"-I have always insisted that words used in organizing a literacy program come from the word universe of the people who are learning, expressing their actual language, their anxieties, fears, demands, dreams. Words should be laden with the meaning of the people's existential experience, and not of the teacher's experience." (pg. 10, pgh. 5)
This quote is meaningful for the reading and the learning that comes as a result of the reading. Vocabulary is best learned when integrated with context and other words surrounding it, adding to a reading. Reading should have a personal effect on people. Maybe it's important to know why the author chose that word over the alternative. Reasoning behind personal vocabulary can give a reader a good sense of the author's mindset at the time of the writing of the passage. Where did the author stumble across, for example, defenestrate, over just saying throw out a window. What deeper meaning is behind the choice. It's all based on the author's own life and experiences. An odd word choice may contribute to a bigger picture in a reading. Employing this tactic into our own work makes it more expressive and perhaps better at conveying meaning to the reader.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Question 2: Revision of a 5 paragraph essay and why it was originally implemented
The idea of a 5 paragraph essay is all good in concept. The idea is to show that you're knowledgeable of the subject and having 3 body paragraphs to talk about the subject enough to make it seem like the writer knows what they're talking about. The 5 paragraph format is organized in a way that's easy to follow and easy to read.
The big problem is that the 5 paragraphs is so scripted, boring, routine. Its the fallback for every person when confronted with a writing assignment. Its not fun to read nor write, its the norm. There hasn't been a change or a shift away from the format due to it being easy to grade and easy to evaluate ones comprehension on the subject.
Its hard to diverge from the 5 paragraph essay format during high school, but when writing personal pieces, changing up style to provoke creativity is much easier as you're not subject to evaluation or grades. The format puts a damper on creativity and curiosity and instead transforms the writing into another school assignment and not a passionate expression of thoughts, information or ideas.
I haven't personally used many other formulas for writing a piece but if i have a lot of information to write down ill separate my topics further, like two paragraphs to a topic, with a conclusion to each topic to make sure the reader caught all the key information detailed in the previous paragraphs, and a transition to the next topic. Then after all topics are written, i'll add a super conclusion tying everything together. Its a great way to fill up space as well as making your writing seemed better organized and connected.
The big problem is that the 5 paragraphs is so scripted, boring, routine. Its the fallback for every person when confronted with a writing assignment. Its not fun to read nor write, its the norm. There hasn't been a change or a shift away from the format due to it being easy to grade and easy to evaluate ones comprehension on the subject.
Its hard to diverge from the 5 paragraph essay format during high school, but when writing personal pieces, changing up style to provoke creativity is much easier as you're not subject to evaluation or grades. The format puts a damper on creativity and curiosity and instead transforms the writing into another school assignment and not a passionate expression of thoughts, information or ideas.
I haven't personally used many other formulas for writing a piece but if i have a lot of information to write down ill separate my topics further, like two paragraphs to a topic, with a conclusion to each topic to make sure the reader caught all the key information detailed in the previous paragraphs, and a transition to the next topic. Then after all topics are written, i'll add a super conclusion tying everything together. Its a great way to fill up space as well as making your writing seemed better organized and connected.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Quote of the day #4 9/4/18
"But we don't want to suggest that writers should completely isolate themselves from the world...As part of her work routine, Woolf wandered for hours through the London streets..." (p.160-161)
Writing doesn't have to be a solitary act, it can be social and the process itself can be aided by the influence of others. Going outside and adding to the already-present thoughts lurking within your mind with new ideas and inspiration sourced from the real world. Virginia Woolf used her daily life in London to add to her writing, she wasn't idle in her room waiting for the thoughts of what to write next, like much of high school writing. Having others add their own opinions and thoughts to your writing piece can expand the range of readers that it influences. Woolf lived with critics, philosophers and novelists, adding to her arsenal of professional opinions to utilize in her writing.
Writing doesn't have to be a solitary act, it can be social and the process itself can be aided by the influence of others. Going outside and adding to the already-present thoughts lurking within your mind with new ideas and inspiration sourced from the real world. Virginia Woolf used her daily life in London to add to her writing, she wasn't idle in her room waiting for the thoughts of what to write next, like much of high school writing. Having others add their own opinions and thoughts to your writing piece can expand the range of readers that it influences. Woolf lived with critics, philosophers and novelists, adding to her arsenal of professional opinions to utilize in her writing.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Quote of the Day #3 8/30/18
"The direction each essay takes depends on the writer’s own questions, interests, and insights. To help our students avoid the temptation of falling back on the formulas they learned in the past, we tell them to think of the essay as the map of a mind at work on a problem." (pg. 12/paragraph 3)
The author states that the way writing should be executed is not to think of the traditional methods taught in school, but as you think about it. Match information with topics as you think about it, as a cartographer would match landmarks relative to their surroundings on a map. And although the basic formulas are enticing they don't make writing as engaging to the writer nor the reader when its formatted similarly to 50 other essays. Creativity in writing makes the essay more interesting and improves the growth of personal style for the reader. Their voice becomes more heard when they are writing their essay in a fashion that suits themselves. Asking their own personal questions and not scripted ones, improves the conceptual understanding of their topic and it would show in reading.
-Gerrit Buyense
"The direction each essay takes depends on the writer’s own questions, interests, and insights. To help our students avoid the temptation of falling back on the formulas they learned in the past, we tell them to think of the essay as the map of a mind at work on a problem." (pg. 12/paragraph 3)
The author states that the way writing should be executed is not to think of the traditional methods taught in school, but as you think about it. Match information with topics as you think about it, as a cartographer would match landmarks relative to their surroundings on a map. And although the basic formulas are enticing they don't make writing as engaging to the writer nor the reader when its formatted similarly to 50 other essays. Creativity in writing makes the essay more interesting and improves the growth of personal style for the reader. Their voice becomes more heard when they are writing their essay in a fashion that suits themselves. Asking their own personal questions and not scripted ones, improves the conceptual understanding of their topic and it would show in reading.
-Gerrit Buyense
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