“Writer” by Hannah Ollinger. Unsplash

While writers seem to have a good perception of what’s good or bad writing for them, it was not always like that. One might think that writers know how to write good in the first place, however they too struggled to get to the point to where they are now. It does not matter if someone is a writer or not, at some point in their life people will write essays, research papers, poems, and other writings that they have to know for who and what they are writing for to reach a certain point.

There are many ideas about writing that in the book, Bad Ideas about Writing author Elizabeth Wardle mentions one misconception about how no one can learn to write in general. The title of her essay, in which she opposes the idea is “You Can Learn to Write in General.” 

“Audience” by Alexandre Pellaes. Unsplash

In other words, Elizabeth is trying to prove that writing is not general by explaining that writing is very broad meaning that there are various types of writing that one can write. However, each writing has a different purpose to reach a certain audience. In letting the idea go that writing is easy, Wardle tells the use of writing is to improve. In order to grow as a writer, Wardle suggests that the better idea is to give time and effort to engage in several types of writing so we can learn. 

Usually when we write, we mostly think about how one should write or structure the paper. A scenario Elizabeth Wardle uses is imagining writing with nothing in mind, which she claims that we cannot do it as writing has a certain purpose (Wardle 30). In order to write one must know what includes in writing, in which Elizabeth implies, “This is because context, audience, purpose, medium, history, and values of the community all impact what writing is and needs to be in each situation” (Wardle 30). If we put all these requirements into our paper, then we have a clear idea what our paper is supposed to be but no. The situation is what type of writing are we supposed to use to in order to reach a goal, claim or purpose in that writing. In figuring out what specific writing we will be writing, then we can apply those other skills or elements we will be using to support and define what the writer is trying to say.  

“Learning” by NeONBRAND. Unsplash.

Despite knowing the different types of writing we should use, do not expect writing will be easy just because we know what each writing is for. Elizabeth Wardle states, “A better notion of how writing works is one that recognizes that after learning scribal skills (letters, basic grammatical constructions), everything a writer does is impacted by the situation in which she is writing” (Wardle 31). Even though we are applying many concepts into writing, it does not mean each writing will involve all the same elements. There are many types of writing that not all elements will be included in the writing, which makes it difficult for people to have their own writing style. In thinking that every writing is just the same is wrong as Elizabeth argues that writing is all about learning and finding new experiences so one can explore many types of writing.  

In knowing that each writing is not the same, Elizabeth provides the idea of improving one’s writing based on the article Elon Statement on Writing Transfer. In the article, Elon University researchers correlate transfer and writing by stating “Writers consistently draw on prior knowledge in order to navigate within and among various contexts for writing and learning” (Elon University). By practicing and taking advantage of what one knew before and applying old and new skills into writing can help establish a good paper. Not only that, as the skills are set to prepare people to build up their own knowledge and communication in their writing using metacognition (Elon University). In setting forth the idea of experiencing new things will help the mind learn more about writing.  

“Skills” by UX Indonesia. Unsplash.

Overall, in order to improve one’s writing, one must know that writing is not in general. Elizabeth Wardle repeatedly says each writing has a unique way of setting for their purpose. In talking about transfer, Wardle, and Elon University sets that there are many skills in order to focus and consider trying to use it in our writing. This is what makes a good writer; we must experience and learn what writing is supposed to be and how it is written in various kinds of writing. 

Works Cited 

Wardle, Elizabeth “You Can Learn to Write in General” Bad Ideas About Writing. Edited by Cheryl E. Ball and Drew M. Loewe, West Virginia University Libraries, 2017, pgs. 30-33 

“Elon Statement on Writing Transfer.” Center for Engaged Learning, May 22, 2014. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/elon-statement-on-writing-transfer/