Rules for Writers. Chapter 46

I found this reading interesting, I think this because I did not know all of the in's and outs of a summary or how to sketch out an outline. I know that summarized something before and I have also looked over a reading or looked for topic sentences but I did not know the complete understandings of what I was doing.

I think that the main idea of the reading was understanding what you are really getting into as you read a text. (essays,periodicals,reports,books etc.) I think that anyone can read a text but once they are done they may not be able to summarize or analyze what they have read, and in this reading I think that it really explains how to process what you have read. There is a lot of important information within this chapter because it fully explains how to outline text key points, annotate a text, or how to demonstrate critical thinking. 

One of the main things in this reading that stood out to me was an explanation of sketching a brief outline of a text. The book really helped me understand how to do this. I have always been all over the place with picking out the thesis, and the main idea of a reading, especially if it is a more lengthy reading. I found that a thesis is usually always found in the introduction; and the topic sentence is usually at the beginning of the paragraphs. Another thing that I liked was how it says that outlines do not simply trace out the author's ideas by paragraph, instead, it sums up the articles central points. 

In my future writing, I plan to try and analyze my critical thinking, I have always had to summarize what I read. Analyzing a reading is a bit different, it looks at how the texts makes a point rather than answers questions about the text you read, I think that this would help me due to the fact that I have trouble with mains points and thesis'. With the guidelines that the book has offered for analyzing a text I think that it will definitely help become more aware of some of the struggles that I am having when I write.

Emily

"Freewriting Exercises" Dialogue

What is a free write?
Before I read the article on free writing, I had my own thought of what I thought a free write was. I was not totally off, I had an idea of what it was, only I edited my free writes all the time to make them sound better. Then when I read this article I realized that I was not following the free writing rules. Which are way better than what I thought the rules originally were.

A free write is automatic writing. I like another word that the writer chose, it is also known as babbling. It is also an effective way to become a better writer, in many ways. One of them is that there are no rules, besides never stop writing, and you do not get any feedback, also you do not have to feel like you are going to be judged on how well you wrote your thoughts or expressions. It is just simply what is on your mind, your point of view or your opinion.

How is it meant to facilitate a better writer?
I think that free writing is meant to make a better writer by having no editing, no crossing out, or no wondering how to spell something etc. I also think that free writing makes for a better writer by using it to find out what subjects you want to write about, it allows your mind to become free and not think of what would sound good, it just allows you write whatever is really on your mind without hesitation. I think it really helps a person get to the root of what they want to write about.

What did you find surprising or illuminating about the reading?
I think what surprised me most about this reading is that, I do it all the time, just with my own rules, if that makes any sense? I am always writing my thoughts down on paper, because I am usually always so busy with life; that if I don't write my thoughts down I will forget, but I always edit what I wrote, where as when I read this article I found out that there is no editing, crossing out or wondering how to spell something. I also liked the idea of a free writing diary. I think that it is a great way to relive stress or any thoughts that you might have on your mind before you go to bed at night. Its almost like getting something off our chest without having to tell someone and have the fear of the feedback. you are not judged on what you really think for feel about something.

Emily

Emily's Blog- Getting Started #1

Hello, my name is Emily Lopez. I live and work in Santa Rosa. I am married and have a daughter named Lylia, who is five; and I am currently 6 months pregnant with another little girl. I work at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation as a patient service representative. I have worked there for a little over a year.

     My educational goal is to finish all of my prerequisites and transfer to a four year college and earn a Bachelor's degree, I would like to become a Trauma Nurse. I have had this goal for sometime now, but I am determined to complete my goal and be successful in life. 

     In this class, I am hoping to become a better writer, I love to write, but sometimes I cannot fit my words into the correct sentences. I would also like to learn correct punctuation. I like to get my work done early if I can, if its not done I feel that its hanging over my head. I like to pace myself in almost everything that I do, I know that sometimes its not possible with life being so busy, but I try to make things as less stressful as I can. 

   A few things that the class should know about me is that I love English, I like to free write, I am excited to have the opportunity to take this English class online. As I said before I am 6 months pregnant, so I will be giving birth while enrolled in this class, I wanted to be able to still take a class during my pregnancy so that I would not fall behind in my prerequisites. I also love to just hang with my family and friends, watch sports and chill when I can. 

Thanks for taking the time to read a little about me. I look forward to chatting with everyone!

Emily L.