PRODUCT VS PROCESS APPROACH TO WRITING

Product approach is centred around providing students with a model which they are encouraged to mimic. This approach is heavily directed by the teacher where students are expected to replicate the samples provided. As I reflect on my years as a student , it is alarming that the vast majority of my teachers employed  the product approach in their venture to teach us "how to write". It is now apparent that the grades which I cherished as trophies of excellence were reflective of my ability to reproduce what my teachers wanted. Consequently, this stifled my creativity and I have now understood why so many of my peers despised writing.

However, it is my belief that if the process approach was utilized, not only would attitudes  improve but also the ability of students to express  their creativity and maybe even a passion for expressing themselves. The process approach focuses more on the "journey" towards the product as oppose to "just" the product. This emphasis on the process towards achieving the product is evident in the strategies such as brain- storming, exploration of ideas, peer editing and re- writing geared towards simplifying and assisting when creating the final product. The process approach allows the writer to become self- directed and regulated learners where the individual can witness his/ her personal growth, be able to identify strengths and weaknesses while enjoying what is being produced.
The process approach, I believe despite how tedious it may be and time consuming, I believe it is a more efficient approach to writing as focuses on producing more than just a piece of writing but allows for exploration of a person's mind and creativity.


The following site presents additional information on the comparison of the Process and Product Approaches to writing.

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/articles/product-process-writing-a-comparison 

The Process Approach

Formal modes use five stages of the Writing Process. The following websites will provide you with a better understanding of the writing process. Enjoy!

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/instrctn/in5lk11-1.htm 

 This video will take you through the steps of the writing process which is of paramount importance to the process approach to writing.