As a way to begin our class inquiry into writing, I'd like to start simply. We all have our own ideas about what "good writing" is, often influenced by "school" authorities (our past teachers' expectations, standards associated with tests we've been forced to take), but also influenced by larger cultural ideas about good writing which might come from assumed workplace expectations, as well as our own expectations as readers/consumers of texts. Today, I'd like you to start thinking about where your ideas about "good writing" come from and how those ideas have influenced the choices you've made and your assumptions about what writing can be/do. Respond to this post by clicking on the comment button and address the following questions:
-What is your idea of good writing?
-Where do your preconceptions of good writing come from?
-Can you think of a time when your conception of good writing didn't work or seem "right" in the context?
-Is your conception of good writing limiting in any way?
-Would you behave differently as a writer, or understand yourself differently as a writer, if you conceived of "good writing" in a different way?
Once you've responded to these questions (you don't have to write the questions out or respond to them in some lockstep way--you have the freedom to pursue them as you wish), I want you to read through what your classmates have said and respond to at least one of their ideas. This is an opportunity to practice your referencing skills by explaining who you're responding to and by paraphrasing or quoting from that person's post.
Try to get your initial response posted by 2:00pm so that you can go back in and read your classmates' responses and write one additional post by 10:00pm this evening.
For me, "good writing" is writing that is clear, concise, and to the point, but at the same time entertaining. However, the definition of "good writing" can differ in different contexts. For example, in technical writing, for engineering or science, it is not the goal to "entertain" the reader, but to convey information precisely and in short sentences. In research paper it is a balance of entertainment and information, and in more prosaic writings, the goal is more entertainment but still with some information.
ReplyDeleteBeing a voracious reader myself, I've read everything from fiction, to biographies, to histories, and through some classes that I've taken, experimental reports and original research. Along with an amazing English teacher my last 2 years of high school, I've been able to form these opinions.
When considering all things, flexibility is the key and my definition of "good writing" is just that. With that considered, I think if I were to have even more experience as a writer I could possibly look at "good writing" differently.
My idea of good writing is that the writer is clear, have all their ideas put in order and not scrambled and can get the readers attention on what they are reading and keep it. My preconceptions of "good writing" came from my step-dad and my teacher in 5th grade because I loved to make comic book like stories and my purpose was to entertain. "Good writing" has different meanings in certain situations, for example if your writing a diagnosis report for a hospital you don't try to make everything seem exciting or use action words you would use medical terms and straight to the point.
ReplyDeleteNo I don't think limited in my conception of "good writing" because I really like reading all types of literature. With the help of 1301 gave me a full understanding of the types of "good writing". I don't believe I would think differently about "good writing" because since I know already that there are so many styles of writing now if I were learn to another type of writing I would just add to my collection of others.
My idea of "good writing" has to be able to consist of being able to explain what your trying to say thoroughly. It can't lack information because sometimes it gets confusing and you ask yourself questions that your going to wonder about.
ReplyDeleteThe preconceptions of my good writing come from the ideas and information that I learn from in class and through reading other students essays. It has improved my writing in the past year because I look at writing differently and gives me ideas I can use in my writing.
Last year, I wrote an essay in which I left out information and kept my audience wondering about a few things. There was extra information I added that didn't need to be in my essay.
I don't think there are any limitations in good writing. If it' good then there isn't a reason that it would not interest the reader or get boring in anyway.
A writer has to have patience in writing and persistence. As a writer I would probably behave differently because I do not have patience when it comes to writing. It isn't something that I enjoy doing but I have to do so I try to become more aware of it and make myself interested.
My idea of “good writing” is also of writing that is” clear, concise, and to the point,” as Andrea stated. I don’t believe all writing has to be ‘entertaining’ to be good. I believe different types of writing have different contexts and it can’t all be fun all the time. For example, when developing a sales report you want to make it very precise and to the point.
ReplyDeleteI remember my first year at Pan Am when taking Eng 1031 my first essay was to write about something that was life-changing for me. What I thought then was the right conception of good writing to me ended up not being it. I focused on different things rather than focusing on what had been life-changing to me. I feel that I have obtained better writing skills since then.
I don’t believe that I am limited to the idea of “good writing” because there are many types of writing and it all has different ways of being superior in its own different genre.
As a writer I would behave differently also like Laura says she would too. I don’t like sitting down and writing, it could take me a whole hour just to write a simple introduction. I do try and read different things to be more knowledgeable and to be able to express myself thoroughly.
My idea of good writing is something that is not boring, catches my attention and keeps me intrested. Good writing to me is consistently staying on topic and jumping around from topic to topic. Good writing to me comes from reading different types of books. I love to read whenever I can make time from my busy schedule. I think my biggest problem is writing is that i tend to write as if i was talking. I am trying to get better at it but still need more practice. Yes I would understand myself differently as I writer cause I would be able to understand different points of views.
ReplyDeleteMy idea of GOOD writing involves being able to express an idea, thought, or concept in the clearest manner, to the point that the reader is able to fully understand what the writer is trying to convey. GREAT writing, however, is text that maintains all aspects of good writing, but is able to captivate the reader, which is most important in keeping them interested. If the writing doesn't keep a hold on the reader's attention, then how could one expect the reader to completely read and focus on the writing in the first place?
ReplyDeleteThese preconceptions of mine come from years upon years upon years of academic education that was impressed upon me since the age of 5 or so. That, and my own personal experiences outside of school.
There are times where you just can't make something 'interesting', especially as a Graphic Designer. Sometimes, the text's only purpose is to deliver information in as few words as possible, often leaving a feeling of blandness. To get crafty with that type of writing would only lessen the value, and would be unnecessary.
I don't really feel this conception of writing has ever really limited me, but I can see how following such notions would lead one to grow bored with any writing that was not amusing or interesting to me in any way.
If my conception of 'good writing' was different, I don't think I'd enjoy writing anywhere near as much. It would exist solely to inform and educate, rather than enthrall and amuse. In losing that, it would become monotonous and dull. Not something I'd want to become, personally.
I think that everyone has good ideas as to what "good writing" is and I like what Raul said about the difference about good and great writing :) Being able to keep the reader's attention is very important!
ReplyDeleteMy idea of "good writing" is when your able to express yourself and are able to come across your audience.My preconceptions of good writing come from my previous English Professor (K.Sparrow) which I learned and discovered a lot of new things from. Before I took professor Sparrow I always thought my writing wasnt good or i was just not being able to conect with what i was writing. Thanks to her i was able to then understand that there is different types of writing and that the important thing is to be able to connect with the audience.
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone has different opinions on what "good writing" is and are to me all are valid. Eventhough i dont enjoy writing "i know i have to do so I try to become more aware of it and make myself interested" just like Laura stated. When it comes to writing i just try my best and make the best out of it.
ReplyDeleteTo me good writing is one in where the author is able to clearly convey his idea or message to the reader. The writer should include enough detail that the reader can fully understand, but it shouldn't be over done or contain things that don't even pertain to the subject.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading books of every kind, so I have read all kinds of different writing styles. I think I may have just overtime, found what it is I enjoy reading and considered it good writing.
Depending on what the subject is or the point the writer is trying to portray to the reader can change a view of what good writing is. People's perceptions are different which is the reason for many different styles of writing.
I don't think my idea of good writing is one that would be considered limiting. I really can't think of a situation where unclear points and bad information would be useful. I feel that in every kind of writing that clearly sharing ideas should be the goal. To share ideas and inform others, not to leave them confused or misinformed.
If I hadn't been such a bookworm growing up and even now perhaps I would have a much different view on what writing is. I probably wouldn't even care much for writing or trying to understand myself as a writer. But then again, who knows.
May I just point out I really like the way Raul explained his view of good writing and great writing when he said,
ReplyDelete"GREAT writing, however, is text that maintains all aspects of good writing, but is able to captivate the reader, which is most important in keeping them interested."
I agree with the fact that relating to the audience and keeping their focus on the subject at hand is extremely important.
I consider "good writing" something that captures my attention. When I was younger I used to read alot but usually I only read about one chapter out of the book and if it didn't intrigue me, I wouldn't continue reading the book. Now I realize that I probably missed on a great deal of great books.
ReplyDeleteMBecarra made a good point on how "good writing" has to capture the audience. If it doesn't interest the reader then you would probably end up not reading the entire story. Sometimes it may drag in the beginning but it should get more interesting if you keep reading because you understand more of what's going on in the story.
ReplyDeleteOkay, good writing to me is able to have the emotions of your words expressed within others (if that makes sense?), as well as to influence one's thoughts and/or actions. In order for me to consider something "good writing", it has to really stick to my brain and pull me in within the first paragraph. I believe good writing comes from experiences and the ability to organize your words in a way that other people feel your words and experience what you're experiencing. I feel that my conception is limited because it seems geared more towards personal narratives rather that an analysis of a book or stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with what Andrea says about how writing differs from topic to topic. In high school I was taught that most business executives do not want to read a 4 or 5 pages essay on how they did it step by step or whatever, they just wanna know if it worked or not.
ReplyDeleteTo me “good writing” is being able to express the ideas and at the same time able to capture the audience attention. I love to read, been doing it since I was young, but if a book didn’t capture my attention on the first or second chapter I would put it away and grab another one. Well, once you work on a specific field the “good writing” has to adapt to it, and always considering the different situations in order to give the proper response. I personally will prefer comic or romance, but not because of my preference I would say that science is not “good writing”.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lesie Professor Sparrow helped me broaden my horizon on good writing. I agree with everybody else when they say that Raul explained his idea perfectly no matter who your target audience is you still have to be able to keep their attention.
ReplyDeleteWell, I also have to admit that Dr. Affeldt did contribute a lot on the way I see “good writing”. Though when he would reject most of my papers I wouldn’t think so :).
ReplyDeleteHe tried very hard to teach the class how to write all the ideas down, and how to get the point across without losing the focus on the main point. He was really a great Professor. I agree with Andrea “For me, "good writing" is writing that is clear, concise, and to the point, but at the same time entertaining.”
My concept of good writing is being able to depict a clear story in words that allows the reader to engage and understand the writer. Each individual can write or make a sentence but a good writer allows the story to flow in a sequence of sentences or paragraphs through the reader mind as they are reading. It is key to stay on task with the message that is being conveyed many times a writer will apply many details that are not important and this will confuse a reader.
ReplyDeleteWhat has helped me in my writing preconception besides school is putting my writing skills into practice. With the new technology advances such as email, instant messaging, facebook these applications require writing techniques in which you have to be aware of who your audience is and if the reader is able to understands the message. A good writer will always go back and re-read their work.
I have to agree with Enrique Mason,"Good writing has different meanings in certain situations" Knowing who your audience will be: co-worker, boss, friend, professor, or a patient and your purpose of writing is key in developing the direction in which the writing language will be expressed.
ReplyDeleteMonica Gonzalez makes an important point, about exposing yourself to all kinds of writing. In doing so, you can observe how different writers approach different topics/genres, and this opens your mind to the different scopes of writing that is out there, learn from it, and then if you wanted to, you can apply it.
ReplyDelete'Good Writing' is expressing the main idea or ideas without too much or too little information for the reader. It is creating a piece of writing and being able to also capture your audience' s attention and not losing it halfway through. I have always enjoyed reading from a very young age. The only difficulty with that was and still is that if it doesn't keep me interested in the first few pages I put it aside and say i'll read it later (which usually never happens). My view on Good Writing adapts to any new method i learn along the way. In the Spring I took Eng 1301 with Professor Sparrow I learned that my writing would change depending on the subject or the type of paper I had to write. Her class taught me that I was not a bad writer (as I previously thought) that there is no such thing as a perfect writer or written paper. That I should be able to hold my audience's attention wether it be a simple essay or a research paper.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amanda that "good writing is being able to depict a clear story in words that allows the reader to engage and understand the writer." I believe that is the important part of a written work. If you have your reader's attention it is more likely that they will be able to grasp the main idea or ideas of the written paper.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Leslie when she stated "I think that everyone has different opinions on what "good writing" is" because from my opinion that is absolutely correct. From classes that I have taken at UTPA there is no such thing as a proper way of writing, because we all have different views of what proper is. I agree with many of my classmates as I read through the comments, I realized the main factor of "good writing" is being clear and getting straight to the point. Writing is a great way to be free and open to your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThere are different types of writing for every situation. For example last semester for my Political Science class we had to write a research paper, and I followed all of my tactics that I thought were "right." Yet to my professor they weren't. This means there are limits to writing to every situation.
I feel that many of our preconceptions of writing come mainly from grade school, and they expand as we attend college.
Good writing doesn’t necessarily have to be captivating because I’m sure many of us find biographies and documentaries pretty boring. Yet it’s good writing because it’s knowledgeable information.
My idea of good writing is to make sure that there is a clear, concise and interesting pathway between the writer and the reader. My preconception of good writing dates all the way back to middle school when my teachers would tell me that I have to "capture" the reader in the first paragraph. There have been a few times when I have written and it just didn't flow. I blame it on the fact that I didn't give myself enough time to prepare and just threw in all my ideas at once just to get my paper turned in on time. I don't think my conception is limited in any way. When I read a paper, and am engulfed in it, I expect to grasp what the writer intends for me to understand. I would definitely see myself as a different writer if I didn't believe that I should grab the readers attention. I believe without interest from the readers, they would simply stop reading the paper, or just fly by the paper not fully understanding all the concepts.
ReplyDeleteThis caught my eye by Laura Villanueva. "The preconceptions of my good writing come from the ideas and information that I learn from in class and through reading other students essays. It has improved my writing in the past year because I look at writing differently and gives me ideas I can use in my writing."
ReplyDeleteI have never really looked into reading other peoples essays. I have already broadened my understanding a little bit by reading these posts and I will probably try to follow in these footsteps to better understand the art of writing.
Character development, I think, is the most important thing a good piece of writing can have. I love people. I love trying to understand how we work. My favorite stories have these great characters in them that grow over the course of the books and become better people just by figuring out who they are and what they want to do. I also love simplicity with depth. A story that just touches me with only a couple sentences is something I would consider reading to the end.
ReplyDeleteMy elementary years were full of strong grammar guidance and plenty of practice writing. I discovered I had a knack for it. My teachers then, of course, had a big impact on what I thought was good writing. They taught me about the great poets and authors over the centuries. My senior I had an excellent British Literature teacher who taught us how to apply aged concepts to our modern lives.
A couple of times I have been asked to read books that I thought were dry or not worth my time. Sometimes we need to put aside our preconceptions and do what we are told, and along the way we can discover a beautiful piece of writing.
My preconceptions of writing are definitely limiting. I usually don't like to trudge through something I am not enjoying unless I am absolutely positive it will be worth it in the end.
I think everyone could be different if we opened our eyes a little. If we saw things through other's eyes and not just our own selfish pair, we could change the world. I would be a lot more open to things if I viewed things differently.
Amanda said it best: "My concept of good writing is being able to depict a clear story in words that allows the reader to engage and understand the writer. Each individual can write or make a sentence but a good writer allows the story to flow in a sequence of sentences or paragraphs through the reader mind as they are reading." This is great because it's exactly how I think :) A story should be set in the mind of a reader with no doubts, questions or loopholes.
Wow. You all have a pretty sophisticated way of thinking about good writing--an awareness that context matters and that engaging our readers is key, even as there are many ways of doing that (and not always by being funny or especially eloquent:)). But, as I think ahead to your posts on reading, I think "aqueensheart" is probably on to something; sometimes we have to read stuff we don't particularly think is good writing--and it may very well not be good writing even though it's important writing:).
ReplyDelete