Personal Experience Example: While beginning the prewriting stage, I try to find as many sources on the topic as I can. I often do not know what route I want to take my paper, but after conducting some research and finding what other authors have written on the subject, I can narrow the topic down and try to write something that would contribute to the conversation on that subject.

Observation of child in that stage: While observing in a kindergarten classroom, the students wrote in their journals daily. There were several times I heard students claim they did not know what to write about if the topic was not given to them. After being encouraged to think about things they enjoy doing, or things they did the previous weekend, the students were able to begin the prewriting stage of brainstorming ideas and picking a topic.

Personal Experience Example: During the drafting stage I just sit in front of my laptop and type. I follow the outline I created in the prewriting stage and just get my thoughts onto the blank page. This step is messy because I often jump around between paragraphs, adding thoughts that come up before I forget them. 

Observation of child in that stage: The students wrote down whatever came to mind in their journals. They did not edit it, there were misspelled words and missing punctuations, but they just wrote. 

Personal Experience Example: This is the hardest stage for me in the writing process. After getting my rough draft written out, I wish I was done writing. Most of my writing has been essays for class, and I have been on a time crunch. I often forget how important it is to take a few days in between the drafting and revising stage, to separate yourself from the text and come back with a clear mind. 

Observation of child in that stage: After reading over their journal entry, the students think of things they want to add to give their writing more detail or things they would like to replace in their writing.

Personal Experience Example: During the editing stage I use the spelling and grammar check on the word processor. After I use the digital checker, I read the text out loud and correct any errors I hear. I also periodically take my writing to a friend and have them peer edit my work. 

Observation of child in that stage: The students read over their work again and look for punctuation and capitalization errors. Then the students meet with the teacher and edit their writing together. 

Personal Experience Example: For me, the publishing stage has been turning in my essays to the professor to be graded. I have not taken the time to read my writings aloud for an audience, because I feel that my writing could still be improved/revised more. 

Observation of child in that stage: The students love the publishing stage, because they get to share their journal entries with their peers.