What we have done so far in this class, I feel that my writing has greatly improved. I can start writing down the first thing that comes to my mind, instead of just sitting there for hours just trying to fill up one page. In my opinion, writing is difficult if you do not know how to properly do it. Writing starts with 3 steps: organizing, writing and completing. Ideas and gathering information always be the first step I started with but the problem was getting those ideas to written down. My mind would move from one thing to another at a rapid pace but my writing was stagnant. I just could not find a way to write. It just became frustrating to do a simple 2 pages essay. From reading and seeing different articles I have expanded my knowledge of writing.
Exploring Language textbook is one of the best guides help me improved my writing. The most interesting I like about this text is that it contains the writing of diverse authors on multiple subjects. It is very interesting to read what each of these authors has to say about whatever topic they are writing about. Beyond what they say, I am studying how they write. I see how they convey their ideas and try to incorporate them into my own writings. What I have noticed is that the more I read the more I see how diverse writing can be. Everyone has a unique voice and if you know how to write, you can express that voice. I can relate to an author in the book like Malcolm X, who was uneducated but when he began to read his knowledge grew and he became a better writer. When he did become a great writer he said it was a freeing experience for him. I can truly understand because when you do not know how to do something, in a way you become fearful of it and tend to avoid it. So when I was frustrated with writing I did feel as if it was a weight I could not get off. As Malcolm X, when I started to improve my writing it did become a freeing experience because I now finally had confidence. I still have a long way to go but this is a great foundation that I have made for myself.
The peer responses also another way improved my writing. It’s one thing to have confidence in yourself and think that what you have written is the best thing ever. You need to be brought back down to reality and peer response is just that thing to do it. Through peer response there is an exchange of ideas and both parties benefit. As I have received peer responses I have taken the advice and it has helped me improve my writing. When I write I feel as if it is the best I have done but when a peer reads it they can find holes and things I have missed and I can take this advice and make my writing even better. There is a chapter in the Exploring Language text that explores the communication gap and how people talk to each other. The main idea was that if people talk to one another then ideas are exchanged and everyone is better off from it and it expands knowledge. By taking this lesson to heart, peer responses are a great way to expand anyone’s writing. Practice, practice, and practice is the way to improve my writing. Not only reading but listening to other people advice is another way. And I shall continue writing more!
Nice picture of the alphabet letters! Are they made by filming actions of fire torch? You always upload interesting visual devices. That’s cool. When I was reading your blog, I was nodding my head very often since I agree many parts of your opinion. Since English is not our native language, we have common tendency of struggle in writing English. I know you speak English perfectly though. I believe writing is usually more difficult express one’s expression than speaking since we cannot convey our feeling or thought through tone of the voice. Writing has to be precise to convey one’s idea. We have similar thought regarding to writing; you said, “From reading and seeing different articles I have expanded my knowledge of writing,” I strongly agree with you since I start writing by imitating one’s expression to improve my style. Then you state that “I can truly understand because when you do not know how to do something, in a way you become fearful of it and tend to avoid it.” This is exactly same reason why I have avoided writing in English because I felt something similar to the fear of unknown territory. You also mention that, “As I have received peer responses I have taken the advice and it has helped me improve my writing.” I also felt that peer responses are very helpful since I have not acquired critical thinking process, when I look at my paper, I automatically think that paper is in good track even though there are so many missing points, thus peer review responses help me to look my essay from different point of view, which increases my skill of critical reading and writing skills. Through class activities, I have practiced my reading and writing continuously, which helped me to be more comfortable in writing English. So I agree with your idea! Good blog!
ReplyDeleteI really like the picture you put at the top of the article. It kind of created the atmosphere for your blog. It's crazy how much we've all pretty much grown up from the class thus far in our writing skills. I agree with you about how I used to have a hard time getting started when I had to write a paper. I used to sit for hours brainstorming and trying to figure out the perfect line for the beginning of an introduction! Since I've taken the class I don't have the problem anymore. I have also learned to be a lot more organized in my work and that's what truly gets me started. I have learned from all of my classmates as well. I think we have all pretty much established a good understanding of how to take critical advice and use it towards our writing. Good blog, I can really relate to the things you have improved throughout the class.
ReplyDelete