On Writing as a Fundamental Human Habit
For me, writing is not just a lifestyle or a method of operating instructions as Chee and Le Guin respectively suggest, but it is more than those concepts. Sure, one can actively pursue a lifestyle where one writes constantly, and writing is a fundamental method of communication, but the two are intricately connected and are unified by one thing: our human condition. I agree with Le Guin that literacy is the best manual we have for operating within daily life, but I feel that notion almost degrades writing as something we must do. Instead, I feel that writing is something we should want to do as social creatures, just as one may crave the company of others or someone to talk to. I understand that for many writing is hard, and there is a real struggle with connecting thoughts to words. In addition, writing is personal and it makes us vulnerable, but therein lies the inherent beauty. Speech with others also is vulnerable, but it is fleeting such that it is up to the mind to record it; writing almost always cements our thoughts and ideas in permanency. But if we as people can accept our writing as imperfect, as we all are, perhaps it can degrade those barriers of doubt and vulnerability. While some have a talent, as Chee points out, talent is promise, not product. Even those with natural talent must hone their skill. By repetition and dedication, talent and skill can be nurtured and developed, even for those who struggle the most. This can be done by cultivating knowledge, and in teaching, I think it is important to point out that if one can think, if one can recall, then regardless of gender, ethnicity, or social class, writing is possible, as Christensen highlights in her introduction. In the digital age, humans are writing more than they ever have in history, and so I believe that with time, critical discussion and with effective pedagogy, the collective mindset towards writing will change from word wizardry to an innate skill that comes as easily as breathing.
You make a lot of very interesting points. I agree that for many students writing is something that they "must" do. Whether it be to complete an assignment or to meet a standard, I find that many students write because they are required to, which often takes away the joy and meaning of writing. The key to creating students that value writing as not only a form of communication but also part of a lifestyle is to have the students write about things that interest them. Similarly to reading about topics that interest students, the only way to get students to love to write is to have them write about things that they love.
ReplyDeleteI like your write up on accepting our writing as imperfect, and continuous nurture,develops our skill in writing. It becomes better, so it is for our students. As Sarah commented, making students write because teachers want them to, takes the joy off it, but linking the importance of them writing to their own personal life, what they think and experience makes them creative. Le Guin points that out in her writing. She says that imagination brings about ideas and creativity, and the more it is nurtured, it becomes “home”.
ReplyDeleteYou've made a lot of excellent points, one point in particular that I would like to comment on is when you brought up how "writing as something we must do. Instead, I feel that writing is something we should want to". I completly agree with that statement and personally I think that the way our school systems are set up many students will view writing as a chore. When students are forced to write about topics and subjects they do not find interesting it can diminish the most enjoyable parts of writing. For the longest time I absolutely hated writing, it wasn't until my senior year of high school when I was given the option to write about subjects I chose that I began enjoying it a bit more. I found myself relating to the points you brought, personally I know that I completely struggle to turn my thoughts into words. I also know that I dislike sharing my own writing as I hate feeling vulnerable.
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