A checklist for the four stages of writing

Madman

Consider why you’re writing: What’s moved you to write? What’s the assignment? What do you hope to achieve?

Think about who your readers are and what they need to know.

Figure out how much time you have, and work out a rough schedule for gathering ideas and material, outlining, preparing a draft, and revising.

Research with imagination and gusto. Take notes on relevant information.

Push yourself to be creative. Don’t be content with obvious ideas that just anyone would think of.

Architect

Jot down your three main points in complete sentences—with as much specificity as you can.

Consider the best order of the three points and reorganize them if necessary.

Decide how to open and conclude the document.

Think about what visual aids might be helpful in conveying your ideas.

Carpenter

If possible, turn away from all distractions. Silence your phone and your computer alerts, and find an hour or so of solitude. You’ll be writing.

Use your three-point outline as a guide.

Start writing paragraphs that support the point you find easiest to start with—then move to the other points.

Write swiftly without stopping to edit or polish.

Try to write a full section in one sitting. If you must get up in the middle of a section, start the next sentence with a few words and then leave. (When you come back, you’ll find it easier to resume a half-completed sentence than to start a new one.)

Judge

Immediately after completing your draft, read it through with the idea of amplifying ideas here and there.

Then let it cool off—overnight, if you can, or for a few minutes if you’re working under an urgent deadline.

When you return to your draft, consider it from the audience’s perspective. Will it be clear to everyone who looks at it, or does it require inside knowledge? Is it concise, or does it waste words and time?

Identify the draft’s two biggest flaws and try to fix them.

Ask yourself:

✵ Is anything essential missing?

✵ Are important points stressed?

✵ Is the meaning of each sentence clear and accurate?

✵ Are my transitions smooth?

✵ What can I trim without sacrificing important content?

✵ Are there any vague passages I can sharpen with specific facts?

✵ Are there boring passages I can word more vividly?

✵ Can I improve the phrasing?

✵ Can I improve the punctuation?

✵ Are there any typos?