The theory of writing is not just a simple answer that anyone is able to answer out of the top of their head. I believe it is something you must discover within yourself. I returned to the times of writing in my dining room with a hot cup of coffee to my left and tried to figure out the root of my method of writing. I come to realize every time I write it is during inspirational moments. Every time I say to myself, “I will do it and can do it” I get motivated. Every time I read an article related to the type of writing I am working on, I get inspired to begin. I must admit, Writing was never easy for me when I was in high school. After discovering free writing and being comfortable to write how I feel, or what I believe is the correct response, I have a whole new attitude towards English. I believe that in order to write a good paper or even start, it requires an inspirational drive whether it comes from yourself or others.
After sifting through my reflections, and just thinking about all those nights of writing, it gave me reassurance on what my actual thought process was or how I felt during these assignments. It was very strange to look back at those moments since normally we tend to write papers, then forget about them once submitted but the reflections forced us in a positive way to think about the assignment, its content, purpose, and why it was written the way it was. The applications of what we learned in class and how I used them was very significant because I was introduced to them thoroughly this year for the first time. I have discovered that in order for write, I must feel inspirational or motivated at the moment or get myself in the mindset, whether it’s looking at examples for reassurance or reading through articles that pertain to what writing we are doing in class.
I never became introduced to the rhetorical devices; audience, author, language, tone, genre, and purpose, until this year. These devices definitely made me write in a whole new way since now I know for sure why I am writing the way I am and I am able to apply my writing to certain audiences and attract those audiences using the rest of the devices. It is very significant to write with a purpose because the readers need to know, why this piece of literature written. Is it to persuade the reader? Is it to inform the reader about an event or subject? Or is it to make the reader feel a certain way? Tone is also a very important attribute in writing. The tone determines how the reader will interpret your writing. If you write in an informal tone, younger readers may feel a stronger connection than older adults since young adults are used to reading in an informal style of writing. This also connects with who your audience will be. For example, In my inquiry based research paper, I focused on an audience who is against animal experimentation and testing, therefore I made sure to include statements that those in contrast of animal experimentation would agree with.
Also, I recently discovered the power of genre. When reading two articles, both having distinct genres of the same topic, I noticed that it gave a different feeling to me, the reader. They both were different genres but still gave the same message. Those articles were very inspiring to me and they motivated me further to write my two-genre composition. I used the genres poster and advertisement in order to send the message of avoiding products using animal experimentation. My poster genre sent a powerful message of what is behind the product and the advertisement, advertised a pill but the pill had negative effects and was made using animal experimentation. I learned that I can use any genre and deliver the same message, depending on what audience I want to reach.
When writing my source-based essay, I drove myself to my local library, had my articles printed out, packed water and snacks, had extra loose-leaf and freshly sharpened pencils. I sat down in the library at a cozy area with a desk that had an outlet for my computer. When I looked around me, everyone was being productive, and it inspired me so much that I finished the essay that same day. Of course, I was in the library all day but I never got distracted or felt less motivated while writing that paper. It was the first time I can remember where I formulated an outline and followed it correctly without getting a headache if I changed up my order or steps. During my stay at the library, I felt so content and satisfied with myself after. Reflecting on it now, feeling inspired drove me to finish that paper with a good grade.
To me, sitting down and writing a paper for hours is challenging for so many reasons. If I am not interested in the type of writing I tend to not do my paper until the last minute and the only inspiration I find is the clock ticking as the due time gets closer. It drives me into pressure and yes, I produced a finished paper, but it may or may not be my best work at all. For example, the process of my inquiry-based essay began a bit rocky. I couldn’t understand it that well but I tried so hard to understand the concept. I eventually did but since I did not enjoy writing it that entire time, it was not my best work. I felt extremely unmotivated and just wanted to sit up and walk around while writing it. My sources were organized but during the process I was Scavenging through sources trying to figure out what is most appropriate for my claim was exhausting.
I figured out that in order to feel inspired I must manipulate my surroundings. For example, for the two-composition genre, in order to stimulate my creativity, I went to the architecture building and started drawings sketches to see what I wanted to portray and how it would look like. I felt really inspired due to the environment I was in. This assignment was also very interested therefore it helped me want to look for the inspiration. I found that when I used the rhetorical devices, I manipulated the way my writing was portrayed.
In class, we would do peer reviews of first drafts of assignments usually. Peer reviews help me tremendously because my partner always gives me suggestions and gets me excited about continuing working on pieces. The ideas my partner bounces off inspires me to keep improving. Another creativity stimulation activity would be free writing exercises. These activities help not only have creativity flowing, it helps brainstorm ideas well. These different strategies allow me to feel inspired every time I write and I feel that this is my final theory of writing.
-Nathaly Castillo
