Berkenkotter and Murray Reading Response

Before You Read

2. When I think about it I find that I do have writing rituals. I always have to take brakes in between writing. It could be a multiple of different things such as, eating, watching TV, internet shopping, taking a nap, etc. I think I have to do this because I cannot focus on things for very long.

Summary

In the reading Berkenkotter uses Murray as a test subject. Berkenkotter is doing a study on the way professional writers write, so others can learn from them. In her study she found that Murray does a lot of planning. She found this out because he spoke aloud into a tape recorder while evaluating his topic. Murray did not complete the paper because he thought there wasn't an audience. Murray replies to Berkenkotter's results by saying he would not want anyone to copy his way of writing because every writer needs to discover their own writing strategies.

Synthesis

The reading was a test on Murray to see how professional/scholarly writers go about writing. Murray did have a down fall, and that was that he didn't complete his work. This is proof to Allen's article that professional writers have problems too. Both articles suggest that everyone can improve.

Questions

1. I thought it was interesting that Murray has his wife type his papers for him. I would totally do that because I'm so lazy! I also found it different that he did lots of planning. I plan myself, but I only plan once. I would like to be like Murray in the way that he has many different plannings on the paper. I would like to revise and add more things while I write.

3. Berkenkotter's thoughts on planning and revision changed so much because Murray does them so different from her. Murray does tons of planning and only calls it planning. Berkenkotter does everything in steps, while Murray does all steps in one, planning.

1. I could definitely be a better writer. I take lots of brakes while writing, this is procrastinating. (Sad Face) I start out good by doing research early on, but then totally forget about the project until two or three days before its due. I usually research, then highlight and do my planning while highlighting, then I just write from top to bottom. I usually have my "smart at English friend" review and help me revise. My writing experience isn't very broad. I haven't done very many different writing assignments. I think my level of experience affects my writing habits because in high school the teachers were more lenient and I took advantage of that.

MM. I kind of have a concept map for my planning. I would love to go more in dept with my planning like Murray does, but still stick with separated steps like Berkenkotter.

Thoughts

I thought this reading was very interesting. I liked seeing how professionals write and comparing myself to them. I agree with Murray when he says everyone needs to find their own writing strategies, but I think to find your own way you must first try new things (a.k.a. copying others strategies). I also think its funny when he calls himself a "laboratory rat!" Hahahahaaa..