The Writing Process

You’ve likely heard the phrase “writing process” before, and the steps below may be familiar to you.

Though these steps are often talked about as separate tasks, they are actually much more fluid. Don’t overlook the importance of the arrows around each item. These arrows indicate the most vital aspect of the writing process: it doesn’t just go in one direction. One step bleeds into the next; sometimes an issue comes up late in the process, such as during revision, which requires going back to the prewriting stage for a bit. This kind of dance through the steps is expected, and healthy—it’s called recursive writing. You make your own path through the process.

The rest of this module will address the individual stages of the writing process, and how they work together.

How Do I Pick a Topic?

Struggling to find a topic for an important writing assignment? You’re not alone. Many students wish professors would assign topics for writing assignments instead of leaving them open-ended. However, this flexibility is meant to encourage creativity, prevent repetitive essays, and allow you to explore what genuinely interests you.

Imagine you’re in an introductory literature course. Your professor assigns a 3-5 page essay on a Shakespearean play, requiring multiple sources. When you ask for guidance, the response is, “It’s up to you. Find your research question.” What do you do?

Tips for Choosing a Topic

• Use Scholarly Sources for Inspiration: Search academic journals and books in your college library’s databases to explore topics that scholars have already studied, which can help spark ideas for your own paper.
• Identify Common Scholarly Discussions: Look for recurring themes and debates in existing research, as scholars often build on each other’s work rather than trying to create completely original ideas.
• Use Binaries to Generate Ideas: List opposing ideas within your subject—such as fate vs. free will or justice vs. revenge—to help identify areas of debate that can lead to a strong research question.
• Engage with the Scholarly “Conversation”: Think of academic writing as an ongoing discussion where scholars respond to each other’s work, and consider how you can contribute a fresh perspective or extend an existing argument.
• Keep Your Topic Manageable: Choose a research question that fits within your assignment’s page limit, avoiding overly broad topics that may be too difficult to cover in depth. Choose something narrow enough that you will have space to use current sources to strengthen your argument with relevant evidence, while also addressing counterarguments to demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

The following video demonstrates the process of selecting and refining a research question.

You can view the transcript for “Research Question – Library Research Tutorial” here (opens in new window).

The Problem of Topic vs. Approach

Some instructors let you pick your own topic, while others give you a set list to choose from. Either way, you still have room to make the assignment your own. The real challenge isn’t just what you write about—it’s how you approach it. If you see writing assignments as just another hoop to jump through, they’ll start to feel like a chore, making the whole process (and maybe even the class) way more frustrating.

Instead, try shifting your mindset. Pick a topic that actually interests you, or find a way to connect it to something you enjoy. Think of your paper as an excuse to explore what made you sign up for the class in the first place. When you approach writing with curiosity rather than obligation, it becomes a whole lot more enjoyable—and your work will be better for it.