My process varies depending on the type of paper I am writing. For academic papers, I usually have to be in silence. I might try to make an outline, but I usually end up changing this as I am writing the paper. In high school, I would always write my paper first and then make the outline. It drove my teachers crazy. I don't like to use longhand anymore. My laptop makes it so much easier to revise because I am constantly changing paragraphs and sentences.
In creative writing, I like to have some music on, but something I have heard a thousand times so I won't be distracted. In all cases, I would rather work at home with all the books I need close at hand. The library seems oppressive to me, and I find myself watching people instead of working. I like to have a big drink of coffee or iced tea or diet dr. pepper depending on my mood, the weather, and how long I am planning to be awake. I almost always sit at my desk with my dog at my feet. I light a candle on my desk. I am not sure why I do this, but it seems to make me less sleepy. This is where I get the most work done.
At this point, I do not really see how I could improve this process. It is the one that has worked for me for about six years. I am an old student.
In the classroom, I think process is so important. Because our students submit most of their work online, they have a great opportunity to set up the atmosphere they like best wherever they are working. They do not usually have to write something in class to turn in for a grade. I hate doing this in school. I can never think my best thoughts in the classroom when I feel like the teacher is staring at me. When I ask the students to write something in class, I try to make sure it stays quiet. Although some of us work best with music or noise, it seems to be the most neutral environment you can create for them at school. I try to encourage my students to do what works for them at home. If they like the TV on, turn it on! If they can't work in the library, don't work in the library. I try to ask them questions about this because many of the students have never even thought about their writing as a process. They do not even consider environment being a factor. It is important to raise these question so they do begin to think about it in this light and consider what works best for them.
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5 comments:
I like that you encourage students to "find" their own processes.
Can you think of ways to try that out in class? I know you hate in class writing, but that's the one place you can SEE them writing....
Or perhaps you can ask them to try out two very specific processes (for instance, I've had a teacher tell me to write ONLY by candle light, etc.)....but it's good to make them try out things, and see what does/doesn't work for them.
I wonder what kind of dog you have...?
It encourages me that you help-teach students how to find the writing style that best suits them. I tried to do this as well. It occurred to me that most of the students had no idea when or where they wrote best--they just write for the grade. I told them if you like the music blaring and you can write well that way, do it.
I had them free write the assignment this week in class. It was a synthesis for thesis statements. I didn't want them to underestimate the task at hand because of the assignment's brevity. I think they learned from having to build on their peers writing.
I like that you need to be comfortable in order to write, too! I love having the laptop, leaning back and being comfortable, and having the candle with the coffee. Somehow, if you are comfortable, your brain feels less constricted. I personally hate writing in class! Maybe it's the weird light, or the fact that there's always a kid next to you that breathes heavily, or maybe it's the fact that you have to write in pencil or something when you're used to typing, but the thoughts just don't seem to be as good. I think it's important for students to realize that writing isn't dependent upon the environment, though. Maybe this can become a block? Maybe this is one I struggle with as well? I dunno. I think it's just purely cognitive science: people learn better when they are in a familiar, comfortable environment, and they are better able to produce effective communication when they are in the same environment.
Hi Landon!
You said something that really caught me here - that you encourage your students to write in whatever way/whatever distractions work for them. I found this interesting - I never considered that I in fact do not do that. I strongly encourage them to remove (all) distractions, and focus focus focus! Now I wonder why, given, like you, I have a pretty "distracted" process myself (complete with dog!)?
I agree that writing in class is difficult. For one thing I cannot write out my papers by hand, because my handwriting is so bad that I can't even read it. I think it's a good idea to encourage students to have their own process in writing. Maybe it's just trial and error for students. I'm sure that's how I learned! But maybe get them to try different things. Different places until they find the right one.
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