Class: WRIT 1302
Author: Alberto M. Colon
Dear Reader, I hope that you are doing well today, I would
what I have to think about them while Writing
like to say thank you and that I am super
Project #2: Writing Process Search where I
grateful that you are spending your time
gather research, from peers and professionals,
reading my work! To give you a brief
to discuss time spent writing, and how much
overview of the work that you are about to
written and how that affects the emotion
read, it spans over all of my fall semesters,
towards the writing and in the final writing
August till December, and all of the writing
project, Writing Project #3: Revised theory of
projects I have done in that time for my Class
writing where I go back and reflect on
Writing and Rhetoric in total I have written 3
Writing Project #1 and see what has changed
papers one being Writing Project #1:
since August. Once again thank you so much
Preliminary Theory of Writing, Writing
for taking the time to read my work
Project #2: Writing Process Search and Writing Project #3: Revised theory of writing,
Sincerely,
In Between each there will be my impressions
Tito M. Colon
about them as I am nearing the end of the class. Writing Project #1: Preliminary Theory of Writing will show you my first thought about writing at the begging of the semester and
- Writing Project #1: Preliminary Theory of Writing …………..……………...Pg. 1 - Reflection for WP#1 ……………..…………....Pg.6 - Writing Project #2: Writing Process Search ……….. Pg. 8 - Reflection for WP#2 .... Pg. 12 - Writing Project #3: Revised theory of writing …….. Pg. 14 - Reflection for WP#3 .... Pg. 18 - About the Author ….... Pg. 20
Writing Project One: my first theory of writing
Writing can be many things from books, comics, scripts, to TV shows, but writing can also take the form of art. Because writers convey their message through words, emotions, and make a world out of nothing. The best example I can think of for what good or bad writing is is actually from a video game technically the same game there is Call of Duty World at War, which was released in 2008 (World at War) being a good example and Call of Duty World War 2 (WW2) the bad writing. ​A summary of both of these games, both of them take place during world war 2, ​World at War tells the story of the Americans (in the Pacific) and the Soviets (the Eastern Front). But World War II tells the story of America in France. Why I believe writing of World at War has excellent writing is because of the impact it leaves on the viewer, the writer masterly writes with emotion and verger not holding back, but also not using the experience of war as pure shock, which I felt left a deeper impact, whereas for the bad writing (of World War) it holds back and just tries to hurry the viewer along. In addition, it tries to shock the viewer with over-glorified reparation of war. getting us ready for what we are about to experience, I believe that World at War has the better intro to the writer and conveys the feelings of
1
despair and tragedy into their script. The
to bite and flip to the next page. Which makes
introduction to the setting is Frederick D.
the writing feel much more natural and
Roseovlet, message to congress, about Pearl
enjoyable while also leaving a little mystery.
Harbor. The emotions that the writer makes
For example a writer that I love, Hajime
me feel, inspire, and shows why there was a
Isayama, in his story Attack On Titans w here
need to fight. Whereas the writer in World
he gives just enough of the information where
War does not leave the same impact but
it feels natural and not word vomit. When I
instead kinda just strings the story along.
imagine a writer the image pops into my head
While World War 2 ends with more of a
is someone who in a sense... just looks like a
movie ending with everyone going back and
regular person, they don’t look any different
being happy with a picture-perfect ending
than me, I can’t conjure a clear image because
with all of the horror of war, World at War
I am torn between one being a game story
the ending leaves more of a long-lasting
writer and the other being someone who
impression with real-life footage of Japan
writes comics. When I think of a game writer
surrendering and showing the statistics of
I imagine someone in a desk wearing
what I just experienced. The characteristics of
semi-formal clothes like a button shirt and
what makes writing good is knowing how to
jeans or just something comfortable, maybe
use impact. In the book the things they carried glasses and some tattoos if any. And as for by Tim O’Brein he talks about how a writer
comics, I just imagine someone in an office,
does not just throw in things like drugs, sex,
or a place find peaceful wherever that maybe,
or violence a writer, uses those as a stock to
as for what do I think a writer has good social
leave impact not just as, “oh the story a little
skills and is someone relatable, they don’t
boring, let me throw this in to spice it up.''
have a superiority complex and they aren’t
This is something I believe when reading a
humble either the best way I can put it that
story due to me liking more grounded stories.
they are just human. As for what a writer does
Another thing writers do is they know how to
and their practices, I think the biggest thing is
tell a story.By that I mean a writer does not
to know when to take a break, writers don't
just force information down my throat, a
need to write a whole 300 page book in a
writer knows when to give a full blown
week, they know when to take a step back and
explanation and when to just give just enough
evaluate the story they are writing another
2
practice they do is whatever they need to do
that was always a unique feeling because even
to write. Writers are all different, each one has though I knew my paper was bad, always a very different need and way to write, So a
adding that extra paragraph made writing the
practice they do is whatever it takes for them
story a little easier. When I imagine writers, I
to write. I got my ideas from my outlook on
see them having fun with their work, enjoying
life and from the stories of the people I have
what they create and doing it to the best of
read, growing up I always played games and
their abilities and loving what they do. As for
read some comics, I saw developer notes and
the bad writer, an example I can give is
how the majority of them present themselves
someone who vomits out what they are trying
in work. I also had some family members who to say, they make a whole new story just to were Game developers and I just gave
understand what happened, a good writer
everyone who works on the game their
knows how to space out what you are reading,
overarching appearance, I also learned a lot of
while also making it feel natural but a bad
“good writing from my teachers particularly
writer just writes whatever comes to mind
my Junior year English teacher, he would
making reading a pain, because I don’t want
always talk about how the writer, wrote and
to read multiple paragraphs without any depth
what they did to get inspired while writing,
to them.
from my own experience of writing I got a lot
The things that I believe a good writer does to
of my ideas from my morality teacher and my
make their writing good, is to have a story of
Freshman/ Senior English teacher, he always
plan. Now I don't mean to have the whole
tried to make us write outside of the box,
from page one to the end of the story done but
making us take unique approach both of style
have a rough idea of where the story should
and writing. One thing that I always
be headed towards. A perfect example is from
remember from him was he was always
Attack on Titans where the author has a clear
encouraging us to try even if we knew it was
outline of what gonna happen he took this
bad, he would say “ give it one more
single idea of humanity being protected by
paragraph”
walls, and turns it into a whole story, having a vague idea of how the story should end, and what he needs to do to get there.
3
But that is not the key thing he, Hajime
from my experience with the reading I have
Isayama, does. As the story progresses and
done and the games I have played, the ones I
there are countless mysteries that are brought
always remember (other than the one with
to the read, but you were paying attention
nostalgic factor) were the ones with an impact
these mysteries have always been shown, and
or something was done so unique that it stuck
if you go back and reread, suddenly you pick
with one, for example, a certain sense, or the
up on the small thing, like a charters reaction,
music that was used or the setting the story
or the way they spoke, or even what they were was placed in, while those help with forming doing. They were so hidden that you would
my idea the biggest factor for these ideas
never have noticed them until you learn the
would definitely be my Junior English
mystery for yourself, it's that type of planning
teacher, he would always pick great books
and attention to detail that I love. Another
that would always use tone, and he would
thing that a great writer does is set the tone of
expect us when writing to apply the
the story, now sometimes this can be easier in
knowledge we took from reading the book to
comics, shows, games than in books but
put it in our papers.
nevertheless it still can be done.
The evidence that I have to prove my theory
The thing that I always loved was that in
that writing is art, is that each writing whether
comics or games, there was more use of tone
they are writing a speech, a book about a
you didn’t necessarily have to be told what
fantasy world, or a story about history each
tone was being used but rather have I can see
writing is leaving they mark on each page,
or hear what the writer was trying to say or
similar to a canvas, but more importantly art
do, in addition to the tone. These ideas came
is about creativity as many writers do they take a single, idea
4
and they can whole worlds around it, or set
one it can be tiring to read (boring or supping
whole sense. Creating many images, or
out words to fill pages) or it can be all over
feelings for us.
the place where there is no clear end to the
There are a great number of things that writers story. Where I received these ideas is from do whether it be its genre, what it is trying to
my experience reading, and noticing what I
tell the audience, or if it’s trying to be
thought the writer did well and what I noticed
entertaining. regardless of those people do not
when the writer made me want to stop
just read and say “Hey, this writing is
reading.
amazing!” Writing typically falls into two main categories good and bad. What I believe good writing looks like a story has it beginning, it has it larger substance (like what's happening in the story) and of course it’s ending. But bad writing is different in several ways,
5
Preliminary Theory of Writing: Reflection
When I look at Writing Project #1 there are many things that stand out to me. One of them being the lack of organization in my writing. The writing feels as though I am flipping between many different stories. For example, at one point I was talking about a game and its story to switching the topic to another reading all in the span of a few sentences. While also feeling as though it is being written just to be written, there is simply no flow in my writing. While the organization is very poor in this paper I also notice a lot of run-on sentences and grammar mistakes, which definitely showed the lack of attention to detail I gave. While writing and editing the paper. There are also numerous amounts of punctuation errors that I have seen while looking back at my paper. There are many things that have changed since writing this paper. One of the things that have changed since
6
writing this paper is I feel that my
There are many things that I have learned
organization in writing has definitely changed
from this paper one, no matter how many
for the better, and also some of my ideas have
times I have reviewed a paper or who has
changed since writing this paper, which I will
review always give it one more check before
touch on in Writing Project #3.
submitting the work, I’ve also come to the
While this paper is very poorly edited. It has
conclusion that having a more planned out
given me the realization that I need to change
writing step like an outline will come in
the level of care given to my writing. I have
handy to organize what I am going to write.
someone review it to see if my wording
To ensure that all the points that I am trying to
makes sense and also I check my paper more
hit are made in the paper.
often. While writing I also do not write entire pages in one night instead I break them into sensations and do a little every day.
7
Writing Project 2: The
When going over the data that was collected
correlation of length,
interesting observation that being the length
time, and emotion in
and how it affects emotions afterward.
writing
Personally, I do not get many writing
for this research paper I made a very of writing, and the time spent on the writing,
assignments, I typically only have to write maybe two to three pages a week. Nevertheless, the process for my writing is always the same. First I start to think of how to structure and organize what I will write I do this by talking it out by myself, even though it makes me look crazy it’s what works best for me, after organizing my thought, I put on a playlist of only instrumental music, and I start to write whatever comes to mind, no matter how it sounds or where it should go in the paper, whatever comes to mind I put it down. When I have finished with my mess of words I start to actually get serious and seriously out what I am trying to say. But when I actually have to write I write at night typically anywhere from 8 PM to 2 AM because it is the only time I can actually stay focus on my work. I get most of my writing from my Introduction to Business class, and my Writing and Rhetoric I class. In my Introduction to Business class, we are assigned weekly reports on anything
8
business-related, personally, I don’t really
of what it is or how well it might fit in with
mind these or go all out with my writing but
the sentence or paragraph. But when I am
instead just map out what I plan to write and
under the two hours my mind is more jubilant
knock it out in a night. However, in Writing
and more focused on what I am trying to say
and Rhetoric, It can vary from our Read and
or put into words. When having that lesser
Respond to a formal paper. For my Read and
amount of time spent it gives me more
Respond, I typically do the same steps for my
confidence in what I am trying to say and
Business News Report. But for a formal
giving more of a push to achieve better.
essay, I go through a whole process of making diagrams, spending hours just thinking about
As for the length of the paper, this is also
how the paper should be structured, but when
something that really does have a massive
it comes to the actual writing, I write at night
impact on how I view my writing. For
and have a playlist of nothing but
anything I am passionate about I can write for
instrumental to help me focus.
what almost seems like an unlimited amount
One key factor I noticed when it came to
of pages, but once it’s more restricted or
emotion is the time spent on writing. For me,
something super narrow, like a lab report or
this is a deal-breaker. My personal rule of
quick response, I tend to dread writing those
thumb is to never spend more than two hours
especially if it’s writing more than a few
straight writing without some sort of break or
pages. For me, it feels like I’m writing just to
distraction to reduce the chance of me
write without much reason to write, and
becoming burnt out. The things that I notice
without a feeling, or reason, to write I
for my writing is once I go over the two-hour
naturally feel like my passion to write is also
mark I tend to get more lethargic and
gone, and with that happening. I being to sulk
incoherent in my writing and just write
about the outcome of my writing.
whatever comes to mind without much thought
9
When reviewing my writing from the logging
mount of time to complete the writing, the
period I noticed when both length and time
data suggested that it can give the writer, in
spent writing was in a good mix, that was
this case being my peers and I, more
when I always felt the best and most confident confidence to write. As for the Length of about my writing. That being a common
writing one professional writer does say
trend, that I observed, among the data that
something interesting. In “shitty First Drafts”
was collected from my classmates. Whenever
by Anne Lamott, she says a very similar
there was a happy medium between time
point, to what I argue, saying that no writer
spent and the length of writing there was
sits down and has an idea of where their
typically a higher level of joy after writing. In
writing will go. Saying that it’s best to not set
several of the entries from my peers, they had
expectations because you never know where
to write about three pages worth of writing in
the writing might take you. When I read this,
under an hour where their emotion towards
it gives the impression that those writers do
that writing was ‘5/10’ whereas another group
not give themselves deadlines like “ I need to
of people who wrote for a similar amount of
write X amount of pages or paragraphs, to
time but less amount of writing had a more
feel accomplished.” Giving yourself
positive reaction towards their writing, for a
unrealistic deadlines to write is
page difference but in a similar amount of
counter-intuitive to the point of writer, to
time most ratings were 7/10 not a huge
bring joy from their writing and creating an
increase, but three points could mean a lot for
idea and making it into something. There are
someone.
also examples of professional writers who do think that the time spent writing is important.
With all the data that was collected, there is
For example in the article “Goofing Off
definitely a strong correlation between the
While the Muse Recharges” by Richard Ford,
length of writing and the time spent writing
he talks about how it is important to take
and how these affect the writer’s emotions
breaks while writing, giving more of a chance
towards their work. The reason that this is
to recuperate a writer’s train of thought and
relevant to the data that I am collecting is that
time to think.
when both my peers and I are given an amount of writing and an accommodating
10
He sums it up perfectly when he says
that, I do think several things need to be
“protocol still causes even me to write too
noted. Firstly there was an extension in time
much. It's hard to write just enough.” All be it
to collect data, two all the data was self-report
he was talking about taking a break in
with little to none 3rd party checking. Finally,
between large writing projects, I believe that
COVID-19 has had unprecedented negative
it can also apply to breaks in between smaller
effects on my peers. The Coronavirus has
writing projects as the saying goes “Death by
inadvertently shifted my peers’ lesson plans
a thousand paper-cuts,” there is still an
around and forced them to take online classes
important need to recharge in-between
for the first time, which may have disrupted
anything lest you want to drain yourself out.
their writing styles and procedures. I do think there should be more research done from set
To go on further of what Richard Ford said, it
groups, in terms of majors, like STEM
is beneficial for writers to take a break so that
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
the stresses of the last writing period fade
students to compare them to less writing focus
away and don’t carry over to the next writing
majors and see if STEM has a different
or project. Where he refers to a long amount
preference of length of writing and time spent
of time spent writing I notice that in the data
writing compared to others majors, while also
collected from my peers that the more time in
giving the participants more definite set of
between writing with a sufficient amount of
rules to follow.
time for a break gives less of the stress and achieves a more appropriate emotion towards the writing. In conclusion, when comparing the length of writing and the time spent writing and its effects on emotions towards the writing, from professionals, my peers, and myself, there were not many things that came to surprise me. However, one thing that did surprise me was the number of people that did write in long bursts or in short bursts. In addition to
11
Writing Project #2 reflection
When I went back and read through my Writing Project #2 there were a lot less than I could tell immediately from looking at it. However, after going through it a few times, I notice there are some little things like punctuation that could have used some improvement. Specifically, I could have improved my use of comma and periods to make the sentences flow a little better. Another thing that I did not notice until now was I never correctly cited readings. Another thing that I notice after going through it a few more times and recalling writing this paper is the struggle I had while trying to start writing this paper. It was a little more challenging than I first had thought it was going to be. It is a little evident in the opening of the paper it starts off with a topic but immediately switches to what I think rather than what the first paragraph talks about. Personally, I do not think that much has changed since I have written this paper. I still really enjoyed researching the topic of time spent writing and the length of writing and how it affects the emotions the author has towards the writing. I would also say that this writing was also super fun and enjoyable to research and write about.
12
One thing that I learned from this paper was that I am way more comfortable writing research-related papers than more open-end papers. Comparing it to writing Writing Project #1 it was easier and enjoyable to write about research and the trends that I found while reviewing the material gathered, to begin writing. In addition to learning my preference for writing research papers. This was the first paper that I tried organizing what I was gonna write before actually writing my paper using either both a very rough outline and a word map before starting to fully write out my paper.
13
Writing Project #3:
While looking back to my first day of class, I
Revised Theory of
just figured all we would do is write papers
Writing
didn't know what to expect. To be honest, I and read a lot about writers as that was always my experience with writing and English classes. In addition to that, I never gave much thought to what writers do and what makes a good writer. Of course, I had my ideas but I never gave it too much thought. You can really see this in my first writing project, as it’s just a hodgepodge of ideas about writers and heavily based on what I initially perceived as good writing without much evidence. My previous perception of good writing was that all a writer needed to do was love their work and truly enjoy the story they were writing. I got this idea from a mix of my old art teacher and my own ideas. My art teacher would say, “There is no such thing as bad art or good art, it is what the artist sees.” What I got from that quote was that writing is a form of art. In other words, if an author can create a whole fictional world with just their words, then there is no difference between Van Gogh and the writer — both of their works are valuable.
14
As class went on, however, we had many
required to write a fictional story or really a
discussions in both our large class and small
story at all, I had always thought that a good
group, read many pieces of works and had an
writer always knows how their story will end.
opportunity to review previous submitted
For example, I read a lot of Shakespeare in
papers. I came to a realization that many of
high school and all of his stories had a clear
my ideas were wrong and needed to change.
beginning, middle and end. Attack on Titans
For example, I said that writing only needs to
is another example of a very clear story line;
be loved by its author for it to be considered
it’s a comic book from Japan and the author,
good. To some extent, I still believe that, but
Hajime Isayama, never wrote any tangents,
it was missing a crucial part — the audience.
making the story feel very fluid and natural. I
While it doesn’t always need to be perfect, if
always thought these stories, among others,
the intended audience for the piece does not
were planned out to every last detail.
relate, that might be a reality check that it isn’t “good.” In the reading Failure is Not An
In my opinion, this idea about a well planned
failing while writing we can become
that changed my perception was, Shitty First
Option, by Allison D. Carr, she says that by
empowered by the new possibilities that can
out story was the most incorrect. The reading Drafts by Anne Lamott. The line that stood
emerge from what we learn. When I said that
out the most was, “Very few writers really
the writers just need to love their work I took
know what they are doing until they've done
away their ability to grow from their failures.
it. Nor do they go about their business feeling
In fact, I didn’t account for the author
dewy and thrilled.” Reading this honestly
becoming more empathetic towards their
shocked me. It felt like the world I once knew
intended audience by ensuring that their
was crashing down. I had always imagined
works reaches the people they intend to reach.
writers as very well organized and having everything meticulously thought out, leaving
Another one of the ideas I proposed in my
no room for error. Seeing that they were less
first theory of writing paper was an author
rigid in their writing, was also reaffirming
needs to have a well thought out story before
though.
they even start writing. In hindsight, that was a foolish statement. Never having been
15
In Writers are Mythical, Magical, and
I always viewed writers as simply ordinary
Damaged, Teri Holbrook and Melanie
humans. They are no different than you or me,
Hundley, write almost a whole page talking
and my perception of them has not changed.
about how to cope with the struggles of
When I was first enrolled in this class, my
writing and the frustration they have with
definition of writers was quite broad. Writers
their own, including fears of rejection, failure
are not just book authors, but web-bloggers,
and the book not doing well once it was
game developers, and even my Junior year
published. Going back to Shitty First Drafts,
English teacher. These people had barely
one of her friends wakes up and says to
anything in common, if you were to just see
himself, "It's not like you don't have a choice
their title. It’s not like you can see some
because you do — you can either type or kill
outstanding feature and instantly point and
yourself." That single sentence radiates the
say, “Oh yeah, that person right there, they
struggle of writing and how difficult it can be
are a writer.” What I realize through this
to just write.
class, however, is that all writers have a perception on the world that they want to
I also saw the magic of writing. While the
share with others. Writing is a universal
authors may not have known the full arc of
platform that gives people an opportunity to
the story, they did trust that their craft would
share their voice. It shows that writing is for
get them there. These authors write and keep
everyone.
on going until they feel that it is “good enough” and then continue to improve what
While writing is for everyone, what surprised
they have written through the editing process.
me most is that many of my peers consider
I only realized this during our Writing Project
themselves to be writers. Classmates that I
Two, when we all shared our own writing
met through this class, in fact, are writing
experiences and how we felt when writing.
books, have a blog, or even have daily writing
This research really made me realize the true
practices. I didn’t realize just how many of
complexity of writing and the care that goes
my peers were passionate about this skill.
into it.
16
While reflecting on my own personal writing
The article showed me that all of these
practices, for the most part, there is not much
famous writers had writing rituals but what
I am going to change. What I will take with
was interesting was that none of them were
me moving forward is having a more detailed
the same. In other words, it’s ok that your
outline of my essay before I start. This
ritual is different as long as it is working for
semester, I experimented with having a
you.
notebook dedicated to this class. In the notebook, I would write out the instructions, create a word map that would include topics and points to touch on in the essay and then use that to create a formal outline. The reason I started doing this is because of the discussion we had early in the semester where my peers shared what they do to stay organized for writing assignments.
As I said, my ideas really were a hodgepodge — I had no idea what to expect from writing or what made a “good” writer. I’ve learned a lot and feel confident that the practices I’ve learned will serve me moving forward. I have also learned, however, there is still so much I don’t know and writing is a practice. You quite literally have to practice it over time if you want to get better. If nothing else, writers
Clearly, this pre-writing exercise will be something that I integrate into my writing ritual moving forward. I still plan to write at night as that is the easiest and most productive time for me and I also still plan to have some sort of music on while writing to help me focus and get into the zone. The pre-writing exercise simply helps to organize my writing and I feel confident in the time and how I write. The reading that influenced me to keep my writing rituals such as listening to music and writing at night was, Writing Rituals: Superstition or Productivity? by Chip Scanlan.
17
are persistent.
Reflection of the Class
Overall, since the beginning of this class, there has been a lot that has changed both from my writing and from how I look at writing. When I write now I always have some form of writing done before actually fully writing the paper to have some sort of baseline and to ensure that my paper is organized. Now that I am nearing the end of the course when I look at writing I try to see what motivated the author to write the way they and to see why they did it. Was it a story, a diary entry, or something else entirely? What has caused many of the changes that I have gone through are the class decisions, particularly the ones in my small group. I was able to learn a lot from my peers in my group both in writing style and ideas about writing, My group was super diverse from people all across the world, and to see how they were taught to write and how they saw writers. Was super interesting. But the group’s discussion was not the only thing that has caused me to change. The reading was super insightful which gave me more to understand the writing process and who writers are. One thing that I will take with me to other classes is to have a group of people review my writing. Before taking this class it was usually just one person who would go over my
18
writing, but having four people go over it made revising the paper super easy and gave more insight into the areas I can improve in.One of the many things that I will take with me once this class is over. It is always best to have some ideas about your writing before actually writing the full paper. Having some sort of word map or outline made prior to writing allowed me to see what to do next which helped me with the flow of my writing. I see some parts of writing differently. One of the biggest parts that I see differently is the process of writing. I always have thought the writers just sit down and instantly know what to write, it never really hit me that the writer does not always have a full understanding of where their writing will take them or what the final product will be. BE thank you for a wonderful semester, this was and is my favorite class this year, I always look forward to our Monday class! And happy holidays! I look forward to seeing you on the Hilltop.
19
About the Author
Tito M. Colon
Tito is an undergraduate graduate student who goes to school at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Tito is a Business Administration Major and plans to continue in the field of business, And hopes one day get to work at his dream job Microsoft or one of the companies that they own.
20
