Which of the following sequences correctly lists the stages of the writing process from start to finish?

• A. Pre-writing, Composing, Sharing/Getting Audience Feedback, Revising, Editing State - Outside Editor, Publishing
• B. Planning, Drafting, Editing, Publishing
• C. Pre-writing, Drafting, Revising, Editing, Publishing
• D. Pre-writing, Revising, Composing, Sharing, Editing, Publishing

Answer: (A)

The sequence starts with preparing ideas and planning before you write, which is essential to give direction and purpose to the piece. Then you turn those ideas into a draft through composing. After you have a draft, sharing it with others to get audience feedback helps you see issues you might miss on your own. Using that feedback, you revise to improve structure, clarity, and content. Then you edit to fix grammar, punctuation, and mechanics, often with help from an outside editor. Finally, publishing makes the work available to readers.

The other options skip or misplace important steps. One option uses planning instead of pre-writing and omits the feedback and external-editing that often occur before final polishing. Another option moves from drafting to revising before you’ve fully drafted, and lacks the feedback loop. The last option places revising before composing, which disrupts the logical flow of drafting before refining.