In an unpublished essay by Peter Elbow, he discusses his believing game as an approach to life as well as an approach to writing. He challenges readers to try to believe in things, even for a moment, in which they currently do not believe. This is especially true when encountering new ideas.
He challenges his readers to use believing as a tool to test ideas. We often use doubting or skeptical thinking when encountering new ideas. Instead of looking for the "hidden flaws," look for the "hidden virtues" in new ideas and in your papers this week.
As we read our own paper during revision and as we read the work of our peers, take a moment to try to be positive and believe something good about your paper or your writing process. Have confidence in your idea before you being to revise, reword, and rethink your paper.
I believe everyone can learn to write. I believe we all have the potential to do a great job with this paper. Not matter the final grade on your paper, Believe that you are taking great steps in your learning and writing process by working so hard on this paper.
Happy Writing.
Hello Professor,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement. I am really enjoying writing and have discovered, that while not perfect in any way, I am a good writer. I enjoy the process and I am learning so much.
I love peer review time. It opens my eyes and mind to things I have not seen in my paper. I also love to read what others have to say. I really enjoy learning about other people and what makes them tick. My husband and daughters are always teasing me, because when I meet someone new, or see a friend, I'm always asking questions about their 'story'. I really enjoy opening up my mind.
I truly look forward to the revision stage of writing my paper, as it always becomes a different creature. I am hoping to turn in a paper that is worthy of your approval. Thanks so much for your guidance and belief in all of us!
Michelle
Hello Professor,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this blog. I needed this. Recently I have gone through a phase of not believing in anything. There seems to be so much negativity throughout the world. It is so hard to find the positive in the world. It seems like there is no option for failure anymore. Thomas Edison, Tesla, Henry Ford, and George Washington all have histories of failures. My favorite failure of all time is Frank Lloyd Wright's house that his children grew up in. It was a failure then but, is marveled as a success and ahead of its time. Success is usually seen after what they did. The same can be sad about are papers. I have lots of errors to correct and connecting to do for my paper.
James Sposkoski