Bedford Guide Reading (Ch. 1-2)

Chapter two of The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors explains the writing process in great detail. In the Writing Center and Teachers College, a great emphasis is placed on the entirety of the process. In all reality, writing is never a finished product. Writing develops and matures as the writer does; ultimately writing is a reflection of the author.

In the next couple weeks I have the opportunity to teach students at Selma Middle School during my practicum. The teacher, who is absolutely terrific, is going to let me teach an entire week (which is more than what I expected). Usually the practicum consists of a lot of observing rather than doing – one of the great downfalls of Teachers College. Anyways, I’m going to focus my lessons on the writing process while exploring elements of persuasion. This chapter relates very well to the instruction students should receive in the classroom, and of course, the Writing Center.

Revising and editing is probably the most important phase of the writing process. Here students have the opportunity to discuss and clarify fuzzy points within the paper. From a teacher’s vantage point, peer review sessions are essential for students to produce well-developed papers. The more feedback a writer can receive on a paper the more likely the student will excel. Overall, successful writing involves key components (prewriting, writing, revising and editing) that all writers should take into account.