Free Writing Exercise

     A freewrite is a writing exercise that helps you write a interesting paper or essay. You should only freewrite for ten to twenty minutes and its compiled of whatevers on your mind or a specific topic. A lot of people edit while they write but a freewrite is a good way to let of this bad habit. Editing while you write will make your paper choppy and incoherent unlike a flowing freewrite which is more pure and carries your personal writing fingerprint.
     When writing a freewrite sometimes you write something that has more feeling or a deeper meaning then the editing while you write method because it came out more based on felling rather than over thinking which creates a much stronger point or arguement. After practicing freewrites over a good period of time the coherent, sensible writing will start crossing over into your regular writing and your words will flow together to make a more effective essay.
     I found it very interesting that when you freewrite sometimes you come up with "less random, more coherent, and highly organized" (pg 4) writing. I usually over think things and edit while I write so this chapter from Writing Without Teachers by Peter Elbow really hit home with me. I found the idea of keeping a freewrite journal intriguing so I plan to keep one hereafter.

Rules for Writers ch.46 Summary

     In chapter forty six of Rules for Writers Diana Hacker explains how to actively read, summarize, and analyze text. To actively read you should annotate the text by writing questions and statements about the meaning and mood of that sentence, word, or paragraph. You could also annotate portions of the text that you thought were most interesting to you. 

     Another way to actively read is to reread Diana asks "What do you notice on a second or third reading that you didn't notice earlier?" (pg 347). From your annotations you can "sketch a brief outline of the text" (pg 350). In your outline you should state the authors thesis, unbiased main ideas, and contrasting ideas. These steps lead you into analyzing a text which will ultimately teach you how to write an analytical essay.

     Analyzing a text is similar to summarizing but different. Analyzing is more than just stating a thesis and main ideas its the process of understanding the texts roots and getting inside the authors head. You can do this by annotating the text but this time ask deeper questions like "How does the author structure the text? What are the key parts and how do they relate to one another and to the thesis?" (pg 353). Diana wrote this to help you distinguish the difference between summarizing and analyzing. These skills will help you one day to write a successful analytical essay.

     The way Diana wrote chapter forty six it was very easy to read and understand. The way I plan to integrate this information into my own writing is to annotate, summarize, and analyze myself. I will write an essay then a day later come back to it and reread and annotate to see if its clear and focused. Using these three processes will also be helpful when I read other writings from students in class because I believe the better you get at summarizing and analyzing the more improvement in your own writing you will see. Repetition is key to success. 

Brian's Blog

     Hello everyone my is Brian I live in Santa Rosa and I am a 27 year old SRJC student and I work part time as line cook. As far as educational and career goals I want to complete the SRJC culinary program and possibly pursue further education at a private culinary school to eventually work my way into a kitchen that puts out high quality delicious food in small quantities. I love all different kinds of food but my two favorite kinds are Mexican and French food. I also love music, cars, family, and the show It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.
     First I want to mention English is my favorite class and when I'm done with this class I wish to be able to write a fully interesting and functional essay that would impress a professor teaching English 1A. I also wish to improve my reading and by that I mean my ability to focus and interpret what I'm reading. My final goal in this class is to never repeat it again its nothing personal towards the students or professors but I'm ready to move on. When homework gets assigned I like to start right away and pace myself it always works out better in the end this way because life can be hectic and stuff or situations can arise so I'd rather be prepared. I always haven't been this way when I was younger I was somewhat of a slacker.
     So I hope some of you have found what I wrote to be interesting and maybe have something in common with me. I'm going to watch some It's Always Sunny in Philly now and you should all do the same as long as you have finished your homework.