I re-read Gerard’s “What IS Nonfiction Anyway?” I had a little trouble trying to fuse the two readings and figure out how I can apply them to my science essay. I pulled out a few suggestions I thought were pertinent and might be related to my essay this week. Gerard spoke about forgetting about the creative part of writing non-fiction. Concentrate on telling the story and the art part will happen. I think I did that this week because it was a science essay, so I was more focused on just getting the facts out there, and I wasn’t trying to embellish it. He says the nonfiction wirier should “always reign in that impulse to lie.” Again, I don’t think that was so much an issue for me this week because of the subject matter. Gerard also talked about writing about something when there is an urgency of the event, but also timelessness of its meaning. I think with people becoming more sensitive and having more allergies, my topic was current, but I don’t know about the timelessness part of it.
Graham talked about leads and conclusions. Hopefully I did what she was talkig about by enticing the reader to read on. According to Graham, an option is to lead with a scene. That’s what I tried to do in my science essay. She talked about making sure you go full circle and have a strong conclusion as well as a strong lead. I think it’s easy to get lazy at the end of an essay, and I have to pay attention to working just as hard on a conclusion as I do on the lead and opening paragraph. I know as a reader, if I am not intrigued or interested enough from the lead, I am not going to go any further. Also, there’s nothing more disappointing that an article ending and you’re left hanging. I need to make sure my ending is complete, but Graham also suggests make it quick. Don’t draw your reader into thinking you’re done, and give them two more paragraphs. This is something I’m sure will take a lot more writing before I start to really get the hang of it, but I’m happy to have some references and examples of how to do it. Overall, I think I understood what Graham was talking about in the lead, and I felt more knowledgeable about how to actually write a lead that would grab a reader’s attention after reading all of the supplementary readings.
I chose the “eye” perspective this week. I was a bit confused about the eye versus I, but after reading more examples, I think I understand the differences. The idea of this essay as journalism did not come up for me, I didn’t think about it from a reportage perspective. I did find myself struggling at first to keep it from a first-person essay approach. It helped me to read the other supplementary readings to figure out that I can use myself as an example, just not as the focus. I think I accomplished that.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Science-another first
We were given free reign on what to blog about this week, I chose the text readings to focus on. I was very happy to dig into Zinsser. I’m loving this little book! It’s concise, I don’t get bored reading it, and in a few pages, I have a much better idea of how to tackle an assignment. I was not disappointed this week with chapter 15. I’m glad I read it before I started my essay. It gave me a better foundation on which to start. I could relate from the get go. “No! Not science!” I thought for sure I would rely on what at first seemed like a no-brainer for me, go for the comfort zone, and write about nature. But after reading all the supplemental materials, and Zinsser, I realized science is not such a scary word after all.
“Writing is thinking on paper.” I like that. If I can think clearly about a scientific subject, I can write about it. I need to say goodbye to the fear that because I sucked at biology and never even made it to chemistry, I am not worthy of writing about what is considered a “science topic.” Zinsser says it ain’t so. I found it interesting to read about the other side of writing a science essay. If you’re the scientist, you probably think writing is a scary word! One point of advice I found most helpful was on page 152. “Use your own experience to connect the reader to some mechanism that also touches his life.” I will try that in essay two. I think what he’s saying is start the essay with the human element, grab the reader’s attention with a lead that he can relate too. The reader will connect with that rather than be bogged down right away with some scientific jargon.
Another piece of advice from Zinsser comes on page 148; assume “the reader knows nothing.” “You can’t assume that your readers know what you assume everybody knows, or that they still remembered what was once explained to them.” I appreciate this advice, because I wasn’t quite sure who to assume my audience is. In this case, I am writing an essay not for a specific periodical, but for a class. So I will assume the reader knows nothing. The tricky party will be not to bore them, and not to lose a reader who knows a bit about my subject.
Although the Graham text didn’t give me as much help this week, I was able to pull a few things out of the chapter. I think the most valuable was “mere facts can seem tiresome.” Figurative language “is important to a scientific essay rather than just regurgitating facts. Simple advice, but something I need to remember as I tackle a science topic. Focusing on people rather that statistics and making it into a story will make my reader want to “listen.”
Hopefully, all this comes together in my essay.
Something else I wanted to add, the whole idea of blogging is becoming much easier. I actually look forward to it : ) It is a much nicer way to discuss the text than traditional Q and A.
“Writing is thinking on paper.” I like that. If I can think clearly about a scientific subject, I can write about it. I need to say goodbye to the fear that because I sucked at biology and never even made it to chemistry, I am not worthy of writing about what is considered a “science topic.” Zinsser says it ain’t so. I found it interesting to read about the other side of writing a science essay. If you’re the scientist, you probably think writing is a scary word! One point of advice I found most helpful was on page 152. “Use your own experience to connect the reader to some mechanism that also touches his life.” I will try that in essay two. I think what he’s saying is start the essay with the human element, grab the reader’s attention with a lead that he can relate too. The reader will connect with that rather than be bogged down right away with some scientific jargon.
Another piece of advice from Zinsser comes on page 148; assume “the reader knows nothing.” “You can’t assume that your readers know what you assume everybody knows, or that they still remembered what was once explained to them.” I appreciate this advice, because I wasn’t quite sure who to assume my audience is. In this case, I am writing an essay not for a specific periodical, but for a class. So I will assume the reader knows nothing. The tricky party will be not to bore them, and not to lose a reader who knows a bit about my subject.
Although the Graham text didn’t give me as much help this week, I was able to pull a few things out of the chapter. I think the most valuable was “mere facts can seem tiresome.” Figurative language “is important to a scientific essay rather than just regurgitating facts. Simple advice, but something I need to remember as I tackle a science topic. Focusing on people rather that statistics and making it into a story will make my reader want to “listen.”
Hopefully, all this comes together in my essay.
Something else I wanted to add, the whole idea of blogging is becoming much easier. I actually look forward to it : ) It is a much nicer way to discuss the text than traditional Q and A.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Week two
Jerri Clayton
ENG 330
September 14, 2008
**This is the blog I sent to the DDB for week 2** I was able to retreive my password today--
The Graham reading gave me a better perspective on my essay. I am glad to know I am not alone in my doubts that my personal experiences are interesting enough to write about. I do tend to start thinking about my life as a whole, and at age 46, that’s a lot to process! The advice to “learn to think small, to think specific” is simple, but helpful. I think I did do that in my first essay, but it took me many days of contemplation to even come up with one incident I thought I could make interesting enough that others would want to read it. I now know that is not the case. I have plenty of writing material. I’m still having a hard time, though. I went through the Testing the Topic eval, and I’m still not quite sure how to tell when something is compelling to a large number of people. I think since I’m just starting out writing, it will be a bit of trial and error. Most certainly, the text, professor, and classmates can help me by reviewing my work and letting me know it’s worth reading, or a real bore.
“On Writing Well,” chapter 24, gave me a clue that I was on the right track with Essay one. I didn’t feel like I had to write, “what the teacher wants.” I think I showed individuality in my piece. I have also felt most comfortable writing about what I know, but that has been in my career, and class work. I never took the challenge about writing about what I know on a personal level. My life, my stories.
I ran into an acquaintance today, who brought up an event, an occurrence that involved the two of us. For the first time I thought to myself, wow, that would make a great essay. I was happy to think that was a thought that is finally clicking in my brain. I love to read, love to critique, love to analyze, but never considered myself a writer. After reading Zinsser, I am giving my permission
One thing I’m not sure about, Zinsser mentions “think narrow.” I am wondering if I though narrow enough in my first essay. One of my critiques said I had too many angles, and should try to focus down more. In reading the samples in chapter 24, I don’t see the detail that is shown in the examples in my essay.
In chapter 4, Zinsser talks about style and “stripping down” your work. I find I have the opposite problem. I don’t think I overwrite, I think underwrite. I think I need to add more detail and story, to be able to be at a point where I can really strip it down and re-write. Again, I think this will make more sense to me as I write more.
Zinsser talks about the difficulty some writers have in using “I” in their work. I didn’t have a problem with that, I settled right in to writing in the first person. I think it’s because I’m so restrained from that in all my other writing. It is a release to be able to say “I” this “I” that, and know its okay! It’s good to know that “writing is an act of ego” and that is okay too.
I think I’ve covered the compare/analysis part of this blog. So what am I “itching” to explore? Honestly, I’m excited to revise my first essay using the help from the texts, professor and classmates. I have never really reworked a piece of my own, so it is exciting to think I will have a “finished” personal essay. I’m also “itching” to get on to our next essay, to explore my style and see what comes of it.
ENG 330
September 14, 2008
**This is the blog I sent to the DDB for week 2** I was able to retreive my password today--
The Graham reading gave me a better perspective on my essay. I am glad to know I am not alone in my doubts that my personal experiences are interesting enough to write about. I do tend to start thinking about my life as a whole, and at age 46, that’s a lot to process! The advice to “learn to think small, to think specific” is simple, but helpful. I think I did do that in my first essay, but it took me many days of contemplation to even come up with one incident I thought I could make interesting enough that others would want to read it. I now know that is not the case. I have plenty of writing material. I’m still having a hard time, though. I went through the Testing the Topic eval, and I’m still not quite sure how to tell when something is compelling to a large number of people. I think since I’m just starting out writing, it will be a bit of trial and error. Most certainly, the text, professor, and classmates can help me by reviewing my work and letting me know it’s worth reading, or a real bore.
“On Writing Well,” chapter 24, gave me a clue that I was on the right track with Essay one. I didn’t feel like I had to write, “what the teacher wants.” I think I showed individuality in my piece. I have also felt most comfortable writing about what I know, but that has been in my career, and class work. I never took the challenge about writing about what I know on a personal level. My life, my stories.
I ran into an acquaintance today, who brought up an event, an occurrence that involved the two of us. For the first time I thought to myself, wow, that would make a great essay. I was happy to think that was a thought that is finally clicking in my brain. I love to read, love to critique, love to analyze, but never considered myself a writer. After reading Zinsser, I am giving my permission
One thing I’m not sure about, Zinsser mentions “think narrow.” I am wondering if I though narrow enough in my first essay. One of my critiques said I had too many angles, and should try to focus down more. In reading the samples in chapter 24, I don’t see the detail that is shown in the examples in my essay.
In chapter 4, Zinsser talks about style and “stripping down” your work. I find I have the opposite problem. I don’t think I overwrite, I think underwrite. I think I need to add more detail and story, to be able to be at a point where I can really strip it down and re-write. Again, I think this will make more sense to me as I write more.
Zinsser talks about the difficulty some writers have in using “I” in their work. I didn’t have a problem with that, I settled right in to writing in the first person. I think it’s because I’m so restrained from that in all my other writing. It is a release to be able to say “I” this “I” that, and know its okay! It’s good to know that “writing is an act of ego” and that is okay too.
I think I’ve covered the compare/analysis part of this blog. So what am I “itching” to explore? Honestly, I’m excited to revise my first essay using the help from the texts, professor and classmates. I have never really reworked a piece of my own, so it is exciting to think I will have a “finished” personal essay. I’m also “itching” to get on to our next essay, to explore my style and see what comes of it.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Week One - Learn to Blog
Who knew? Here I am posting my first-ever blog. I knew this course would challenge me, but I am finding in this first week it is a challenge in ways I didn’t expect, and I am up for the challenge. I was intimidated reading the syllabus, and thought I would have to involve my teenage sons in creating a blog. I think I’ve got the basics down, at least enough to begin my blog.
I was relieved when I read chapter 2 in our Magazine Article Writing text. The title alone gave me comfort. “Good Writing from Good Reading.” I’m a good reader, does this mean there is hope I can be a good writer? I was feeling nervous about this class, but this chapter calmed me a bit. “You can profit immensely from reading the kind of writing you admire.” (Graham, 8). Ahhhh, there is hope.
One part of the reading that brought up a simple point, but one I hadn’t thought of, is rearranging your story. A story doesn’t have to be in chronological order, even if it started out that way. Once you’ve got it written, it’s perfectly okay to move it around. If it works better and captures the reader’s attention to flip the end, to the beginning…then do so. However you can best state your thesis and make your point is the way it should flow.
After reading chapter 2, I looked at the prompt question. How does this chapter speak to me as a writer? I realize, I don’t yet think of myself as a writer. What does it make me consider? The importance of the thesis. Without a thesis, my article will be pointless.
“On Writing Well” chapter 11 gave me some insight. I like that I’m not alone in the fact don’t aspire to write a bestselling book. I just want to write, and write well. I want to be able to write and have someone enjoy what I’ve said. I want my point to come across with clarity. I would love to know someone really enjoyed what he or she have read and could relate to what I have written, and it doesn’t have to be “literary” as in the 19th century definition. I don’t have three names, so maybe that’s the first inkling as to why I have no desire to write like the three named authors of the past. I’m an ordinary person and I’d like to write for ordinary people.
I liked Zinsser’s remarks regarding people learning to write most often lean towards nonfiction as a good place to begin. I think writing about something I know or can learn about is less intimidating than throwing myself into attempting to write fiction. Since I am just learning how to write, and hopefully write well, I think this is as good a place as any to start.
I was intimidated by the fact I have never blogged before, but again, I am up for the challenge. If I were a betting woman I would venture to say that even my boring, random thought, disconnected blog will become more enjoyable to both others and me as I progress through the next eight weeks.
I was relieved when I read chapter 2 in our Magazine Article Writing text. The title alone gave me comfort. “Good Writing from Good Reading.” I’m a good reader, does this mean there is hope I can be a good writer? I was feeling nervous about this class, but this chapter calmed me a bit. “You can profit immensely from reading the kind of writing you admire.” (Graham, 8). Ahhhh, there is hope.
One part of the reading that brought up a simple point, but one I hadn’t thought of, is rearranging your story. A story doesn’t have to be in chronological order, even if it started out that way. Once you’ve got it written, it’s perfectly okay to move it around. If it works better and captures the reader’s attention to flip the end, to the beginning…then do so. However you can best state your thesis and make your point is the way it should flow.
After reading chapter 2, I looked at the prompt question. How does this chapter speak to me as a writer? I realize, I don’t yet think of myself as a writer. What does it make me consider? The importance of the thesis. Without a thesis, my article will be pointless.
“On Writing Well” chapter 11 gave me some insight. I like that I’m not alone in the fact don’t aspire to write a bestselling book. I just want to write, and write well. I want to be able to write and have someone enjoy what I’ve said. I want my point to come across with clarity. I would love to know someone really enjoyed what he or she have read and could relate to what I have written, and it doesn’t have to be “literary” as in the 19th century definition. I don’t have three names, so maybe that’s the first inkling as to why I have no desire to write like the three named authors of the past. I’m an ordinary person and I’d like to write for ordinary people.
I liked Zinsser’s remarks regarding people learning to write most often lean towards nonfiction as a good place to begin. I think writing about something I know or can learn about is less intimidating than throwing myself into attempting to write fiction. Since I am just learning how to write, and hopefully write well, I think this is as good a place as any to start.
I was intimidated by the fact I have never blogged before, but again, I am up for the challenge. If I were a betting woman I would venture to say that even my boring, random thought, disconnected blog will become more enjoyable to both others and me as I progress through the next eight weeks.
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