The bad idea is that some people are born good writers, the author’s Jill Parrott and David Bartholomae present what they think a better idea is: to become a better writer, one must build skills, adapt, and have the persistence to improve. The author Jill Parrott addresses this bad idea, in the book Bad Ideas About Writing, by explaining that there are numerous ways writers can improve their writing and not be discouraged about it. David Bartholomae also addresses this bad idea in his article “Inventing the University” fixating on how students need to learn the conventions of writing to make their writing clear and understandable for the audience.

Graham, Scott. (2015). Man writing on paper- Vivid 2015. 2015 Photography by Scott Graham

In Parrott’s article “Some People Are Born Good Writers,” she explains her reasoning behind writers being made and not born in many ways. One of the most significant is that “Persistence emphasizes that experience is more powerful than unchangeable ability, and challenges help move writers forward rather than delaying their progress.” (Parrott 73). Here she is stating that for one to improve their writing, being persistent is the key. By putting in the work, constantly going overwork, and trying to improve will help the writer know what mistakes not to make in the future. The more practice they put in the better outcome they will have in their work. They also must be able to take past mistakes made in their work, whether good or bad, and build on them to keep improving. The more practice the writer puts in, the more improved progress they will see in their future work. When writers continue to be persistent, they start to build habits and a writing process making changes to it depending on if the process is helping them or needs improvement. To stray from the bad idea that “Some People Are Born Good Writers” writers must build a process that helps them best.

p_ponomareva. (2017). Sad and tired pre-teen schoolboy sitting in stress- Vivid 2017. 2017 Photography by p_ponomareva.

          When the author David Bartholomae states that college students need to start “Inventing the University” he suggests that when in an academic setting students need to adapt to speaking and writing a certain way and if they cannot adapt, they should pretend. Meaning if they wish to become a scholar and converse with other scholars that they must copy them until it becomes natural to them. Some students find it hard to develop new ways of speaking and writing in an academic setting. Bartholomae states that “These students have to appropriate (or be appropriated by) a specialized discourse, and they have to do this as though they were easily and comfortably one with their audience…”. (Bartholomae 4). He explains that students write for their professors when in fact students must understand that their professor is part of the audience they are writing for. When students are beginner writers or even after they have been writing for some time being able to learn who the audience is and what background or discourse, they come from is important. This helps them so when they are writing about a subject, they’re able to make connections to the audience and help them understand the topic and where the audience is coming from. Knowing this will help improve a writer’s work and have fewer mistakes.

In conclusion, the bad idea “Some People Are Born Good Writers” shouldn’t stop inexperienced writers from writing or attempting to improve their writing skills. Those who stick to the mindset of some people are just born good writers will only be discouraged from improving their work. Inexperienced writers who want to become better writers, such as new coming college students, should always seek improvements. By adapting, building writing skills, and being persistent to improve their writing will help them in staying away from this mindset. Being persistent is only part of being a good writer but figuring out a process that will help them in writing and knowing where the audience is coming from will help with the struggle of becoming a better writer. Also knowing when to voice their thoughts and feelings to catch the reader’s attention makes them more interested in their essay. Doing these things will help improve a writer’s work and aim to be an even greater writer one day. As stated by Parrott in her essay “Good writers are not born. They are learned” (Parrot 74).

Works Cited

• Ball, E. Cheryl; Loewe, M. Drew. Bad Ideas About Writing. Parrott, Jill. “Some People Are Just Born Good Writers”. Pp. 71-75
• Bartholomae, David. “Inventing The University”. Pp 4-23