Rules for Writers Chapter 46.....

As I read chapter 46 in Rules for Writers, I learned how to write about different pieces of writings. The main steps that I learned to follow were, first take notes as I am reading the text, second compile a quick outline to help myself understand the main points and the thesis of the paper, third develop my own summary about the paper using my notes and my outline.




I found this assignment to be very helpful. I think that as a fairly new writer I will benefit greatly from following her instructions on how to construct a summaries on different papers. I think that the hardest part for me is analyzing what the author is trying to say. You can either understand them easily, or you can be completely off. This is going to be the most challenging part of writing summaries for me.

Freewriting Exercises.....

   I really thought that this was a neat reading exercise. I learned that freewriting is a tool used to help improve a writers ability to write what is on their mind without any input or interruptions. As we write we automatically start editing ourseleves as we go along, but freewrite was developed to eliminate that editing portion.
 There are people who think that freewriting is pointless and doesn't make any sense. I think that it is a neat way to help you become more confident in your writing skills. It seems as though you also would be less worried about judgement so the writer won't be so self concious about what they are putting down on paper.
 I don't think anything suprised me about the reading, but it all made sense as to why we react the way we do when we are under the pressure of a critic. Freewriting is a great way to help us express ourselves and not to worry about what other people think.