3-stage composition process applicable to written and visual communication. Key takeaways: 1) Starting without an outline is ok. 2) Drafting is NOT copy editing. Drafting gives shape to the “core dump” of Phase 1; multiple drafts refine your understanding of the sequence and emphasis of the whole. Before this, tinkering with individual sentences or slides is unproductive. From Visual Communication Handbook, copyright © 2006, 2011 by Becker Consulting Services, NY NY.