Due by midnight on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 as part of your attendance for class.
Essentially, you have thought about your theory of writing at least once. Other blogs have hinted at your theory without being so direct. You are going to continue your thinking, musing, and defining of your theory of writing for this post. This is meant to be reflective in nature, so it's good to revisit some of your old blogs and see what you said and even pull from them.
Questions to springboard your thinking:
Questions to springboard your thinking:
(1) Key Terms for Writing
What are your key terms for writing? How does it expand your writing practices to understand these key terms? How do these key terms connect to your research? Why is it important that you write in different genres of writing (so far, you've experienced the following genres: blog, proposal, report, lit review, outline/brainstorming, reflection)?
(2) Writerly Identity
Who are you as a writer? A researcher? How does considering key terms contribute to the development of your writerly identity? How do you think research, especially inquiry-based research that you're doing right now, contributes to your writerly identity?
(3) Prior Knowledge and Experiences
(3) Prior Knowledge and Experiences
How is writing this quarter similar or different to what you've done in the past? What are you learning that you might carry forward to future assignments, in this class or in others? Will understanding the key terms help you in future?
(4) Theory of Writing
Dr. Seuss' is known for his witty and oddly inspiring quotes will set the tone for your conclusion of this post. In one-two sentences, write your theory of writing in Dr. Seuss style.
I don't usually think about myself as a writer, but as a writer I think I'm someone who enjoys writing about things that I'm passionate about, I feel that as a writer I produce my best writing when it's on a topic that actually means something to me and my life. My writing is guided by passion and beauty and emotion. For this piece because I have gotten to choose my topic I feel like I get to utilize the things that make my writing better. I got to choose a topic that I feel passionate and emotional about and I feel like my writing and research will benefit because of it. So far we've written in different styles, some I've enjoyed more than others, some topics within these I've felt more strongly about. Blog posts tend to be the most challenging in terms of passion and emotion. However learning to write in different styles help my writing to improve on things that I don't feel as passionately about. I think my writerly identity is someone who enjoys writing about current events and issues, which is what I typically choose to focus on, including this research report. In terms of the writing and research we have done in this class so far has tended to be different than past writings, they have tended to be more casual than writing I am used to for class, but they have pushed me to write differently than I am used to which is stretching my writing style.
ReplyDeleteWrite what you love and you'll love what you write,
whatever it is just write right write.
Completely agree that your best work comes from writing about a topic that you are truly passionate about. I agree with you when you say "learning to write in different styles help [your] writing improve on things that [you] don't feel as passionately about." I think that with all the different articles that we have read, that range in various topics has taught us that there are numerous styles are writing out there, that you sometimes just have to read. Though we may think that it is pointless at the time, we sometimes unintentionally start to use that same "boring technique" in our paper, because it is actually stylish, for those that understand. Does that make sense? I love the last part of your quote "whatever it is just write right write.
DeleteI like that you wrote about the passion that goes into your writing-- I find that this applies to my writing as well. Blog posts can be really challenging for me as well, because of the passion that usually goes into my writing that I find hard to pull from when writing something as seemingly simple as blog posts.
DeleteI like that you said that writing is more of an art than you thought it was, I feel that way too, I have only seen writing in a academic sense and I agree that learning this has helped my writing too. I talked too about the different ways we have to write in this course and I also think it is helping my writing and finding my own style. I love your Dr. Suess style quote I think it is so relevant not only to all writing but also to the writing we are doing for this class.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to the beginning of the year, we were asked what we think writing is to us, and I said, “I believe that writing is whatever you want it to be. It allows you to say everything that you have always wished to say, just on paper form.” I believe that sometimes, people have tendencies to be “vanilla” with their writing, as they stick to the common guidelines of writing. I too, have tendencies to be very bland with my writing. I do like to write, because I like to get feedback on “how I talk on paper.” Everyone has their favorite subject in school, and my just so happens to be English/writing. My theory of writing is that nobody is ever a novice at writing because there are always corrections that can be made to something, somewhere in writing.
ReplyDeleteWhen focusing on our current research paper, I feel prepared because I did a similar topic to my current one for my senior thesis in high school. There were mistakes that I had in that paper (senior thesis), which I have since learned from, and am now able to show those improved skills in my upcoming research paper and lit review too. Something new that I have learned from this class however, is using the rhetorical situation. I am using my definition of a rhetorical situation throughout my paper, which was “facts that are being presented to an observer who has little to no knowledge of the presented topic.” Many people know many things about relationships, but they never do full research to understand relationships in a certain way.
Nothing defines a writer, but a writer defines a writer, for it is the writer that does the writing.
I like the fact that you mentioned rhetorical situation, Demetrius. Rhetorical situation I think has given us all some new insight on how context affects our writing. I also liked that you pulled from your original blog post, it made your current stance have a pretty solid starting point. I think it was clever that you mentioned how "vanilla" some people's writing is. It definitely seems like some people are afraid to step out of line when it comes to writing, and it's good to think about breaking out of that mentality!
DeleteI completely agree that many people, including me, stick to guidelines when it comes to writing. That is something I am also working on. I feel that you are very lucky to have writing as your favorite subject because it is definitely not mine. Being passionate about writing in general will help make your papers that much better. It's also important to know that everyone has their weak points in writing, even the most famous writers can improve in some ways. That's a really cool quote because it makes you think deeper about how we're the only ones who know the true qualities of our writing.
DeleteEven after thinking for quite some time, I do not know what my key terms for writing would be. I think it’s hard for me to define something that is so profound and widespread, especially in my own life. I suppose the terms I would use would be artistic, prose, and passionate. I think it’s extremely odd to do things you are not passionate about, and to me is a waste of time. I love writing, and I love being able to expound upon my own thoughts in this way. For writing in this class, the key terms are very different from those I would choose with writing things on my own. Argument, synthesizing, application, and discussion would be key terms I would choose, pertaining to this class specifically. These key terms connect to my research in that they are what I should be paying attention to when conducting my research, and compiling my research paper as a whole. It is important to write in different genres of writing, as it creates a flexibility as a writer when you are forced to write in ways you may be slightly uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, I am very passionate. As a researcher, pertaining to this specific subject of my research paper this quarter, I am equally as passionate, because we were thankfully given the choice of what to write about. My research is making my writing stronger in this somewhat foreign subject to me. It’s not that I haven't completed any research papers, I just have yet to enjoy writing one. Finally writing and researching something I am passionate about is very positively contributing to my identity as a more well-rounded writer. The writing I have produced thus far in the quarter has been different to the majority of writing I’ve done in the past, because I usually tend to stick to prose, or poetry. I am learning a lot more about effectively synthesizing information, as well doing effective research. Understanding the key terms should help me in the future.
Let it take you, away and away. Let it take you and your thoughts will stay.
I love your emphasis on passion as you talk about writing, both in terms of prose and nonfiction (such as research). Your emphasis only establishes further the thought that good writing is the product of love for the thought. I agree that if I don't feel passionately for a subject or topic, I will probably fail to write an admirable piece for it because I don't feel anything for it. It is indeed odd and a waste of time to write about something I'm not passionate about. Although my only thought about this is that, in terms of academic assignments, in the future, we might not get a choice or say in it and will be forced to write either way.
DeleteWriting about topics that sound fun to me makes me more interested in writing. More interest in writing means better quality of writing. Also, I feel that there can always be something to improve on in my writing and it is a never ending process. For my research paper, I chose to write about a topic related to computers which is something I am very interested in. This makes it easier for ideas to flow which definitely helps me out on this paper. Long processes of revisions and editing is a huge factor when trying to improve my writing. Writing in multiple genres definitely helps me think about writing in different ways which is important in becoming a better writer. It helps me learn to write in different styles and with different emotions and purposes.
ReplyDeleteMy writerly identity can be creative at times or plain and simple, it all depends on the writing situation. My key terms will help bring out the more creative side in me. Even though topics may seem boring to me, the long process of writing can give me time to think of my own creative ways to express what I want to say. Since this research means something to me, I tend to think more creatively which continues to build my identity. The blogs in this class are definitely different for me because I can actually speak what’s on my mind, and there are usually no right or wrong answers. The way I am used to writing is straightforward about facts and there is usually one correct way to write about them. Now I’m learning to be more open about writing and express my feelings and what’s on my mind. This can definitely help me in the future when there are situations where I need speak my mind and no right or wrong answers exist.
People write differently, of course they do,
All that matters is you write you.
Hey Jason,
DeleteI completely agree with you in that writing about topics that interest you simply makes for much better writing. When you're able to write about a topic that you're passionate about that passion carries into your writing and it makes all the difference, whether it be driving you to write better, or gather more research, passion can mean a lot to your writing. I also agree that writing is an ongoing process, and that writing can always be improved, after all you should never limit yourself in your writing. And of course, I thought you had an awesome bit at the end, nothing's more important than writing with your own style, after all writing is the work of the individual.
Hiya Jason!
DeleteI love your poem, its so wonderful and simple. I agree with what you said about always being able to improve in writing, there is no such thing as perfection! I thinks its nice how you take the boring topics and use them as an chance to think creatively! Nice Job!
My key terms for writing are purpose and craft. These are very simple terms but they're the most universal across genres and therefore I really like them. The idea behind these words is "Why are you speaking, and how do you say it?" These terms connect to any research because research has a purpose(to research a topic) and genre conventions(how it's done). It's important to write in different genres to mostly expand the ways in which we know how to write and are adept in writing.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, I'm very much adaptable. I prefer prose but can write poetry. As a researcher I am very interested in more esoteric research topics and I like analyzing secondary sources. I think that my key terms kind of sum up my writer identity in that I like to do what needs to be done, and do it with style. I think research doesn't do much to my writer identity except bolster it in that I'm flexible. This writing is quite different than most of the writing I've done in the past. Being able to conduct research and things that aren't the actual act of writing are also quite new. I will be able to transfer these skills further into the future because many of the skills are by nature transferable. Synthesis of writing, analysis of text, they can both be used outside of research.
Write what you must, and trust what you write. Unless you tell it to, the writing won't bite.
Currently, my key terms for writing include being open-minded, flexible, adaptive, strong, passionate, and willing. These new key terms help my writing to expand to understand these terms by helping me build myself into a more versatile writer. These terms really differ from my past opinion of what key terms for writing should be. Before, I really emphasized how unlimited freedom should be when it comes to writing. While writing is obviously already a free-thinking type of activity, my writing self has grown more mature to realize that without structure, I would be able to have any organization in my writing which means the lack of organization for my thoughts. Without organization, my thoughts end up being all over the place, failing to get to the point that I’m trying to prove. While I didn’t agree with writing constraints before, now I see them as a goal and a challenge. The key terms teach me to strive within the constraints while being able to use the constraints to my advantage to help make my out-of-the-box thoughts stronger. It is important to write in a different genres because not only will it give me practice, but if I am able to accomplish the task of proving my point within each genre, I can become unstoppable in proving my point when all of these genres come together for a big event.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, I am someone who still struggles to follow the “rules.” Before, I’ve always been so set in free reign in writing to the point where it’s become a “bad” habit. I suppose I was an immature writer before, failing to realize how boundaries actually intended to help me rather than hinder me. As a researcher, I’m very plain and basic. Instead of building my writing through boundaries, I always fought against it so much that when I am given a task such as research, I’m not too advanced. However, these new terms that I’ve come up with will help me as they contribute to the development of my writerly identity. They will help in the way of reminding me how much of a better writer and researcher I can be, if I improved my versatility of writing. I think inquiry-based research in particular is extremely helpful at this point of stage in my growth of writing. Because it’s inquiry-based, it’s not too constraining as it lets me choose my topic but at the same time, it is giving me reasonable boundaries asking me how high can I connect the blocks together without having to step outside the line.
The writing this quarter has been really different in comparison to what I’ve done in writing classes in the past. In the past, it’s always been do this, do that, do this this way, do that that way. Every single aspect of the classes were so controlled to where there were literally rights and wrongs. Writing this quarter however, gives room for growth because there aren’t really rights or wrongs. It’s just, can you think to the point while thinking around the point? It requires a lot of important thoughts, while making sure that those thoughts are our own. Something that I’m learning that I most likely will carry forward to future assignments is how to free while following the rules at the same time. I’ve learned that there’s no progress if I keep fighting the system due to stubbornness over methodology. If the day ever comes to where I completely understand my key terms and implement them into my everyday writing, I will become a very seasoned and logical writer in the future whom I myself, will admire.
“Banging your head and heart on the wall, will not help you at all. Let the wall become your friend, so that your head and heart can mend.”
I really like the metaphor that you used to describe your writing. Indeed writing is like art, something like art simply cannot be "graded." It is very interesting how you so strongly believe in writing as an art, while at the same time, were able to tie it into something serious such as academic writing and research. Your Dr Suess styled-quote seems to tell a story in so little of words. What I get from it is that we can't all paint masterpieces the first time, even though art itself is a masterpiece. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has all had their own starting points. There were not shortcuts.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with the majority of the class in saying that there certainly isn’t any particular set of terms that can define the entirety of writing, I also believe that there are terms by which I personally define writing. Key terms I tend to use in my own writing include things like descriptive, creative, inciteful, organized, and powerful. While these certainly don’t represent everything in my writing they still do a great deal to improve me as a writer. By seeking to be organized, I am able to order my thoughts in a way that makes sense to the reader. By seeking to be inciteful and creative, I am able to find new or interesting ways to convey my ideas and express everything that I’m trying to say. And by seeking to be powerful, I look to put everything I have into my writing to create something that I’m proud of, and that speaks of me as a writer. Each of these terms benefit my writing and my research as they guide me through the process, giving me goals to reach and steps to take to improve my work like a sort of mental checklist. I think that writing in different genres is an essential part of this process as it pushes me to write in accordance with what is best for the situation, making me a more organized, insightful, and powerful writer as a result. I certainly wouldn’t write for this blogpost the same way I write for my research paper, so it makes perfect sense to write in different genres.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer and as a researcher I certainly think I’ve improved since I last posted on this topic (I believe I described my writing as generic and boring). Since then I’ve improved a great deal as a writer, using what I’ve learned to create writing that better fits the key terms I mentioned previously. I think today my identity as writer is much more curious and insightful, seeking knowledge on my topic, to create a paper that I find satisfying, rather than simply writing what satisfies a checklist or a grading requirement. Thus, in that sense I write for myself, as well as for the assignment at hand. Being able to research a topic that I enjoy has played a large part in this, driving me to be much more motivated in my writing seeing as I’m inquiring on a topic that I’d actually like to learn about. As mentioned previously, it’s made me much more curious as a writer, which has made all the difference, pushing me to put much more into everything that I write.
Perhaps the biggest differences with writing this quarter, than what I’ve done in the past is that I’m writing on a topic that genuinely interests me. Being able to write on a topic that I’m passionate about and that I’ve long been a fan of has given me so much more energy as a writer, for once I feel like the writing is completely my own, not a topic that was handed to me. All that I’ve learned about rhetoric and research will be essential in my future education, seeing as writing is an essential part of nearly any class. In addition to this, my personal key terms apply to any kind of writing so I’ll be able to use them in any kind of writing I do, whether it be this class or others, giving me a general standard that I can always raise my writing to.
To close I will offer this small bit of prose,
don’t limit your thoughts, don’t limit your know
Without limits on writing all the places you’ll go!
Writing is expressive in nature, and as such will have a variety of definitions–depending on who you ask. As far as my ‘key terms’ for writing go, expression, influence, concise articulation, and authenticity come to mind. Naturally when defining a fluid word, I end up using more fluid words. Understanding what each of these mean can expand my writing ability by accepting the fluidity writing can have and working with it. As far as my research goes, the main term that applies here is concise articulation. Given that I am writing a fairly technical paper on a scientific field, it is important to make the ideas clear in a brief and understandable fashion (while maintaining originality, which can be hard in such a paper). Writing in different genres helps expand my ability as a writer. I feel confident in more informal types of writing, such as this blog, but a formal paper challenges me to improve my logical flow in a paper and to use an expanded vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, my identity remains slightly fluid as well. When I am writing for pleasure, it’s all me. But when I write a paper with the intention of scholarship, I tend to use my “studious” perspective. This isn’t the same as my researching identity, which is curious and interested in discovery. Identifying key terms is a method I can use to check my current stance on writing, which no doubt has changed and will change in the future. Keeping track of these changes will give me a more mature perspective in the long run, being able to identify trends in my own opinions.
I wrote three research papers in high school, progressively longer from sophomore to senior year, so I am not new to using technical jargon. However, I am learning that it is best to follow conventions such that the audience is pleased, whoever that may be and whatever that may mean. It will certainly help me gain better grades and stay more in tune with my audience. As I write this, I think I’ll add another word to my list of key terms – awareness. As a writer, it is essential to be aware of who it is you are trying to reach, and take appropriate steps to be successful in that.
To summarize Dr. Seuss style, writing is good, writing is great, as long intention is met by the fate.
hmmm deep thoughts.
Being asked to describe your own writing is like asking the question “does this make me look fat” to yourself. Even a writer who is unconfident in their own abilities cannot be unbiased about rating their own writing. My writing cannot simply be defined by key terms; it differs from piece to piece. I write with passion about topics that I am passionate about, and find it harder to write about topics that do not interest me. If I could choose my writing style, it would be a jumble a free thoughts trying to explode on the paper in a way that is understandable and comprehensive. I try to be objective with my research, so that key term would apply to my research writing. But when writing a tumblr post, my opinioned mind flows free. I understand why we need to write in different genres, as it opens our minds to new ways of thinking and force us to come up with different ways to explain our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI thought of myself as more of a researcher than a writer, until I came to the conclusion that even researchers need to write their findings down. As a writer, I like to write information with the goal of teaching others. As a researcher, I find the information with the goal of helping others. Putting writing and research together insures that I can help and teach people at the same time.
Writing this quarter is different. I was in college English classes for my last year of high school. We wrote papers every week, but those papers were in-depth character analyses of characters like Othello and Desdemona. In this class the writing is very different; it’s more informal and actually a lot harder. The readings are challenging, and the blog questions are confusing and make me look for problems, so I can figure out what I am suppose to write about. I have only had very structured classes before, with clear outlines for the assignments and expectations. This class flipped me over and shook me upside down, in a good way. I’m learning to interpret questions in my own way and formulate answers that make sense to me. Having this strange way of writing has made my writing better, and the thoughts in my head can flow.
Express yourself, don’t be afraid
Let it go, let it flow
Step out of the shade