9-12-12 Berkenkotter and Murray Assignment

Greg Warman                   

9-12-12

English 1510

QDJ Questions:

1)      Murray formats his writing into a sort of journal. Each entry was numbered in chronological order as to when they occurred.  This allows a clear distinction between his transition of feelings and mindset about the experiment he had volunteered for.  The numerical approach of ordering his article really helps in the understanding of the processes he was put through and gives an easy to understand perception of what he writes about. If I were to been involved in a research experiment like this one, I, too, would have kept a journal-like entry to mark down my experiences and feelings. 

3) Berkenkotter realized from this research that a writer will function differently in an environment in which they are accustomed to than that in an unfamiliar environment.  Also, a writer used to certain tasks will function differently when given an uncommon task, even if the person is known as a writer.  Basically, Berkenkotter obtained the understanding that each writer bears his own styles, ways of writing, where they’re comfortable writing, what they prefer to write about, and reasons behind their writing.  She believes we need to further our research in each of these before we can understand the writing process in all its complexity. 

AEI Question:

1)      My writing usually takes place after a long period of procrastination.  I tend to complete only one, unrevised copy of my papers, unless I am instructed that a draft or outline is mandated. I’ve found that my best papers come from times when I’ve put off my assignment until the last possible second.  The procrastination, though I am not actually writing, allows me to accumulate ideas and possible things to put into my writing before I actually sit down to do the writing. I believe your experience in writing does determine how much time you spend on parts of your paper. An experienced writer probably has more time and motivation to revise their paper and has more time for certain parts of their paper.  As for an inexperienced writer, they are probably students, or upcoming authors, who try to get their work finished fast and efficiently and don’t really take time to revise and put that extra thought and effort into their paper. 

Meta Moment:

One thing I learned from reading this article is that by studying my own writing habits, especially those that I unconsciously do, I can learn to critique my habits and find other ways to improve my writing and writing styles. 

Synthesis:

        There are many writings regarding research about writing, and many of those involve experiments. Berkenkotter and Murray’s way of going about their writing was different than any other article I have come across thus far.  As two different writers, they came together in one research plan and both monitored the research into their own ways, but in the end making it one article.  This is unique because this reading gives the reader the perspective of two different researchers in the same research: one actually playing the role of the researcher, Berkenkotter, and the other playing the role of the one being researched, Murray.

Summary:

        Berkenkotter and Murray, to researching writers, come together to perform an experiment involving how environment affects the writing process.  Berkenkotter records the processes and habits of Murray in his writing in regards to the environments he is put in.  The results from the experiment are that Murray and Berkenkotter become close colleagues and they are given a better understanding about how watching your own habits of writing can help you to critique and improve your own writing.  Also, it allows one to find their own comfort zones of writing.  They found that when one is thrown into a new environment , their writing is greatly affected. Basically, the research taken place shows how writing cannot be generalized by one perspective because one must take into perspective the different extraneous things the writer encountered while they were writing. 

Personal Response:

        After reading this article between Berkenkotter and Murray, I’ve received a little relief in the fact that Murray, in the experiment, faced a sort of writer’s block to where he could not write at all.  So much as to where he debated the idea of quitting and giving up.  I can relate to that feeling of hopelessness where I cannot think of anything to write.  After reading the article, I now know that I need to critique my writing habits and find my own sort of comfort zone where I can complete my writings to the best of my ability.