Posted on December 7, 2020, by Sarah

Writing is one of the most important things to learn. In elementary school, we first learn the alphabet, pronounce the letter, and write it. By using these strategies, it becomes easier for children to learn how to read and write. After that, we learn different concepts of writing. We need writing for different types of things like letters, essays, and many other writing types. Elizabeth Wardle wrote, “ You Can Learn To Write In General.” It is a bad idea that makes people think that they can write in general without a specific subject. That idea is frustrating; many people like students and even teachers. There are various solutions to solve that particular problem.

“A better conception of writing is one in which we all remember (realistically) our own experiences learning to write in different situations, and then apply that memory to our expectations of what we and others are capable of achieving.” (Elizabeth Wardle. Bad Ideas About Writing. Pg. 31). The solution is that people should understand that writing, in general, is impossible and that there are different types of writings. There are various types of writing situations like essays, reports, letters, etc. That’s why people can’t write in general. If people grow that mindset, it’ll be less complicated for them to learn to write or improve their writing. I agree with what she’s saying because it exists different writing situations with a particular subject. No one can write in general, not even teachers. People should know and understand the concept of writing the author is talking about. It is a better idea. Another author Elbow Peter talks about a solution. “Writing is a two-step process. First, you figure out your meaning, and then you put it into language.” (Elbow, Peter. Writing Without Teachers.).  The author is saying that there is an easy process that can help people to write. First, they should think about what they want to write about and its meaning,  then start writing. That solution can help people believe that writing, in general, is not possible and that an author should plan his writing and think about what they want to write about. We should comprehend the writing process, understand the writing steps. It will be easier for the writer to improve its writing and know that we can’t write in general.

Many people think that students learn the write in general, which is not possible. We can learn about the different concepts of writing. “The idea that we can all learn to “write-in general” is not just a harmless myth. It’s a dangerous idea that needs to die because it hurts students and frustrates teachers and employers. And writers who believe it are easily discouraged because they don’t know how to learn what they need to learn in new writing situations.” (Elizabeth Wardle. Bad Ideas About Writing. Pg. 31). Elizabeth Wardle says that it is impossible to write in general, and people should be aware of that. Teachers are frustrated because they’re unable to teach their students to write in general, and students are affected by that because they may think they’re unable to learn. People always have a particular reason or subject to write. For example, when teachers ask students to do essays, they still have a subject, particularly the class they’re taking. Even at work, it’s the same situation employers write reports about specific documents. People should know and understand that writing doesn’t exist; writing is always about something. Writers should not be frustrated because it is impossible.  “But people want to believe that it’s possible to write in general because this belief makes writing seem less difficult and allows them to believe that writers can get a one-time writing inoculation that will extend across all settings.”(Elizabeth Wardle. Bad Ideas About Writing. Pg. 31). She is also saying that it makes people believe that writing in general’ myth makes it easier for people. It is not correct because considering that writing is possible makes it harder for people to write. That’s why it is a bad idea.

A better idea is to know the concepts of writing and the writing process. People should be aware of the different types of writing. As Wardle said, writing, in general, is a myth because no one can do so; papers should be organized, planned, and should have a specific idea on what it should talk about. If we understand that fact, it’ll be easier for writers to write and improve their work.

Work cited

Elbow, Peter. Writing Without Teachers, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1998. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/gsu/detail.action?docID=516289.

Textbooks.lib.wvu.edu. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://textbooks.lib.wvu.edu/badideas/badideasaboutwriting-book.pdf> [Accessed 5 November 2020].