-text software, jumping between sections, or refining during writing.

Drafts are provisional and subject to change, emphasizing the iterative nature of writing.

Gemma’s example of writing a bio illustrates how a first draft, while not final, helps refine ideas and work toward a specific goal.

Revisions might require significant changes, including rethinking the invention or planning phases to create a more fitting draft.

Even if a draft doesn't meet its intended purpose, the work can be valuable for future projects.

Drafting helps writers learn and improve by retracing steps and making necessary revisions to achieve their goals.

Framing writing as drafting rather than a single, definitive version reduces the fear of failure and encourages experimentation.

Drafts are about progress, not perfection, and the willingness to revise and change leads to better writing outcomes.

Transcripts

Learning a new language

is a really rewarding but  challenging experience, right?

Like not only are you learning  new words and grammar,

but then every place or even groups of people

have their own slang that might  not translate very clearly.

Like, just think about how  many phrases we have in English

to talk about getting something done.

Maybe you've heard people say stuff like

let's get down to business  or get down to brass tacks.

They don't really mean that  you should launch a corporation

or finish upholstering a  chair with some brass pins.

It's just a way to say, let's do this.

Part of why we use a lot of metaphors

when it comes to getting stuff done

is that the point between  thinking and planning something

and actually doing the thing  is a significant milestone.

And so even though some of us English speakers

like to focus on this momentous moment

when action starts happening,  writing can be a lot messier.

Like, the physical act of typing

or putting pen on paper is writing,

but writing also refers to

the entire imaginative  research and creation process

of written communication.

And depending on how you want to work,

the lines between the thoughtful planning stages,

the putting words on paper stages,

and the finalizing stages can be kind of blurry.

But thinking about

how we turn our preliminary  ideas into actual writing

can still help us prepare

for the real and sometimes  messy work of getting going,

getting off the ground, and getting rolling.

Let's get the show on the road

and learn more about drafting.

Hi, I'm Dr. Emily Zarka,

and welcome to Study Hall Rhetoric & Composition.

So let's start with what drafting is not.

Though it can feel like a  pretty significant phase,

drafting is not the entire writing process.

It's just one step.

And when writers think drafting equals writing,

they discount all the other steps

that help us create our best writing,

starting with invention and planning

and wrapping up with revising and editing.

And recognizing that drafting  is just part of writing

can actually be kind of freeing.

Like if we tell ourselves,

I'm drafting my paper tonight rather than,

I'm writing my paper tonight,

we're reminded that every word  doesn't have to be perfect

and there's not so much pressure.

Instead, think of drafting as the phase

where your invention and planning  get put into a text form.

It's open to change,

but it's also moving you toward the final product.

It's based on your plan,

but it's also something that can be refined later.

So let's think through what  drafting really looks like.

For me, when I'm writing a script or an essay,

I'm usually sitting at a computer,

typing and retyping sentences,

clicking over to my sources for inspiration,

and rereading any other materials.

That's a pretty complex experience.

And in 2022, drafting can happen

in all kinds of digital environments,

like a word processor document,

but also in a movie editing software

or in a specialized program

for creating screenplays or digital games

or so many other things.

Accessibility tools have made drafting

in a way that works for your  brain even more possible.

Many students discover

that after struggling with keyboard input writing,

they're able to flourish

by speaking their sentences  into voice-to-text software.

And with such a complicated experience,

it's pretty likely that, realistically,

we don't fully separate drafting  from invention and planning

or from revising and editing.

We'll talk more about it

in a specific episode on drafting techniques.

But part of invention could  be drafting a complete draft

but doing it quickly without  a lot of second-guessing.

Other techniques that also yield drafted work

can include jumping around in the text,

writing things like the core part of the paper

before writing the introduction

in order to work on what is  most clear in your mind first.

And we'll often do at least some editing as we go,

as you'll note if you ever click the backspace key

to correct a typo right after it occurs.

We still benefit from a big-picture reread

when a draft is fairly complete.

But you'll notice that

lots of your individual moments of drafting

are spontaneous hops and  skips between all the stages:

invention, planning, drafting,  revising, and editing.

Figuring out the exact strategies for drafting

that work for you starts with understanding

what drafting is, but it  continues to develop over time.

So when you're not getting  what you want from drafting,

try to look at the work you're doing

and see if there's something you can change

to experiment and have more success.

Like if you're distracted by your pinging email,

you can try disconnecting from the internet

or switching to a physical notebook.

Or, if you find that you get stuck a lot,

maybe experiment with a longer,

more thorough planning process

before you dive into the draft.

And really, the biggest truth about drafts

is that they are provisional or open to change.

Drafting is an opportunity  to learn that intersects with

and draws on all the other  phases of the writing process.

And just because it might  take us more than one version

to get to the final product,

that doesn't mean that time is wasted.

Let's look at an example.

Gemma has been asked to submit  a short bio about herself

for a conference where she'll be speaking

to her fellow flavor development chemist.

Now, it's just a short bio,

so her invention and planning strategies

aren't super formal.

In fact, she might not even  realize that's what she's doing,

but they do matter because they help her

get a sense of the project

and evaluate a lot of options for her bio.

She thinks through what she  wants someone to know about her

at the conference and how its purpose

can be to communicate who she is,

plus help her do some networking

and establish her credibility

so people will come to her talk.

And rather than just starting writing

and ending up with pretty  much her entire autobiography,

she sets up a plan for how she'll draft too.

She'll reread four of the last year's bios,

look over her own resume

for potential accomplishments and language to use,

and then type up a few sentences to start.

Her drafting involves slipping back and forth

from the physical program  from last year's conference,

her own resume,

and an empty document where  she's adding sentences.

She ends up putting together a long paragraph

that reflects her professional experience,

where she's worked, and where she was educated.

But when she sends it to the conference organizer,

she finds out they're only doing

three-sentence bios this year to save space.

This revision request ends up being basically

a return to drafting.

But that's part of how the writing process works.

It's often a non-linear journey.

Though Gemma's initial work wasn't in vain,

she actually has all the needed information

in her original draft,

so she can make a second draft

that fits her needs much faster

than if she was starting from scratch.

She still spends time reviewing the sentences,

so she makes a great first impression,

but her first and second drafts

helped her address her audience

and the specific needs of the task.

So even seemingly simple projects

can go through multiple drafts

as we learn more about the  project and what we want to say

and refine our initial ideas

from the invention and planning phases.

That doesn't mean you did the assignment wrong

or that you're starting over completely

because you know a lot more  now than you did at the start.

Drafts are always subject to  change, even major change.

The trick is figuring out

how much change is actually  necessary, which is a big part

of becoming better and better at drafting.

Think about it like if you lose your keys.

You retrace your steps until you find the moment

when you inexplicably stuck  your keys in the freezer

or wherever they ended up.

Similarly, when you receive

critical feedback on some writing,

you'll retrace your steps.

Do you just need a tweak here or there

or more substantial revisions?

Just as often,

you'll need to go further back in the process.

Maybe a new invention or a  new plan are what you need,

which will lead to an entirely new draft.

If, after she'd found out  it had to be a lot shorter,

Gemma had just gone back

and corrected a typo in her long bio

and then resubmitted it,

the conference organizer would  be understandably annoyed.

She needed to retrace farther  back to draft a new short bio,

not just tweak the one she had.

At the same time, Gemma didn't  fail to produce a good bio.

She can reuse what she'd written somewhere else,

even though it didn't suit  this particular project.

And we've got to stop thinking

of our writing efforts as failures.

Drafts can always have a next draft.

She and we are doing the best we can.

We may find dead ends on what we're promising,

drafting directions, and we may realize

that what seemed aligned with our purpose

just won't accomplish our goals.

Try to see your success as a writer

as based upon your willingness to work the steps

and retrace as needed, writing new drafts

and making changes to them

until your writing accomplishes your goals.

When we define a single  draft as the act of writing,

we're more likely to feel  like that was our one shot,

and now we've failed.

Thankfully, that's not true.

And framing this step as  drafting rather than writing

really helps us keep

the potential for change and new drafts in mind.

We hope that your process,

but not your home, is very drafty.

After all, it's invigorating

to start seeing your plans take shape as text.

Let's get down to business and draft.

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