A Word to the Wise

This week, I am very excited to get cracking on my essay. For once I feel like I can relate and understand the readings we have been given thus far. I actually feel very confident that I know what is going on, which is always a wonderful feeling! This week, with Bartholomae's piece especially, I have felt that I can relate the most. I agree that writing has become to rule oriented, and that coming into college we all have a sense of fear of how it will be. After reading Bartholomae I remembered feeling like I wasn't up to par for my English 101 class last year, and that I would really have to add a lot to my writing in order for it to sound good. I think this is the reason why our writing can be filled with so much jargon. Because of this memory, I have chosen to base my essay around the world of fear that first year students come into.

Along with Bartholomae, Anne Ruggles Gere also portrays the fear that students have been left with. Because writing has become overly structured students fear using their imagination. Her piece has shown that we no long get comfortable writing, but instead worry about having out essays be the right length, and use all of the right words. Students today write more their teachers, opposed to writing for themselves. They no longer add their own opinions and thoughts, but talk to the teacher, and try to state what they believe the teacher will want to hear. This in turn causes a lot of faults. Instead of having a sense of feeling their writing, the teacher is reading words that have no meaning to the student, which only dig them in a greater whole.

I like both Gere and Bartholomae’s articles the most because I feel like I can relate the most. I have felt the sense of fear that writing can give off. I have feared writing the wrong thing, and not using the best word choice. I have also feared not being allowed to write about what I think is important, and having to write for my teachers feelings. However, this class has allowed me to see that when I forget about the rules, and look at them more as guidance for my writing, I have become a better writer. I see myself in the papers, and have learned more and more about myself through every post. This class has been really inspiring for myself, especially being able to read things that I agree so closely with. I love the feeling of understanding and agreeing. I also really enjoy the discussion forum, and being able to relate to others within the class. I am looking forward to writing the essay, for myself and not just for my teacher to read!