As the end of semester draws near, I am reflecting on my writing. In the beginning of the semester I wanted to look everything it took to write an effective paper. I believe I describe it as a "broader understanding in the ability to write." I was naive. I thought that a 16 week course was going to give me super writing abilities. Sure my knowledge has increase in how to write different styles of academic papers. But my biggest learning comes from looking at my midterm post. I go on and on ranting about sentence structure and grammar. I really felt these things were what was holding my writing back. But that is not true. I have come to learn that thesis and structured support of that thesis is where the action is. That if you have a strong thesis and can support with evidence throughout your essay, that is good writing compared to sentence structure and grammar, which can be a easy fix.
I want to learn to write more concise and improve my ability to write a strong thesis. But in general just to keep applying what I am learning. I can especially tell that my writing is more structured and thought out better because of this class.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Planning for revisions
I was going to revise my ad analysis since I was not comfortable with the final product. But things changed when i got my argument paper back. That damn assignment of writing an argument. I get so confused when it comes to understanding an argument. That confusion worsened when i have to WRITE a argument. Ugh! Can I just say I would never make it in law school understanding and writing arguments makes me want to hide in a cave and not come out. Amen
STRENGHTS
passionate about subject
lots of data to use
think I have the ability to write to persuade audience to my point of view!
WEAKNESS
rambles........ lacks focus needs to be more concise
lots of data....but what really supports my claim
doesn't give the reader direction.
Action plan for revision:
Sit down and read the paper over....highlighting the evidence. organize the evidence that supports my claims.....cut out all the evidence that doesn't make sense in having in there in the first place.
Critically think about my thesis and change it to include on how to become a conscious consumer *not just people* the lack of focus in the thesis ...created lack of focus in the paper I'm all over the place!
STRENGHTS
passionate about subject
lots of data to use
think I have the ability to write to persuade audience to my point of view!
WEAKNESS
rambles........ lacks focus needs to be more concise
lots of data....but what really supports my claim
doesn't give the reader direction.
Action plan for revision:
Sit down and read the paper over....highlighting the evidence. organize the evidence that supports my claims.....cut out all the evidence that doesn't make sense in having in there in the first place.
Critically think about my thesis and change it to include on how to become a conscious consumer *not just people* the lack of focus in the thesis ...created lack of focus in the paper I'm all over the place!
The paper I'm thankful for
I would say by far my favorite paper so far that I have written has been my literary narrative. Why? Because I could write in a personal voice. I enjoy this, because after having been out of school for so long I find academic writing to be hard. Since I wrote this paper telling a story about myself, I felt it was easy. Reflecting back on the memories of going to the grocery store with my mom was fun. It reminded me of simpler times, and a uncomplicated life. Since taking English 101 I have struggled with writing. But this has been the only assignment that I felt at easy writing. I tried applying this writing style to my other writing assignment and it was met with not so great results. I wrote my first draft of my ad analysis in this way.....from a mother's perspective. My wake up call came when the student at the writing center said "Is this paper about you or Ikea?" I could not help but laugh and think of Jan on the Brady Bunch. Marsha, Marsha, Marsha....it is always about Marsha!
Well if I am going to make it in college I have to learn to write in a academic voice and not personal voice. So the process begins...........
I am choosing to rewrite my argument paper for my portfolio. It was the hardest paper to write and my grade reflected it. My goal is to master this argument style. It has been a challenge!
Well if I am going to make it in college I have to learn to write in a academic voice and not personal voice. So the process begins...........
I am choosing to rewrite my argument paper for my portfolio. It was the hardest paper to write and my grade reflected it. My goal is to master this argument style. It has been a challenge!
thinking about evidence......like csi?
OMG I am kinda all over the board here! But here we go!
Thesis: People should eat locally grown food rather than buying organic food at the supermarket.
Evidence: Most farm land in the Midwest is being farmed by seeds from Monstano. These crops are used to products like soybeans and corn syrup. (weak) So what? What does this mean to the conscious consumer?
Evidence: Most farmers at the farmer's market are not organically certified. (weak) It may be true but how I present it hurts my claims and doesn't support what I am trying to say!
Evidence:CSA programs (strong) good affordable option for people who want to support local farmer and businesses and to continue to make healthy food choices.
Evidence:people believe that eating organic is a healthy choice and is better than eating non organic.
I have mixed options on this ....evidence is strong that the public thinks it is safe for consumption and all that ....but it hurts my argument.
Evidence: get to know your farmer. (strong ) many people would benefit if they knew where their food came from. Small farms would prosper.
Evidence: Purchasing locally grown food is cost effective. (strong) It is true and I have data to support claim.
I have many more claims....but this exercise just prove to me that my evidence is weak and I need to go back to the structure and improve my evidence to support my claims.....making my paper better in the process. Ouch this was painful:(
Thesis: People should eat locally grown food rather than buying organic food at the supermarket.
Evidence: Most farm land in the Midwest is being farmed by seeds from Monstano. These crops are used to products like soybeans and corn syrup. (weak) So what? What does this mean to the conscious consumer?
Evidence: Most farmers at the farmer's market are not organically certified. (weak) It may be true but how I present it hurts my claims and doesn't support what I am trying to say!
Evidence:CSA programs (strong) good affordable option for people who want to support local farmer and businesses and to continue to make healthy food choices.
Evidence:people believe that eating organic is a healthy choice and is better than eating non organic.
I have mixed options on this ....evidence is strong that the public thinks it is safe for consumption and all that ....but it hurts my argument.
Evidence: get to know your farmer. (strong ) many people would benefit if they knew where their food came from. Small farms would prosper.
Evidence: Purchasing locally grown food is cost effective. (strong) It is true and I have data to support claim.
I have many more claims....but this exercise just prove to me that my evidence is weak and I need to go back to the structure and improve my evidence to support my claims.....making my paper better in the process. Ouch this was painful:(
#11 analyzing and writing arguments
I learned many things when reading Murry's piece "Should the Obama Generation Drop Out?"
One of my first learning's was to think critically about the claim the author is making. Murray states that a B.A. should not be a job qualification when applying for a job. He goes on to make some valid points to support his thesis, but because of his condescending tone throughout his writings, takes away from his creditability as a writer and as a reader, you don't trust his claims. My learning...use a tone that will build trust with the reader.
The second thing I learned about writing a argument is to use data to support your claims. Murray data is weak in his piece. He states "About 10 percent to 20 percent of all 18-year-old can absorb the material in your old liberal arts textbooks. For engineering and hard sciences, the percentage is probably not as high as 10." This taught me if your going to provide data....make sure it is TRUE data to support your claim. Not just some guessing game on the author's part.
My final learning is when writing a argument, pick a topic that warrants attention. I found Murray's argument to be interesting to me as a student who has been out in the work force for 20 years and now back in the classroom. I believe that the audience is broad fro this topic and one that people would find interesting! For my argument I have chosen to write about being a conscious consumer when purchasing your fruits and vegetables. I find the topic to be interesting and hope my audience does too!
One of my first learning's was to think critically about the claim the author is making. Murray states that a B.A. should not be a job qualification when applying for a job. He goes on to make some valid points to support his thesis, but because of his condescending tone throughout his writings, takes away from his creditability as a writer and as a reader, you don't trust his claims. My learning...use a tone that will build trust with the reader.
The second thing I learned about writing a argument is to use data to support your claims. Murray data is weak in his piece. He states "About 10 percent to 20 percent of all 18-year-old can absorb the material in your old liberal arts textbooks. For engineering and hard sciences, the percentage is probably not as high as 10." This taught me if your going to provide data....make sure it is TRUE data to support your claim. Not just some guessing game on the author's part.
My final learning is when writing a argument, pick a topic that warrants attention. I found Murray's argument to be interesting to me as a student who has been out in the work force for 20 years and now back in the classroom. I believe that the audience is broad fro this topic and one that people would find interesting! For my argument I have chosen to write about being a conscious consumer when purchasing your fruits and vegetables. I find the topic to be interesting and hope my audience does too!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Peer review...... the good the bad the ugly!
Peer review has been one of my favorite parts of English 101. It has been an effective tool for strenghtening my writing. I use it to gain understanding of my writing style and take the reveiwer feedback to better my work. By having someone feedback about my work is a valuable tool and using that feedback forces me to think critical of the assignment and identifiy the stengthens and weaknesses of the assignment.
I think I do a OK job as a reviewer. When I see a area of opportunity I do mention it. My knowledge in writing is not the best, but I do share when I think it is appropriate. I like to ask critical questions of the writer if I feel that the writing might not have address a area or maybe is missing a point that would add to the argument. My weakness is I feel I can not help a fellow writer with their writing structure, because that is my weakness as a writer.
My idea peer review process would be to break into small group of 4 and read our essays out load. It would allow my to get feedback from the group. The next step would be to break into groups of 2 and dive a little deeper into our writing to work one on one with a peer to strenghten our essays. When we work in groups now it seems like we start to get productive, then class ends....we take our peers work and work on providing feedback. When we head back to class I hand over my feedback, but do not always have a chance to share my thoughts. Because of lack of time, this effective step loses some productivity because we don't get a chance to finish.
So just more one one one time would be helpful! But only if your fellow reviewer is as focused on the assignment as you!
I think I do a OK job as a reviewer. When I see a area of opportunity I do mention it. My knowledge in writing is not the best, but I do share when I think it is appropriate. I like to ask critical questions of the writer if I feel that the writing might not have address a area or maybe is missing a point that would add to the argument. My weakness is I feel I can not help a fellow writer with their writing structure, because that is my weakness as a writer.
My idea peer review process would be to break into small group of 4 and read our essays out load. It would allow my to get feedback from the group. The next step would be to break into groups of 2 and dive a little deeper into our writing to work one on one with a peer to strenghten our essays. When we work in groups now it seems like we start to get productive, then class ends....we take our peers work and work on providing feedback. When we head back to class I hand over my feedback, but do not always have a chance to share my thoughts. Because of lack of time, this effective step loses some productivity because we don't get a chance to finish.
So just more one one one time would be helpful! But only if your fellow reviewer is as focused on the assignment as you!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Identifing the Patterns of Errors in My Writing
When reflecting on my writing I had identified some errors I see as patterns in my essays. Lack of development of thesis is a common error in my writing. The idea of the thesis always needs to be developed to improve my writing.Through development of thesis, helps create an focus and direction for your essay. I find that lack of strong thesis is a error in my writing. Lack of thesis creates more work for me as a writer. Some feedback I have receive about my writing is that it lacks focus and needs to be more conise. Ugh!
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