Slides week 2: Writing as Thinking

1. Writing as Thinking
Demystifying writing
106: Intro Dr. Daniel Feldman

2. Writing Blurbs
• Writing and thinking and
learning are the same
process.

3. Writing as Thought
• Writing is thinking on paper. Anyone who
thinks clearly should be able to write clearly—
about any subject at all.
• Contrary to general belief, writing isn’t
something that only “writers” do; writing is a
basic skill for getting through life. Yet most
adults are terrified of the prospect.

4. Writing as Thought
• Writing organizes and clarifies our thoughts.
Writing is how we think our way into a subject
and make it our own. Writing enables us to
find out what we know—and what we don’t
know—about whatever we’re trying to learn

5. Writing as Thought
• Clear writing is the logical
arrangement of thought.
• We write to find out what we
know and what we want to
say.
• How often [has] the act of
writing even the simplest
document—a letter, for
instance—clarified my halfformed ideas.

6. Structure
Writing
Style
Style
Research

7. Writing Assignment
• Bill Deresiewicz: Facebook and social media
corrupt the institution of friendship.
• Deresiewicz is... correct, wrong, justified,
misguided, paranoid, out of touch,
perceptive.
• In a well-reasoned, brief essay, state and
support your opinion of Bill D's argument. You
may refer to or disregard the actual essay.

8. Wednesday
1.Peer editing
2.Discussion of Joyce's "An Encounter"
A. What do we look for when we "encounter" a text?
B. What is the story about?
3. Preparation for group assignments next week