The Writing Process
This past week I had you all think about your writing process. We've had people write about it needing to be quiet, needing it to be noisy, needing it to be dark, needing it to be the night before the paper is due, and needing cookies next to them. All of you have your own writing process and they're all right - they may not always work out perfectly but they aren't wrong. When I was in fifth grade I remember the bright pink construction paper signs that had the writing process written out on them. There was Prewriting, Writing, Revising, Editing, and Publishing. I understand that as a fifth grader I needed something simple like that to understand how write. The problem was that not everyone follows that writing process and for some people that writing process can be more harmful than helpful.
In high school many of you may remember having to do a research project where you had to have 50 notecards with information. If you didn't have all 50 cards you got a lower grade. For some of you this may have been really helpful in being able to visually move cards with facts/quotes around to see where they would make more sense. For others of you it was a waste of 50 notecards and your time. People are different. I'm not a science/math person, some of you say you aren't English/writing people. If we can all understand that then why is the writing process taught that this is how your write?
The steps given above (prewriting, writing, revision, editing, and publishing) are good starting points but we need to remember that writing is recursive. It doesn't happen in one motion. Sometimes you start a paper three times before you get to the revision part. You don't have to follow those steps in order (though it'd be hard to "publish" before you write). If waiting until the last minute works for you to write a paper and you don't need to prewrite, edit or revise then that's great - however just thinking how well that process is working for you. If you're getting C's on your papers it isn't probably the best process. If you stress out because you wait until the last minute to write a paper then maybe waiting isn't a good process for you. I know habits are hard to break but sometimes you've got to put forth a little effort.
The final thing I want to say on this topic is that you don't have to be able to label your writing steps (in my opinion). I could throw out information from various rhetoric/composition sources that say the writing process is really this or that or that we need to teach students that this is the right way but I'm a strong believe of don't fix it if it isn't broken. If your writing process is working well for you then I'm not going to spend tons of time explaining different ways you can write papers. However, if you don't think your writing process is working for you then we can talk.
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Next Blog Topic: For your next blog topic I want you each to write about whatever you want. It can be something new and original, you can read other posts and continue the conversation on them, or whatever you want. Each post must be more than 250 words - that means you need to put some thought in to the post. Also make sure that you're communicating with other students throughout the week through the blog and the comment option.
Below this post will be a "comments" option. Most, if not all, of you have found it. Click on it to read y specific responses to your posts and to read about my writing process.
In high school many of you may remember having to do a research project where you had to have 50 notecards with information. If you didn't have all 50 cards you got a lower grade. For some of you this may have been really helpful in being able to visually move cards with facts/quotes around to see where they would make more sense. For others of you it was a waste of 50 notecards and your time. People are different. I'm not a science/math person, some of you say you aren't English/writing people. If we can all understand that then why is the writing process taught that this is how your write?
The steps given above (prewriting, writing, revision, editing, and publishing) are good starting points but we need to remember that writing is recursive. It doesn't happen in one motion. Sometimes you start a paper three times before you get to the revision part. You don't have to follow those steps in order (though it'd be hard to "publish" before you write). If waiting until the last minute works for you to write a paper and you don't need to prewrite, edit or revise then that's great - however just thinking how well that process is working for you. If you're getting C's on your papers it isn't probably the best process. If you stress out because you wait until the last minute to write a paper then maybe waiting isn't a good process for you. I know habits are hard to break but sometimes you've got to put forth a little effort.
The final thing I want to say on this topic is that you don't have to be able to label your writing steps (in my opinion). I could throw out information from various rhetoric/composition sources that say the writing process is really this or that or that we need to teach students that this is the right way but I'm a strong believe of don't fix it if it isn't broken. If your writing process is working well for you then I'm not going to spend tons of time explaining different ways you can write papers. However, if you don't think your writing process is working for you then we can talk.
____________________________________________________________
Next Blog Topic: For your next blog topic I want you each to write about whatever you want. It can be something new and original, you can read other posts and continue the conversation on them, or whatever you want. Each post must be more than 250 words - that means you need to put some thought in to the post. Also make sure that you're communicating with other students throughout the week through the blog and the comment option.
Below this post will be a "comments" option. Most, if not all, of you have found it. Click on it to read y specific responses to your posts and to read about my writing process.
posted by Dr. C at
10:29 PM
1 Comments:
NattieM- A web is a great way to start a paper! It isn't boring, it's very visual and I agree that it's a good place to start.
Jenna - You made a great point about needing someone else to read over your paper to check for typos and such. When we read our own paper (especially on a computer screen) we'll skip over words like"a" and "the" (and sometimes even bigger words!) that we meant to put in but didn't. Our mind just throws it in there. One good thing to do (aside from having a friend read over the paper) is to print the paper off (always!) and then read from the end of the paper to the start of the paper (last sentence first) so you have to concentrate more on what you're writing.
"Trout27" (Jessica) - I think your writing process sounds great! It doesn't have to be exciting, it just needs to get the job done. Don't worry, a lot of people say they don't like writing (some of them really don't, though most don't like the type of writing that they're required to do). As a future-pharmacist though you should know how important clear communication is.
Brock- It's interesting that you said you think you need to write out an outline. If procrastination works for you then more power to you - just know that when any research is required (especially for my class!) waiting until the night before isn't an option! :)
Jordan - Breaks are a great thing to make sure you get! It really can help make a paper go more smoothly!
Kyle - I can totally understand where you (and many of your classmates) are coming from. It's easy to put things off - we all do it. The thing is, we have to know when things can be put off and when they can't. For example, the first assignment in this class could be written in an hour if needed, the research paper at the end of the semester will take much longer! Try using sticky notes, they're great at making sure you get things done. Stick them to your computer screen so you see them all the time ;)
Christine - Wow! It sounds like you are not a procrastinator like many of the earlier posts (though they all posted early so it isn't really their style). Anyway, taking time to work on your paper can be really good and making sure you have a few days before it is due makes things not as stressful. Your writing process will (hopefully) make your college writing career much less stressful.
Robert - that one paper where you worked ahead, why did you? And, how did you do grade wise on it? Were your proud of the paper? Sometimes it's good to not have a strict writing process - being able to write with noise or silence is good because then you have no reason not to get your assignments done :)
Sarah - again, being able to write in different situations can be good because it doesn't limit you - especially since you live in the dorms! I'd think it would be hard to write a paper if you needed it quiet if you had a roommate or two!
Bonnie - It's great that you like to research and even better that you didn't say you only like internet research! The internet can be great but for research it just isn't great and we're going to talk about that throughout the semester. You're already ahead because you're have more experience with researching using library materials rather than just google and yahoo
Chet - you aren't alone in having to print the paper off to catch mistakes in your paper. EVERYONE should do that because it's nearly impossible to catch all mistakes on a computer screen. That's a great skill! And using a computer to type your paper is wonderful too (I do the same thing) but remember, Microsoft Word isn't always right. They can suggest wrong works for misspelled words and tell you grammar rules which are wrong too. Always trust yourself and when in doubt get your handy dictionary (or online dictionary) out and check the word(s) to make sure you're using the "write" word for the "write" situation.
Holly - for so long prewritting has been drilled into student's minds. There is nothing wrong with it but you don't have to do it. I'm glad that you know it doesn't work for you.
Kelly - you make some good points. I think requiring prewritting isn't always a good idea. Some students need it, some don't. I figure that by the time you're in college you know if it helps or is a pain in the butt so don't worry about writing your paper and then writing up an outline or anything. You also mention writing the introduction later (someone else did earlier too) and this is also very common. Sometimes it's just easier to write and then do the introduction once the paper has formed. An introduction to begin with can create writers block because you feel like you can't stray away from what you've written (when in relaty you can stray as much as you want as long as it all comes together in your final draft).
Zach - That's wonderful! I totally agree that music can be really helpful in writing. Thefact that you start your paper right away is also great. That can really help lessen the stress of college!
Blair - writing in the dark - that's symbolic for something I'm sure! :) Anyway, that's a good description of your writing process and it's very creative! As long as it works for you it works for me!
Ashley - You hate writing and you suck at writing? What about the blog? Do you hate this (it's okay if you do!)? Writing can be a pain and I know procrastination is easy (trust me, I have a minor in it from my undergraduate studies) however writing is much easier when you space it out - oh, and so you know, you won't be able to wait until the week before the research paper is due because that's the one thing where I'll "hold your hand" a little bit and make sure you guys are meeting certain requirements.;)
Dave - Distractions are good. I had a friend as an undergrad who had to listen to 80's music full blast with all the lights on in her bedroom (and a bottle of wine, but that's beside the point!) to write a paper. It was weird to me but it worked for her (though the wine didn't work for her!)
Steve - Cookies are great for writing papers! There was a scientific study conducted that cookies really affect the writing process in a positive way. They send off shocks in the brain which create ideas. The moral of this story: more cookies, more ideas. Okay, I made that up totally but I'm trying to be funny.
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I have to say that my writing process is very complex and changes from day to day, semester to semester, class to class, page to page. I once had to write a 10 page on my writing process and I hated it - I didn't learn anything about my writing, I didn't learn anything about writing in general, but I did get this idea. I think it's important to address how you write and then evaluate it. I'm a procrastinator like many of you and it doesn't always work for me. Every semester I say "I'm going to start that 20 page research paper early on and work on it a little each week so it doesn't sneak up on me" but 12 weeks in to the semester it's still not started. I usually hate prewriting (like outlines and webs) but sometimes I need them. I really like to start my paper with an introduction but I don't have to - my least favorite part of the paper is the conclusion (and when I write creative pieces I also hate to do endings...That's probably why none of my stories ever end!). I jump all around. Sometimes it needs to be quiet, sometimes I need noise, I almost always need coffee and it to be evening and most of the time I need to have a friend around or be at a friends house. My writing process works (for the most part) so I think I'll stick with it...Or parts of it, on and off, depending on my mood, the paper, the day, the time, etc.
You all did a great job on this assignment! I know a lot of you posted responses to your classmates' posts but those of you who didn't make sure you do so you get full credit. The bloc can be an easy set of points this semester as long as you keep up with it!
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Dr. C, at 10:56 PM
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