The following string of messages begins with the instructor’s explanation of the assignment — responding to an assigned reading in one of two specific ways — followed by a few responses of students. Notice how each writer responds personally but sticks to the focus by extending the “thread.” Directions for other discussions might emphasize different ways to extend the thread — for example, responding specifically to a preceding comment, summarizing several comments and adding to them, synthesizing and then advancing ideas, raising a different but relevant line of consideration, comparing or contrasting possible responses, tracing possible causes and effects, or other paths that apply your critical thinking skills.

STUDENT ONLINE THREADED DISCUSSION

Instructor Kathleen Beauchene and Students Cristina Berrios, Joshua Tefft, Leah Threats, Arthur Wasilewski, and Joel Torres

Discussion of Writing Processes

Message no. 2706

Author: Kathleen Beauchene (ENGL1010_600_Beauchene)

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2:37pm

In the attached file, you will read about one author’s writing process. In your post, you may either comment on a point he makes or share your own writing process, what works or doesn’t work for you.

Message no. 2707

Author: Cristina Berrios

Date: Saturday, October 10, 4:02pm

I find that the author’s writing process is similar in many ways to how most write, but I do not always have time to write and rewrite and organize and write and so on. … Of course I can see if you are a professional writer rewriting and making sure that your work can be produced to sell, but in my eyes I only need to make sure that my story is interesting, consecutive and progressive, and grammatically correct to the best of my ability. … Luckily I work in an office where I can interact closely with colleagues who are willing to listen to my “draft” (some of them are college students as well) and give me feedback.

Message no. 2708

Author: Joshua Tefft

Date: Saturday, October 10, 4:43pm

My writing process, like most people’s, is similar to what the author does, given I have a lot of time anyway. I really have trouble with not erasing initial drafts, that is, incomplete drafts. I always find myself too critical of my work before it is anywhere near the final stages. But I’ve begun to learn to receive outside criticism before I put my own on it; this usually gives me a more open-minded perspective on my writing. But I’ve realized it’s a long process to get the results one wants.

Message no. 2709

Author: Leah Threats

Date: Saturday, October 10, 11:49pm

My writing process includes a lot of thought process before I go anywhere near writing a first draft. Then I begin to write and reread it a few times while in the first paragraph, change wording, cut and paste all over the paper. Then I will move on to the middle of the paper, make sure my introduction has enough to it, and the mid section is full of “beef.” Then in the ending, I try to make sure I don’t leave the writer thinking, What else? … I do take the time to make sure I am not shortchanging my reader. As a person who LOVES to read, I want to be able to draw the reader into whatever it is I am writing to them.

Message no. 2711

Author: Arthur Wasilewski

Date: Sunday, October 11, 1:41pm

I approach the writing process with a shoot-from-the hip mentality. Whatever comes to my head first is usually the right idea. I’ll think about the idea throughout the whole day or week, and transcribe it to paper after I’ve gone through a few mental iterations of my original idea.

Message no. 2713

Author: Joel Torres

Date: Sunday, October 11, 8:21pm

After reading this attachment I realize there are some things I sort of start to do in my own writing process, but stop halfway or do not go through thoroughly. I have used the outline idea from time to time. I should go into more depth and organize the ideas in my papers better in the future though. The whole concept of sleeping between drafts does not sit well with me. I find that when I sit down and write a paper, it is best when I dedicate a couple of hours and get into the “zone” and let the ideas flow through me. If the paper is a research paper, I usually do best when I type it directly onto a word processor. When the assignment is an essay or something along the lines of a written argument or a literary work, I like to handwrite and then go back and type it after. Distractions for me are a huge issue; TV, other Web sites, and just lack of focus definitely hurt my writing and are obstacles I must overcome every time a written assignment is due.

Questions to Start You Thinking

Meaning

Writing Strategies