I really relate to Sarah Gibson when she talks about narrowing down her topic and how it takes seemingly too long. I always have this problem but it is after I finally decide who I'm writing for. A lot of the time I struggle to decide wether or not I should write the paper for me or the teacher. I get too attached to subjects and I know that so it is a bit of a struggle. Then I usually try 3 or 4 main topics that I want to be the focus in my paper and compare things such as supporting evidence and relevency to the original prompt. This whole process sometimes takes me days because I will be thinking and scribbling notes until I get the final "ah-ha" idea that incorporates good supporting evidence and good points to make.
Now I am a bit jealous of Jeremy Gremard. The way he explains his writing process as so organized (using the bubble meathod) while I'm thinking about the scattered papers all over my desk trying to write the essay for this class and I'm almost envious. I do wish I could be an organized person but in all honesty I'm not. Not just with writing either, with everything. But I have found that it has worked for me in a good way. Because through my sporatic scribbling of ideas I let my mind wander and write down every veiw and point I can think to make. This also makes writing the actual body of the esay pretty easy since I already have evidence, support, and sources scattered about to use.
I do wish I was more organized but I believe I have adjusted myself to utilizing my own thought process, instead of trying to follow a certain outlining method, to my advantage.
Ah, another person with a chaotic mess on there desk. It is a wonder I some times can find anything at work. It's like you said, somehow it is all working out for you messy or not. Boy do I have that same feeling. It's not that I don't want to clean it up and look organized and professional. It is just not my style.
ReplyDeleteYou sound as if you "over think" like myself. I also get attached to what I am writing. I however, tend to overshadow the writing with my own biased opinion rather then stay neutral. My essay this week reflects my failure to produce for myself a working outline. It takes me days to finish because I get lost in my own though chaos. Here's to hoping that we both pick up some new techniques that will improve our writing dilemmas.
ReplyDeleteSydney, don't be too hard on yourself! Some people think in linear, organized fashions, and others think in more organic, networked ways. There isn't a "right" way to think or write. You mention deciding whether to write for a teacher or yourself. Write for both! You always have a reader, but you also always have a purpose. Your goal is to adapt your writing (content, style, etc.) to achieve your purpose with your audience as effectively as possible.
ReplyDeleteSydney,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your struggle on trying to narrow down your topic. Whenever I begin to write, it can take me quite a while to narrow down my thoughts to one topic that I want to discuss. I try to organize my thoughts my using methods like mind maps, but I never seem to be completely organized with my thoughts. By the way, I love your picture for this blog!
Sydney, I am a very VERY organized person. My daughters say almost to the point of (OCD) but when it comes to my desk and papers, I am taking several classes online, it seems that my papers are jumbled and in a pile. So I bought different colored folders and labled them to each class and every piece of paper or note I put in it. I draft on word and then print out a copy to go back over with a highlighter or black out with marker..I enjoy reading yyour blogs
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