Here is an excellent cast from NPR of William Zinsser, author of On Writing Well, talking about the challenges of writing, with the genre of memoir specifically examined. Apparently, the memoir has turned into pages dedicated to a pity party of it's author. Zinsser criticizes this victimhood while at the same time says something along the lines of "don't ever care what others think of you and whatever it is that you write, write it for yourself." Interesting kind of paradox...
Check it out:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5340618
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Typography Affairs
Dornan's framework for writing and writing instruction was truly appreciated and enjoyed. However, what I really savored was the acknowledgement of the importance of meaning to the writer, and the perception of writing as a tool that lends it's power. It seems as though the daunting task of writing for academic purposes has been somewhat lifted (until ch. 3), and that writing has taken on a new role of liberation that emphasizes personal and social connection.
There is no denying that writing is a process and yes, I am much obliged for the step-by-step, how to of this is how you write this kind of paper, and this is how you write this kind of paper. I truly believe I was never taught how to write, I don't even know what it means to be "a writer." Aren't we all in some fashion? What designates one as this? I, like many of my colleagues, have found much value in the conversation ( it seems) about the brainstorming about writing, to the drafting, to the revising works in progress this books carries with its readers. It begs the question whether the importance lies within the end or the means to the end. It's always about the journey isn't it? Who cares where you go (although I'm sure it's cool), it's all about how you get there and what happens along the way right? Here is where one finds the passion (the "personalness," if you will) that is needed to make writing meaningful, interesting, relative and powerful. Case and point, in my coop teacher's class on Monday you could have heard a pin drop when he asked his students to reflect and write about themselves as students within the past semester. Now it's not as though a fantastic paper is the desired outcome of this reflective free write, but what a novel idea...what 10th grader doesn't want to write about themselves for 15 minutes.
I think we need to take a look outside the damn box as to what it really means to write, be a writer, write well, and all that jazz. Where exactly are you currently reading my words...the internet, in a web log, a blog of all places? Since when is that an acceptable place to leave my thoughts? Blogging is the new journaling ladies and gentlemen. Lately I've been reading about genre blending, which is completely refreshing, and this is a perfect example! As I said in class, I didn't realize how much pleasure I experienced when writing until I began to blog. It created almost a new genre of writing for me, one that fits me better than any other I've ever tried (and truly, I have tried them all). Writing used to be a disheartening task of which I was rather afraid, now I find it to be tons of fun and very rewarding. I have the personal investment needed as well as a genre that lends itself to me, it's a cause and effect kind of thing for me. Sounds like a great start no?
There is no denying that writing is a process and yes, I am much obliged for the step-by-step, how to of this is how you write this kind of paper, and this is how you write this kind of paper. I truly believe I was never taught how to write, I don't even know what it means to be "a writer." Aren't we all in some fashion? What designates one as this? I, like many of my colleagues, have found much value in the conversation ( it seems) about the brainstorming about writing, to the drafting, to the revising works in progress this books carries with its readers. It begs the question whether the importance lies within the end or the means to the end. It's always about the journey isn't it? Who cares where you go (although I'm sure it's cool), it's all about how you get there and what happens along the way right? Here is where one finds the passion (the "personalness," if you will) that is needed to make writing meaningful, interesting, relative and powerful. Case and point, in my coop teacher's class on Monday you could have heard a pin drop when he asked his students to reflect and write about themselves as students within the past semester. Now it's not as though a fantastic paper is the desired outcome of this reflective free write, but what a novel idea...what 10th grader doesn't want to write about themselves for 15 minutes.
I think we need to take a look outside the damn box as to what it really means to write, be a writer, write well, and all that jazz. Where exactly are you currently reading my words...the internet, in a web log, a blog of all places? Since when is that an acceptable place to leave my thoughts? Blogging is the new journaling ladies and gentlemen. Lately I've been reading about genre blending, which is completely refreshing, and this is a perfect example! As I said in class, I didn't realize how much pleasure I experienced when writing until I began to blog. It created almost a new genre of writing for me, one that fits me better than any other I've ever tried (and truly, I have tried them all). Writing used to be a disheartening task of which I was rather afraid, now I find it to be tons of fun and very rewarding. I have the personal investment needed as well as a genre that lends itself to me, it's a cause and effect kind of thing for me. Sounds like a great start no?
Processes, Genres & Style
Speaking of which, I'm now using this space for CI 5461: Teaching Composition in Secondary Schools, seeing as how reading and writing are like peanut butter and honey. Any posts beyond this point are reserved specifically for that purpose. Double duty, if you will. Cheers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
