First Writing Assignment, Continued

Thanks to Caitie and Phillip for their well argued papers. I think they stimulated a lively discussion.

For Monday I would like those of you who have not posted yet get your papers up. As was suggested in class, I think it would actually work better if people just put their papers up as a comment on this link. That way they will all be in one place and we will be able to navigate the website much more easily.

Writing is very difficult. Even when you know what you want to say it almost never comes out that way on paper the first time around. Of course, you are always able to go back and explain what you meant, but the goal is to be able to express yourself so that the reader can tell what you meant the first time. The skill writing clearly, so that your meaning is not open to question and the reader’s train of thought is not interrupted by awkward phrases is quite rare, that is why it is so valuable. And that is why we will continue to give it so much attention.

For Monday I would like to discuss the memos by Carrie Boone, Nell Knox and Matthew Black. Make sure you have those papers with in class Monday. Read them and see if you agree with my comments on their writing. Ask yourself if you have fallen into any of the same traps or wish to emulate any of thier virtues.

By the way, you feel free to comment on my writing as well.