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].

Writing is an ability that requires a certain level of aptitude. However, writers are not a select group of natural-born, talented individuals. By viewing writers with this perspective, people can feel unqualified and incapable of becoming good writers. The quality of a writer’s work relies on the process of writing just as much as it does on the skill level or writing ability of the writer. Jill Parrott, the author of the essay, “Some People Are Just Born Good Writers,” believes that a particular writing talent level does not restrict people. She explains that a writer can improve their level of skill by discovering the strategies that reflect their own strengths and weaknesses. Author Jeff Goins also believes that anyone can become a good writer, as long as they have perseverance, and they are open to improvement. A writer of any level can become a good writer by dedicating time to improve their writing abilities and learning.

“Drafting a blog post on a saturday morning” by Wiertz Sébastien is licensed under CC BY 2.0

With the proper approach, confidence, and practice, any individual can achieve their writing goals and avoid a harmful mindset. Jill Parrott, the author of the essay, “Some People Are Just Born Good Writers,” discusses the issues with the concept that good writers are exclusively people who are born with superior writing skills and abilities. One of the main issues with this concept is that writers become hesitant and discouraged about their abilities. However, these attitudes are not merely a result of an individual’s lack of confidence; rather, it can be attributed to the history of writing itself. Since the late 19^th and early 20^th century, American studies focused on the product of writing instead of the process, reinforcing the concept that writing is a skill that certain individuals were just born with. As Parrott describes, “this idea that some people are good writer whiles others are not can be truly crippling to a writer” (Parrott, 74) This mindset can lead writers to have a bad attitude towards their abilities, preventing them from attempting to improve. It is imperative that writers are able to have an open mind and expand their attitudes about their work. This development process is known as metacognition, opening up mental space that allows for self-awareness and reflection. Looking back at their work, revising, and listening to feedback are all qualities that a writer should be able to do. These skills involve a certain level of humility, as opposed to being over-confident or arrogant.

While there are several qualities that pertain to a talented writer, Parrott highlights the significance of persistence as a characteristic of a good writer. She states that “persistence emphasizes that experience is more powerful than unchangeable ability, and challenges help move writers forward rather than delaying their progress” (Parrott, 73) Developing the correct mindset and remaining persistent will allow a writer to significantly improve the quality of their work by refining the writing process. Occupying additional time and effort to re-read, edit, revise, and reflect on work will eliminate errors and result in the highest quality product. In the book “Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing”, Sandra Giles says that “reflection helps you to develop your intentions (purpose), figure out your relation to your audience, uncover possible problems with your individual writing processes, set goals for revision, make decisions about language and style” (Giles)

Persistence also encourages a writer to reflect on their work to discover insight on which areas they can improve. As Jeff Goins mentions in his article “The Difference Between Good Writers & Bad Writers,” the distinctive quality between a good writer and a bad writer is the extent of commitment or perseverance towards their work. A bad writer is unmotivated and often lazy. They do not commit to improving, resulting in an inferior quality of work. Goins states that a writer should “choose to be different. Keep going when others do not. Go the extra mile that most will not take.” (Goins) Although writing depends on talent, it also heavily depends on the amount of work that a writer is willing to do. The amount of time that a writer puts into their work will reflect how good their work is.

Works Cited

Giles, Sandra L. “Reflective Writing and the Revision Process: What Were You Thinking?” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 1, Parlor Press, 2010.

Goins, Jeff. “The Difference Between Good Writers and Bad Writers.” Goins, Writer, 24 Nov. 2014, goinswriter.com/the-difference-between-good-writers-and-bad-writers/.

Parrott, Jill. “Some People Are Just Born Good Writers.” Edited by Cheryl E. Ball and Drew M. Loewe, Bad Ideas About Writing, Digital Publishing Institute: West Virginia University Libraries, 2017, textbooks.lib.wvu.edu. p71-75