1. Chapter 1: The Writing Process
Step-by-Step Writing Process:
Prewriting: Think about your topic and gather ideas.
Planning: Examine your ideas and how they relate to your one main idea.
Drafting: Write a rough draft version. You may need to write a few rough drafts.
Revising: Revise your draft.
Proofreading: Check for errors with word choice, grammar, and spelling.

2. Chapter 1: The Writing Process
Suggestions other than the step-by-step approach:
Find your most creative time, and use it for writing.
Use your rough draft as your prewriting.
Give your brain an assignment.
Review the essay assignment, and then do something else; when you return to the assignment, your subconscious may have answered questions.
Realize that doing the grunt work is a necessary evil.
Make a commitment to writing.
Set aside a time when you will write.

3. Chapter 1: The Writing Process
Review of the Paragraph:
The Topic Sentence
The topic sentence has two important functions:
It presents the general topic.
It makes a specific point about the topic.
The Supporting Sentences
Supporting sentences are specific and give details and examples.
They always relate to the topic sentence.
The Summary Sentence
The summary sentence brings the paragraph to a close and can do one of the following:
Restate the topic sentence.
Make a prediction or suggestion.