The Norton Sampair Sheet Analysis

This chapter is important in a beginning writer’s process because it helps them to understand the basis of writing, connecting with the reader.

When I first entered english composition 1101, I expected this course to be manageable. As an outstanding english student at Clarke Central high school, I believed that I had enough knowledge to excel in this course with no challenges. Dr. Catherine Rogers was able to knock me off of my high horse and make me realize that I has a lot more to learn about reading and writing. She is very comprehensive and analytical, which caused her to give me a c average on my midterm assignments. I put the blame on myself because I believe that I should have been more open to Dr. Rogers’ methods with pre-writing and revision. Now I think highly of reading and writing.

The essay written by Michael Bunn, entitled “How to Read Like a Writer” conferred the main outlook that someone as a writer needs to examine, and keep in mind while reading any kind of written manuscripts far beyond the typical reading set of mind.

Teaching the process of a five-paragraph essay seems to be a popular strategy when it comes to teaching new writers; however, not everyone agrees that five-paragraph essays are the best way to go about introducing the writing process. John Warner, author of “Kill the 5-Paragraph Essay” believes the process gives writers little freedom and is a “tool for the worst of teachers to hide amongst the good.” On the other hand, Kerri Smith, author of “In the Defense of the Five-Paragraph Essay” claims “students who know the five-paragraph essay intimately are more prepared to take on the challenge of college-level writing.” Both first-year composition professors make great arguments; however, Warner’s article seems to argue his point effectively.

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are,” (Cooley). Throughout our lives, reading has impacted us in many ways. Often times books give people different perspectives on their lives. People with high stress levels often find comfort in reading books to take their mind off of their concerns. Sometimes, people just need to take a step back from their lives and relax for a while; therefore, reading is a great tool. In fact, all kinds of books have also helped me become a better writer. There are many different books that have impacted me over the years.

In “Breaking the Five-Paragraph-Theme Barrier” professor Thomas Nunnally describes his experience teaching the popular writing tool. The five-paragraph theme requires an introductory paragraph, three middle paragraphs that each have their own ideas, and a concluding paragraph. Nunnally believes that this writing model should only be used as a writing tool and not the backbone to all essays (Nunnally). I agree with Nunnally’s stance, but also think that by the age of sixteen, students should no longer be given the opportunity to rely on the model for writing opportunities. **

Chapter 1 begins with a question directed to us students on a personal level; it also asks us what we know about writing, basically, college level writing. Furthermore, the book mentions to evoke memories of how were you involved in the aspect of writing. Memories such as friends, classmates, coworkers, past college classes, T.V shows, books etc.

Going back to reading the first thought piece I wrote during this course made me realize how much I have improved as a writer. I now understand the nature of writing, and my own experiences with writing. Writing the Rhetorical Analysis helped me in improving my writing based on my previous writing experiences. I now also know what questions to ask when entering a new rhetorical situation, in order to deal with the situation in the right way. The List of 10 made this easier for me, the first thing I do now before entering a new rhetorical situation is ask myself the ten questions I wrote for The List of 10. This course also made me more of a reflective writer. I am now a more self-aware, thoughtful, and mindful

As the quarter progressed, these ten weeks had been a great and excessive adventure for me. As a writer, I learned a lot of new skills and techniques which helped me a lot to improve my writing. I am writing this cover letter to you to demonstrate how much I have improved throughout the quarter as a writer in 39B class. In this course, I feel like I have made an enormous improvement in writing different genre and rhetorical analysis related with the high fantasy. The method, I learned in this class is how to relate the text and secondary sources with the high fantasy which has been one of the most beneficial sources for me to improve my writing, not only that, but also my rhetorical, creative skills, and critical thinking about high fantasy.

At the time that I have been in the college, I have used some of the strategies named in the introduction of the book “The Norton Reader” such as: Describing, rereading, exemplifying and knowing about the author and the audience. However, it surprised me to know that there were even more strategies than the previously mentioned. Personally, I got some interest, knowing about comparing and contrasting that in the book’s word means: “which analyzes the similarities and differences between or among people, places, things, or ideas.” Because I can see how finding similarities between articles can help the reader to understand them better. Of course, I’m going to use those new strategies in future because they can help me as reader to create strong

In assignment number three, I was instructed to write a short summary about an article titled Hidden Intellectualism by Gerald Graff. Learning goal number two is being able to write in various academic genres. I demonstrated that I understood this learning goal because I was never able to write in any other genre then free writing. This assignment helped me perfect my skills in writing short summaries about an article because it broadened my expertise in writing. Thinking of summarizing, you’d incorporate it as an easy task but for me it really wasn't. Writing a short summary on an interesting article was not easy. I started off by using the skills of learning goal number one and annotated the article throughout my reading. Writing in different

Tell It Slant second edition “Creating, Refining, and publishing Creative Nonfiction,”by Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola is a great guide that has many helpful tips to help students to enhance their writing. Each chapter introduces students to new writing stargazes and techniques along with corresponding examples of literature. By giving examples the students are able to have a better understanding of the different styles used. Furthermore, after carefully reviewing the chapters I strongly believe that it would be highly beneficial to the students if the following pieces of literature would be included.

Lacking experience in writing and reading, English is my most feared subject. It is the one and only vulnerable spot in my otherwise invincible academic armor. I hate writing and I despise reading. Other than magazines, I cannot recall reading anything since "The Crucible" which was a teacher assigned book in my sophomore high school English class. Not that I read a lot before that, I don't remember reading any books in my middle school years neither. Now, with this writing assignment since a long time, my brain feels like an old rusty engine of an 81 Porsche cranking up for the first time in years, readying to compete in the heat.

We began our second unit of writing. We will be studying different authors’ writing to learn how to make our own writing better.

Before I came to college, I felt my writing had to follow a certain pattern and be fixated around one way of thinking. What I was fortunate to learn was quite the opposite. Writing does not have to follow any certain pattern, but can rather be structured through many different possibilities. I was also told in high school that my papers either had to agree or disagree with the given topic, even if I believed otherwise. This formulated a very one-track way of thinking when it came to my papers. Now I know that I can let my mind explore new and exciting ideas. I can agree, disagree, compliment, criticize, and question the author however my heart desires, as long as I have the evidence to back myself up. Many authors in the book, Writing About Writing, explain their processes as well as the processes of others when it comes to writing. As a writer, I can draw on my own processes and relate them to the authors, as well as use their ideas and apply them to myself. Through reading, I have learned new methods of invention, planning and revising, and incubation when it comes to writing. All ways I can use to create more meaningful and creative work.