Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Blog #7
I was pleasantly surprised by the content and overall message of Sondra Perl’s “Understanding Composing.” In the article, she explains that after observing a variety of writers, a certain thought process became evident that is continually present within composition. It is necessary to consider the idea that writing is not a specific, formulaic process - such as plan/write/revise - in order to comprehend the proposed processes that simultaneously exist while writing. Writing exhibits the inclusion of all extraneous thoughts and ideas, making it nearly impossible to totally isolate thoughts pertaining to the writing topic. Recursiveness within the composition process is exhibited by consistent revision of discourse, recollection of intent for further explication, and through what is called the “felt sense.” The chosen topic may evoke a sense and elicit a response from within the body, therefore creating a step toward gaining momentum and propelling writing. It informs the writer of “where one is and what one needs to do” by a recollection of “images, words, and concepts and careful attention to inner reflections and bodily sensations.” Paying attention is therefore critical to the process of “retrospective structuring” or recalling the felt sense. “Projective structuring” considers the intelligible formation and construction of the composition for the reader/audience. However, some focus solely on this process which in turn excludes the felt sense because of intentional writing or composing on behalf of the expectations of others. Perl suggests that the process of composing incorporates both of these forms of structuring and is specific to the individual writer. This article was extremely interesting and thought provoking, particularly with regard to the psychological elements of writing and reasons why the creative process exhibits fluidity. I connected the ideas within the article to the process of writing this blog, and also considered previous writing experiences. Being aware of these processes undoubtedly furthers understanding and fosters development of writing for the future.
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Your response to Perl's article is detailed and thought provoking. Certain points that you make in your response, are ones that I did not receive as I was reading her article. Especially the point in which you say that "writing exhibits the inclusion of all extraneous thoughts and ideas, making it nearly impossible to totally isolate thoughts pertaining to the writing topic" this is a very sophisticated as well as beneficial way to look at the writing process. I also agree with your thoughts on the "felt sense" When a writer is faced with a topic, it undoubtedly evokes a certain response which then becomes the driving force for composing.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to read your post because it made me consider another part of felt sense that I had not dissected. When I thought about felt sense I only considered how it seemed to interrupt my composition and flow. After reading your post, I thought about the times when I am struck by an idea and my writing is propelled into a long paragraph instead of a mere few sentences. I felt you had a very detailed response that helped me to recall specific information in the article that I would have forgotten. I do agree that having an awareness of ones felt sense with aid in my future compositions.
ReplyDeleteHi. I think your responses are always great! You did draw out points from Perl's article that I may have overlooked. I agree that awareness of these processes described by Perl are key in composing valuable rhetoric. She demonstrates why and how they are necessary to compose successfully. I did not even think to connect the elements Perl suggests to writing my blog, but I am now very aware of them as I respond and probably will be considering them when I do this homework in the future.
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