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.
