In Class 1- Rosen

RLW Discussion Questions

1. “How to Read Like a Writer” brought up very different ways of reading a piece of writing than how I read for other. “Reading Like a Writer” deeply analyzes pieces of writing in a different way. Reading like a writer makes you analyze details like word choice, flow, and especially tone. When I read for other classes, I usually read for the purpose of gaining the information within the text, rather analyzing the actual writing. When reading like a writer, one tends to notice and/or criticize the use of specific words or phrases much more than normal.

2. As a writer, one has many choices that you can make in order to convey a message. I think the most distinguishable aspect of a persons writing is their tone of voice. Tone of voice can make or break a piece of writing. If the tone of voice is more appealing to the audience, the message or information can be conveyed much more effectively. Also, the word choice of a writer is a very identifiable aspect of a piece of writing. If one reads like a writer, one can question the word choice and decide if the phrase or word was placed in the most effective manner.

3. When reading “How to Read Like a Writer” I noticed a couple of examples that could be applicable in my writing. The writer of “How to Read Like a Writer” uses personal examples to help support the argument and make the essay more powerful overall. Also, a very unique point the writer touched on is single sentence paragraphs. Initially, I thought the idea would be very ineffective and look like a very primitive piece of writing. However, once I came to my senses, I realized how powerful that one sentence could be.

4. Prior to reading a piece of writing, it is very helpful to gain some knowledge on the context of the piece and the author. Researching the authors purpose prior to the can be very insightful. Also, while researching this, one can gain a gage of the audience the author is aiming to. One can easily locate information about a piece or an author on the internet.