1.5 Writing Processes
Just as we use design processes to creatively solve complex problems, we use writing processes to create complex documents. In both cases, there are steps or stages, but we don’t always proceed directly from one step to the next in a chronological manner, and they will vary from person to person. These processes are often iterative, meaning we might return to previous stages in the process from time to time. The more complex the task, the more iteration might be needed. Examine the design process (Figure 1.5.1) and writing process (Figure 1.5.2) diagrams below. What similarities and differences can you see in these two processes? How are they similar or different to your own processes?
You may have come across a writing process diagram before, and it may or may not have worked well for you. There is no single process that works for everyone in every situation. The key is to recognize the various steps in a typical writing process and figure out how to use or adapt them most effectively for your situation.
Knowledge Check: Review the video, 5 Steps of the Academic Writing Process, and answer the embedded questions.
You may have also come across the 40-20-40 writing process, which suggests that you should break up the amount of time you spend on the writing task into three distinct stages of planning, drafting and revising, and give each one a specific percentage of the time you have available.
With the increasing use of LLMs in the writing process, the ratio of time spent on planning, drafting and revising should be revised to more realistically represent the balance of AI-engaged and human-engaged time: Consider the 35-15-50 ratio.
35-15-50 AI-enhanced Writing Process
Stage 1 – Planning: Spend 35% of your time planning your document (task analysis, thinking, discussing, free-writing, researching, brainstorming, concept mapping, focusing ideas, outlining, etc.). In this phase, integrate LLM assistance with intentionality, clearly separating “just me” tasks from “LLM” tasks. For example, you should carefully think through the task at hand to narrow the focus of your work and determine the extent of research required and how the LLM and other genAI applications can assist. You should begin by conducting some research to familiarize yourself with key issues and topic areas, then integrate genAI research applications into the process to deepen your knowledge. You can then work interactively with the LLM to brainstorm ideas and generate outline options to get started on ideation.
Stage 2 – Drafting: Spend 15% of your time drafting your document. At this point, you can enlist the LLM through detailed prompting and with a solid outline to draft your message or document. As covered in Chapter 2.5 on prompting, the quality and detail in your prompt will determine how many times you will need to ask the LLM for revisions or improvements, so the more detail you include in your prompt the more efficient the process will be. Remember, the