The Tools of Writing

I n Chapter 6 we described the process approach to writing, which includes prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and sharing. It is during the editing stage that students need to be aware of the tools of writing, also referred to as the mechanics or skills of writing. These skills begin with legible handwriting and continue with correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. Today, of course, even very young writers use tablets and computers to compose their work and thus need typing and word processing skills in addition to the above. Finally, remember that good writing is about communicating one’s thoughts clearly in a wellorganized manner (Nauman, Sterling, & Borthwich, 2011).