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How to Grow as a Writer | Rhetoric & Composition | Study Hall
Study Hall
Overview
This video challenges the common belief that writers are either inherently good or bad, arguing instead that writing is a complex set of literacies that can be continuously developed. It encourages viewers to reflect on their diverse writing experiences across school, work, and personal life to identify specific skills for improvement. By understanding writing as a collection of adaptable literacies, individuals can move beyond self-limiting beliefs and embrace their potential for growth as writers.
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Chapters
- People often form fixed beliefs about their writing abilities (good or bad) and fail to update these self-perceptions.
- Believing you're a 'bad writer' can lead to giving up, while believing you're a 'good writer' can halt further learning.
- Writing is not a single skill but a collection of diverse literacies, each with potential for growth.
- Understanding oneself as a writer requires a comprehensive view of past experiences, not just a single label.
Recognizing that writing ability is not fixed helps learners overcome self-doubt and embrace opportunities for improvement, rather than being limited by past experiences or fixed identities.
The speaker uses the example of being passionate about birds; even experts can improve and don't know everything about their subject, just as writers can always grow.
- Literacy extends beyond reading to encompass any knowledge or ability, like computer literacy or even coffee-making skills.
- Each literacy, including writing, is composed of multiple interconnected skills that develop over time.
- Mastery in a literacy is not a final destination; continuous improvement is possible even at advanced levels.
- Different contexts require different reading and writing skills, meaning literacy is fluid and adaptable.
Viewing writing as a set of literacies allows for a more nuanced understanding of one's abilities and identifies specific areas for targeted skill development, rather than a general sense of inadequacy.
Just as reading a scientific report requires different skills than reading historical texts, different writing tasks demand distinct approaches and abilities.
- School writing often simplifies complex skills into formulas, like the five-paragraph essay, which can frustrate learners.
- Focusing solely on formulaic writing can overshadow individual strengths in areas like word choice or sentence clarity.
- External factors like distractions or implicit biases can impact performance in school writing tasks.
- A complex view of school writing acknowledges its limitations and helps release the belief in a single 'correct' way to write.
Understanding the limitations and contextual factors of school writing helps learners detach from potentially negative past experiences and recognize that formulaic writing isn't the only valid form.
Many students struggle with the five-paragraph essay structure because they excel at elements like interesting word choice or clear sentences but not the rigid formula.
- Workplaces often promote specific writing styles or priorities (e.g., short sentences, sales focus, technical jargon) that may not suit all situations.
- Personal writing in everyday life, such as quick notes, complex emails for healthcare, or social media posts, involves sophisticated and varied literacies.
- These diverse writing contexts offer valuable learning opportunities and demonstrate writing's adaptability.
- Reflecting on these varied experiences provides a more accurate picture of one's writing history and capabilities.
Acknowledging the diverse demands of workplace and personal writing reveals the breadth of a person's writing skills, often unrecognized, and highlights the continuous learning that occurs outside formal education.
A 10-word note to a spouse can effectively convey crucial information, location, and needs, demonstrating sophisticated communication and emotional bonding through writing.
- Writing encompasses numerous forms (genres) beyond essays, including emails, texts, and social media posts.
- Writing is a learned skill, not an innate talent, and is subject to continuous practice and improvement.
- Grammar is important for clarity but is not the sole determinant of good writing; dialectical differences exist and are valid.
- Recognizing and valuing diverse language use and writing contexts empowers learners to embrace their unique writing journey.
These core principles provide a framework for understanding writing as an accessible and improvable skill, encouraging learners to value their unique linguistic backgrounds and diverse writing experiences.
Detective Benedict Writerbatch's story illustrates how a past negative experience with grammar-focused feedback can be overcome by recognizing other successful writing contexts, like social media posts and clear emails.
Key takeaways
- Your identity as a writer is not fixed; it's a dynamic collection of skills and experiences.
- Writing is best understood as a set of diverse literacies, each offering opportunities for growth.
- Reflect on all your writing experiences—school, work, and personal—to build a comprehensive understanding of your abilities.
- Don't let past negative writing experiences or rigid formulas define your potential.
- Continuous improvement is possible in writing, regardless of your current perceived skill level.
- Writing skills are learned and practiced, not solely innate talents.
- Value the diversity of writing genres and the different linguistic communities you belong to.
Key terms
LiteracyWriting LiteraciesSelf-PerceptionFive-Paragraph EssayImplicit BiasWriting ContextsGenres of WritingDialectical DifferencesWriterly Growth
Test your understanding
- How can viewing writing as a set of literacies change your approach to improving your skills?
- What are some examples of writing literacies beyond traditional academic writing?
- Why is it important to reflect on diverse writing experiences from school, work, and personal life?
- How can a fixed self-perception as a 'bad writer' hinder your development, and what steps can you take to overcome it?
- In what ways can understanding the concept of 'literacy' help you become a more effective writer?