Composing Process #1
One of my first daybook entries, “Response to Peer Edit Feedback Article” contributed to the learning outcome of the composing process because feedback is a main component in editing. In any english or writing class I have ever had throughout my education, I have always despised peer editing. When I responded to the Peer Edit Article, it was very apparent I was not fond of peer editing, for example, I wrote, “Peer editing was always a chore” as my first reaction. I chose to include this piece in my reflection because it shows, very blatantly, what kind of mindset I had on peer editing which I can compare to the mindset I have now. For example, I wrote, “I always thought it was very unhelpful to peer edit.” Throughout the course, we have experimented with various forms and set-ups with peer editing, and a few have been eye opening for me. The type of peer edit that I most enjoyed over the semester was the “speed dating” concept. The one on one conversation helped keep a focus for me, and the limited time made it easy to talk about what was necessary. Another example of my feelings towards peer editing at the beginning of the semester includes a quote from my daybook entry, “Thinking about a writer, if they are shy, reserved, not doing well in class, etc., has never occurred to me when peer editing.” Looking at a person’s writing in correlation with their behavior has been a new endeavor for me this semester. It is most definitely a new perspective for me, but my opening mindset about peer editing has developed over the course and led me to consider a variety of options when looking at a peer’s work. Editing is a crucial part of the composing process at any stage, which is why I included this entry in my reflection of the growth of my writing.
Composing Process #2
I chose to also include my “Thought Entry” into my reflections of the growth of my writing in the composing process. A “thought entry” or “word vomit” was something I had never heard or done before in an english or writing class. Now that I have done several throughout the semester, I can say that they are helpful to me and my research and writing. My thought entry helped lay out all my thoughts and ideas about specific points in my research blog. For example, when prompted what my “primary issue” was I responded with, “I’d like to explore health affected by media. More specifically, how the media affects obesity rates in children, teens, and adults.” The thought entry helped pinpoint my exact purpose, because when I wrote down my first sentence it was too broad and pinpointing a specific purpose to a set of blogs is imperative. Also, my thought entry helped decide my audience, sources, and expectations, which has previously been daunting if not clarified early in the research process. Another important aspect thought entries have opened my eyes to is asking many inquiry questions about your line of research. For example, I wrote down several questions at the end of my thought entry, such as, “What age group does obesity affect the most?” “What gender, social status, marital status, financial status does obesity affect the most?” “How can we as a country, or population, overcome this issue?” (Click here for what I had to say about this.)“What medium of media affect it [children] the most?” (Click here for what I had to say about this. - WWWDD) In looking back on the questions that I asked in my thought entry, it is interesting as well as satisfying to see that I answered some of my own questions and concerns in my blog! Laying all your thoughts and opinions out on the table before you begin writing has been educational for me and the growth of my writing this semester. It has allowed me to be more organized and precise within my research and my commentation.
Composing Process #3
Research is an important component to the composing process because it allows us to read and interpret others thoughts and ideas as we form our own commentary and opinions on the topic you are researching. Research in the past for me had not been as in-depth and as informative as it has been for me this past semester. I chose to include this daybook entry “Read, See, Listen” in my reflection to exemplify that researching a topic, if done right, can be informative and worth a lot of information. For example, in my entry I researched a documentary on Netflix called “Hungry for Change.” When prompted with several questions, I was able to develop specific information that would be helpful to include into my inquiry blog posts. For example, I was asked what the purpose of the documentary was and I wrote, “The purpose is to inform the viewer of the dangers of ignorance of the substances they are putting into their body.” I also developed certain questions that I had after I was finished watching the documentary, such as, “Why is there so little concern for this issue [obesity]?” “What age group does the marketing/advertisement affect most?” In developing these questions I am also developing new perspectives and content I can research to put into my blogs. It is important, for the composing process, to research thoroughly and pick out critical information to include in your writing. I have grown in my research abilities over the course of the semester due to the wide-variety of information and quality of information I include in my writing.