Process: The Writing Process

2.2. The Writing Process

In the United States, writing instruction began to change with the advent of more holistic methodology in language teaching. This change came on the heels of several innovative strategies and approaches, ultimately causing a shift from the traditional rote and stiff methods of instructions. Because of this, the teaching of writing began to change and instead of a focus on the grammatical standards of writing, greater focus was placed on its ability for critical expression and deep thought while emphasizing writing as a process. Indeed, educators began looking at writing as a recursive process which allowed the writer to go through several stages before reaching the end product [Hillocks, 1987]. Less emphasis was placed

The writing process, in fact, provides writers with enough time and opportunity to revise and reconsider their work. Studies to date indicate that through the writing process students learn not only to be good writers but more importantly to become thoughtful writers [Flower & Hayes, 1981]. One of the concerns of language teachers is not the fact that students will not write but they are more concerned by the quality of work that their students produce. Instead of deeply considering their subject and form, students rush through their work to finish it. But writing requires careful thought and deep consideration in order to effectively communicate one’s ideas. The writing process arms students with enough bullets to fire the

If we are to accept that writing requires active thought and it is not a passive activity then certainly the traditional methods used so commonly to teach Caribbean students need to be thrown out. Asking students to merely fill-in the-blanks is an obvious discord from the beautiful music that real writing can bring. Students should be taught the process of writing, which provides a unique form of feedback because the process then becomes the product. Or given the fact that writing becomes more internalized, students themselves can become more attuned to their own abilities and not rely on someone else’s work. Benefits like these allow for the full range of support from both educators and stakeholders in the educational