Which of the following processes is the first step in writing?

The first step in the writing process is prewriting, which serves as the foundational phase where writers generate and organize ideas before drafting their text. During prewriting, various strategies can be employed, such as brainstorming, clustering, and outlining, to help clarify thoughts and establish a direction for the writing. This stage is crucial because it allows the writer to explore topics, gather information, and plan the structure of the piece, laying the groundwork for a more coherent and focused draft later on.

In contrast, drafting involves putting ideas into sentences and paragraphs, revising includes refining and improving the content and structure after drafting, and proofreading focuses on correcting grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Each subsequent step builds on the prewriting phase, making it essential for successful writing. Therefore, prewriting is recognized as the essential starting point in the writing process.