Valerie Teagarden and Robert Lawson
Burnett discusses the importance of the writing process in chapter 7. She breaks the chapter into three main categories. The first category is inventing and exploring, this process allows the writer to explore different ideas, take notes, make observations, basically consider all options. During inventing and exploring the writer will engage in problem solving which creates an opportunity to investigate any potential problems. Burnett lists eight different stages. 1. Identify the context and problem. 2. Gather and evaluate information in order to set priorities. 3. Formulate alternative possible solutions that may differ from conventional approaches. 4. Draw on prior knowledge and experiences with similar problems in order to determine the preferred outcome and criteria for success. 5. Assess alternatives and select plan of action. 6. Start on the most appropriate, efficient solution. 7. Monitor individual and group performance against the outcome. 8. Evaluate.
Next Burnett discusses problem solving strategies which include; brainstorming, the 5 W's+H (who, what, where, why, when, and how), cause and effect analysis, and synthetics.
The second category Burnett brings attention to is planning and organizing. Typical writers engage in schema-driven planning, knowledge-driven planning, and constructive planning. Schema planning involves creating a document based off of a existing document. Knowledge-driven planning is using knowledge of the subject to create the document. Constructive planning usually involves more time because it requires analysis of the purpose, audience, task and variety of constraints. When planning it is important to consider the nine rhetorical elements constraints, context, purpose, audience, organization, visuals, document design, usability, language conventions. Among the nine rhetorical elements it is necessary to asses the logic of the document. This includes using reputable data to create acceptance with the audience. Also, presenting facts that are complete and not out of context. It is important to leave the audience not assuming or creating a distorted view. Also, creating a substantial relationship between cause and effect, not leaving the audience guessing on the order of events.
The last category Burnett touches on is drafting. Burnett mentions six different decisions that are being made during the drafting process. 1. Selecting a persons view (first, second, or third person). 2. Verb mood (indicative, imperative, or subjunctive). 3. Selecting a active or passive voice. 4. Using plain, simplified language. 5. Avoiding density, making it comprehensible and usable. 6. Using given-new analysis, connecting new information with previous knowledge of the audience.
Burnett state that the writing process is recursive, meaning that all steps usually happen at different times repeatedly or they could all occur at the same time.
12 comments:
Chapter 7 was an informational chapter. I always like reading the stages to conider in different processes of creating a document. so, reading the 8 different stages of inventing and exploring. Reading the steps and seeing them in print (allowing me to look back upon them) for future refrence. Also helpful for me because when I do need to write I usually get a writers block. seeing the steps refreshes my memory and helps me think of ideas when in need.
The section about brainstorming was kindof a review for me. The 5 W's + H, have been introduced to me many times throughout my education.
I found the Drafting session the most informational. The list of six differnt decisions to make before drafting are thought inspiring for me. Personally, when I write I tend to mix my persons of view, unintentially. So becoming aware of that one step alone will help improve my writing skills.
I found the chapter to be mostly review but quite informational at the same time. Going over the different stages of creating a document is always helpful since alot of times writers will know what they are trying to get across but can't entirely organize the information to display it properly to their audience. I can relate since it's easy to find information on a topic 95% of the time but being able to put it out there properly is equally as important as the information itself.
There are many different ways to use the writing process, as this chapter explains. I have been able to use many different versions of it through either writing a research paper for school, maybe an opinionated paper, or a short story for class, all which involve many different ways of using the writing process, so like corey said, this is mostly review for me.
One thing that I really enjoyed about this chapter was all the critical questions to ask during planning. I think the planning part of creating a document is the most difficult part. With these set of guideline/questions to follow it makes it somewhat easier. This figure is 7.5 “Considerint Rhetorical Elements.”
I thought that the section on using plain language was interesting. I don’t like reading documents that contain too many words or what the book calls “wordiness”. I think this is something that all writers need to take into consideration. I personally add way too many words and ramble on, most likely creating the document to make less sense. This section was good for me to read and think about.
When writing, sometimes the first category 'inventing and exploring' is skipped over in haste to get to the 'planning and organizing' stage. I think planning is a great idea and could potentially prevent problems later on in the process. For me, it works well to plan because it helps me see the whole picture and where each part I have finished fits. The detail in the chapter on drafting is very interesting as well...most of the time, some of the steps defined by the author occur naturally for some people but could also help those that struggle during this stage.
Good review Valerie and Robert. Creative writing is not an easy skill to learn, but I think that Burnett really did great explaining the process to writing successful. Even back in grade school, our freewriting class tought me about the 5 W's. It is nice to see helpful points continuing to show up through college. This chapter was very informative for me to think about my writing skills and plan more.
I find that in writing I often try new processes. A new technique that I was taught just this last year was fast writing. It involves not thinking about the structure of a paper but just getting the thoughts out on paper. Overall these new ways to create a document may come in handy in the near future.
It is key to plan and outline your writing before and even during the process. I agree it is important to consider the nine rhetorical elements; constraints, context, purpose, audience, organization, visuals, document design, usability, and language conventions to make sure all your “bases” are covered within your writing(s). Following these nine elements can work especially well with writing together in teams. It is also key to asses your data and make sure it supports your writing. I agree that invaluable data can harden the credibility of your writing(s).
Great Review! I love this chapter mainly due to the templates/guidelines this chapter has to offer. Following the tables presented in this chapter will make our writing/communicating tecniques that much better. 5W+H was review, however its always good to review past topics.
When i create a document i have always run into problems moving on to the next step, and the stages of creating a document are helpful to put a different perspecive on what im thinking and what i want to put down on paper. Sometimes stepping back and looking at how a written piece will be organized is a very good step in creating documents.
This chapter talks about planning and drafting. Good writers plan about what they will write about. They also do lots of drafting to perfect their documents. The chapter also talks about how to draw inferences, select a person, verb mood, using active or passive voice and using plain language. This chapter is really helpful with infromation about how to write a document.
The writing process is developmental, organizational, and sequential. Although personally my writing process is three steps forward and then two steps back, it is important to constantly review, edit, and revise a document through a series of draft stages until the document is refined into clear and accurate points. It's essential to not skip the editing process. I may add a word and then remove an entire paragraph in a rough draft to make my document tight and concise. Peer revisions are a great tool for eliminating errors and removing bias and wordiness. Also i feel like peers give better feedback because I usually take constructive criticism more seriously from someone I know.
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