Drafting

Summary:
Muriel Harris begins her article with descriptions of different types of writers. She specifically addresses experienced writers, because she doesn't want to confuse her study with those types of one-draft writers who do so because of procrastination. Harris also acknowledges that most writers fall somewhere in the place in-between the extremes. Eventually, she moves on to her study, which tries to make some broad generalizations about the behavioral differences of one- or multi-drafters.
The first difference which is noted is that of the starting point of both groups of writers. The one-drafters like to start with a specific focus, their topic well understood. The multi-drafters write at first to develop the topic. The next item of discussion is the way in which the writers make choices. The one-drafters may have a couple of options, but they quickly focus in and move on. The multi-drafters have the tendency to write out their options with the expectation of rejecting much of what they write. One drafters like to finish and be completely done with the assignment, while the multi's are never finished. Writing is more akin to thinking for these students. The final difference which Harris notes is perhaps the most important one. The one-drafters write for an audience, while the multi-drafters write for themselves.

Response:
I am really intrigued by the writing process and how differently everyone approaches it. I have always considered myself a multi-drafter because I write so much that I eventually don't use. However, when the word "tedious" was connected with the one-draft group, I felt a kinship.
I believe that the biggest difference between the two types of composers is that the one-drafters use their mind to think, while using the page to write. The multi-drafters use the page to think, and their revisions to write.
I am unsure of what this really means in a writing course, since certain criteria (like revision) must be taught whether or not everyone is comfortable with it. These students were extremes of both examples, so the one-drafters really did not need to revise very often. Most people are somewhere in the middle, though, and need as much practice as they can get. The study seemed to point more towards psychological and cognitive differences than actual writing styles.