THE DEVELOPMENT OF ESSAY WRITING SKILLS THROUGH A PROCESS-BASED WRITING APPROACH

Abstract

This academic article aims to 1) study the concepts, theories, and principles of the Process-Based Writing Approach, 2) analyze the instructional steps and techniques for developing essay writing skills using this approach, and 3) propose practical guidelines for Thai language teachers to enhance students' writing proficiency. This study is a documentary research, synthesizing information from the works of prominent writing scholars such as Donald Murray, Peter Elbow, Janet Emig, and Nancy Sommers, as well as related research and academic articles in the Thai context.

          The findings indicate that the process-based writing approach is a pedagogical philosophy that shifts the focus from the final, polished "product" to the "process" that writers engage in to create a text. It consists of five key stages: 1) Pre-writing, 2) Drafting, 3) Revising, 4) Editing, and 5) Publishing. This approach helps reduce students' writing anxiety, promotes critical thinking, fosters collaboration through peer review activities, and cultivates a positive long-term attitude towards writing. The teacher's role transforms from that of a judge to a facilitator and coach.

This article presents concrete classroom application guidelines, from designing activities for each stage to assessment methods that align with the approach's philosophy, emphasizing assessment for development rather than solely for evaluation. This will be beneficial for teachers in adapting and implementing strategies to develop students' essay writing skills in a more effective and meaningful way.