Post 6
Through the semester of being in the class English 165 we have learned so many perspective, different styles of writing, and many more. much of this information is from many great books such as, Understanding Rhetoric and They Say, I Say. My favorite reading thus far is from chapter fourteen from They Say, I Say. In it we go over “What’s Motivating This Writer?” which goes over the topic of understanding what an author is really trying to say and impart upon their knowledge to the audience. In contrast, my least favorite reading would have to be anything from Academic Writing, I hate it. Unfortunately, the reason I dislike Academic Writing is not because of the content but rather much the content repeats itself. Though I understand that the author is probably so repetitive because they’re trying to nail down the information, that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
Speaking of academic writing, my own writing is what I could compare to actual Hog Wash. I don’t think that it’s totally irredeemable, nothing really is. It’s just that I don’t know if what I’m writing is comprehensible to my audience, and it makes me worried that my writing is even worth reading, but that is another topic entirely. I do see some strengths in my writing, such as my usage of words in writing. However, I struggle with expressing more complex ideas in a way that’s easy for my readers to understand. To tackle this issue, I think the best solution is to write more often and not let my anxiety about others’ opinions hold me back. By practicing regularly and allowing myself to experiment with my writing, I hope to become more confident and clearer in my expression. Writing is a skill that takes time to develop, and I’m determined to keep improving.
Hi Syriana,
I really enjoyed reading your blog post and appreciated your reflections on English 165 so far this semester. I completely agree with the value you found in They Say, I Say, especially the chapter on understanding an author’s motivation. That aspect is crucial not only for reading critically but also for writing effectively. It’s intriguing how recognizing an author’s intentions can enhance our comprehension of the text and allow us to engage more deeply with their ideas.
I can relate to your feelings about academic writing. The repetition can definitely become tedious and even frustrating at times. It seems that many of us struggle with that aspect, which can make it difficult to stay motivated. Your honesty about your writing resonates with me as well. When I write, I often worry that my thoughts don’t make sense or that my audience won’t be engaged. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not alone in feeling that way, and your honesty about your writing process has made me feel more understood.
I think your approach to tackling the issue by practicing writing more is spot on, and it’s something I may try to adopt as well. Regular practice is key to improving our skills, and it can help build our confidence over time. As we write more, we’ll likely find our voices and learn how to express our ideas more clearly. It’s comforting to remember that we’re all on this journey together, working to develop our writing. I’m excited to see how our skills evolve throughout the semester!
Dear Syriana,
It is great that you are learning so many things in our English class. In the chapter you decided was your favorite from They say, I say, I love the discussion of motivation. I especially appreciate how it ties into your second paragraphs point about how you are uneasy about your personal writing. As for your least favorite reading being Academic writing, I understand that. It is a hard book to stick with and follow along.
You are completely correct when you stated that you just need to write more often to get the hang of it. The more you do it the more comfortable you will get with it. To me writing isn’t easy but when I get on a roll I just keep typing what I’m feeling about a topic and then go back and clean it up later. That usually helps me. In turn, I believe that can confuse me readers just as you have stated because in my head it makes total sense but not so much to other people or my audience.