Writing Topic Summary - Ch. 46

Chapter 46 in Rules for Writers gave us guidelines for writing about texts. It advises you to read the text several times, to understand what is truly being said. Often, just reading a text only can cause you to miss several important ideas. The concept of Active Reading; writing questions and thoughts in the text itself, or in a journal, will allow you to absorb what you have just read, more easily.

In writing about a text, you can be asked to write either a summary or an analysis, or both. A summary should show that you've understood what the author is trying to say. Identify the authors thesis, or central idea. "Maintain a neutral tone, and be objective" (pg. 352) , and try to identify all the ideas while keeping it short.

An analysis is used to see "how" the author it making his or her point. You should create your own thesis, and follow this with supporting evidence. It should be in essay form, and it should answer who, what, and why.

My biggest challenge with reading is speed. I tend to read too fast to catch every single word, which in turn is causing me to miss meaning. I will start reading each piece several times, and also try to slow it down, so that I can really hear what the author is saying. I've never learned how to structure my writing, and now that I know the difference between summarizing and analyzing, I will try to apply that to my future writings.

Freewriting Dialogue

I've just read the essay "Freewriting Exercises" in the course reader. Freewritings are writing exercises that allow you to write indiscriminately. I'm not sure if that's the correct word, but I'm a fresh off my first freewrite, so I'm still in the frame of mind to just put down my thoughts. A freewrite allows you to write anything that comes to mind, without fear of editing or correction, or without being evaluated by someone else. Your are allowed to misspell and miss-punctuate. You do not have to worry about sentence structure. If nothing comes to mind, you can state that, or you can repeat the same word over and over. It's meant to facilitate stronger writing by undoing the subconscious habit of editing at the same time you are trying to produce. Ideally, the exercises are also meant to help unblock the mind, and to let the voice of your writing turn into power.

Reading this essay totally blew me away! I didn't know that such writing exercises were allowed! I get to say whatever is on my mind, without fear? I really like that. Even though I love to write, it's one of the hardest things for me to do. It takes me forever to write, because I like to be articulate, and to spell correctly, and I like to write a sentence or paragraph, and then rewrite it, or change several words. But I do think I spend too much time doing this, and I've become quite obsessive about it. Learning that the freewrite exercises will help 'unblock' me sounds exactly like what I need.

Introduction for 8736

Hello, my name is Carrie, mostly called Mac, occasionally called Twinks! I'm 37, working on my 12th year as an EMT in the 911 services. I love being in the healthcare field, and have decided to leave the prehospital setting, and gravitate towards the hospital setting. My ultimate goal is Radiology Tech, but I'm thinking about how well I know myself, so I'll probably change my mind a dozen times.

I'm an Army brat from Tennessee, and despite a short stint in Virginia, I've been in California most of my life. I talk like a Californian, but get me around a Southerner, and my accent will drip like warm maple syrup!

I was a terrible student growing up, with no interest in education, as my main focus in life was survival, and I never developed the ability to concentrate for too long on subjects that bored me. As a young adult, I decided my life of short lived jobs was ridiculous, and took the easiest course at the JC that I could find...EMT. And found my calling.

This class is a pre-req to a pre-req for the Rad Tech program, but I do like to write, and am hoping this class can get the words in my head to flow on paper.

I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone here, and I wish you all a Happy New Year!