The Writing Process (Continued)
Drafting
This is the stage when you actually do your writing. You put your ideas down, attempt to stick to your topic while also narrowing it down and developing a direction. Don't worry if you find you have to change your thesis and topic sentences at this point—the drafting stage is all about change.
This is also the stage when you begin to shape your essay. You narrow your topic, figure out your initial focus, and organize the essay. Some people like to begin this stage with an outline so they know where they're going and it helps them stay focused. On the other hand, some people like to just start writing and eventually they figure out where they're going and what their focus is in the essay. In any case, in drafting, determine your thesis, essay map, and topic sentence. You may need to revisit this step often as your thesis and topic sentences change. Nothing in the writing process is ever set in stone! Find what works best for you.