Marco Ponce Version 1 Year ?06-?07 CH 3 ? Planning and Drafting your Paper 3.1 The Writing Process ? The writing process consists of the following stages 1. Understanding the assignment 2. Zeroing on a topic 3. Gathering information 4. Organizing the information 5. Developing a thesis statement 6. Writing the first draft 3.2 Understanding the assignment Following directions is crucial. Ask yourself what the assignment allows you to accomplish. By doing so, you can find your purpose. 3.3 Zeroing on a topic A subject is a broad discussion area; a topic is one small segment of a subject. If you choose your own topic, pick one narrow enough so that you can develop it properly