WRIT- 1133 - 37
March 23, 2011
1. How is “Reading Like a Writer” similar to and/or different from the way(s) you read for other classes?
In my junior year of High School I was taught English by a man named Andrew Baker who ultimately changed the way I looked at school entirely. He has had the most profound influence on my academic career out of any teacher I have encountered. The main thing I took away from his class that year is that it I need to question everything. Everything happens for a reason, and as a reader and writer, whether in the classroom or not, it is imperative to ask questions. “Reading Like a Writer” conveys the same principle, the importance of asking questions, which in fact serves as an overarching theme throughout the entire piece. All in all this work deeply resonates with me and is harmonious with my view, or perhaps what I would like to be my view, on reading and writing; I don't always question everything, but I sure mean to.
2. What kinds of choices do you make as a writer that readers might identify in your written work?
I tend to gravitate towards longer, more complex sentence structures encompassing parallelism and antithesis quite often. I also like to use alliteration and repeating sounds throughout my work for emphasis and fluidity. I don’t think I do these things on purpose but I always notice them myself as I am in the process of drafting. I guess it’s an unconscious action that is simply natural at this point. I do sometimes make references to wildly different ideas that relate to what I am discussing in my piece but are unique and sometimes a little too abstract. Metaphors, allusions, and imagery is highly valued in writing, at least I believe so, and are crucial tools in developing an argument.
3. Is there anything you notice in this essay that you might like to try in your own writing? What is that technique or strategy? When do you plan to try using it?
One of the main ideas discussed in this essay is that every word, individually, has a reason for being where it is in the piece. I feel as if sometimes my diction is not as spot on as I’d like, and perhaps part of this is simply broadening my vocabulary, but in part, I believe a major part of this is revision processes. After reading this piece I realize that I need to scrutinize every single word I write, after the fact, and in the midst of drafting. Word choice will make or break an argument and “Reading Like a Writer” demonstrates that truth very effectively. In addition, I want to start talking in more abstract voices and to different audiences. Sometimes I tend to get rather one-dimensional, especially when writing analytically.
4. What are some of the different ways that you can learn about the context of a text before you begin reading it?
Gaining knowledge of a text before diving into it will only increase the effectiveness of one’s “dive” and understanding of the piece by the time he is done reading it. Knowing the purpose of he piece, or the intended audience is extremely beneficial to one’s overall understanding of the concepts being discussed. Style is a huge component as well; if you are familiar with an author’s style before reading a specific piece, it can help in perceiving of the context. Getting to know the author’s persona, although hard to do without a little devoted research, is also highly beneficial in grasping of concepts and ideas.
Hi Parker. Full credit on your first post. A quick note to your second response: you'll want to focus on maintaining conscious control of your writing. All writers have control over what they produce, so you'll need to spend time analyzing whether alliteration or similar techniques are useful for what you are trying to accomplish.
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