Self-Appraisal for Your Own Writing Process

A. What are the last four things you have written (excluding short notes), and who read them?

1. Corporate review of my company – my lawyer
2. A self-made myth on the origins of death – my wife, kids, and the INO 501 professor
3. Learning autobiography for INO 501 – INO 501 class
4. Learning experience post on my blog for INO 501 – INO 501 professor

B. In general, how do you feel about writing?

I love writing and feel that I do it well.

C. Do you find it easy to write papers that say what you wanted them to say ? In practical terms, is writing a relatively efficient process for you in which your time is in proportion to your intentions?

I do find it relatively easy to express myself in writing. Writing is a relatively efficient process
for me, more efficient than speaking most of the time.

D. How many hours did you spend writing (including drafting, writing, revising) the last three papers you did? Give the number of hours and number of pages written. Is this "normal" for you?

Piece #1: Corporate review of my company – my lawyer
Hours: 4
Pages: 9
Comments: Slower than usual – required a bit of research

Piece #2: A self-made myth on the origins of death – my wife, kids, and the INO 501 professor
Hours: 0.5
Pages: 1
Comments: Normal

Piece #3: Learning autobiography for INO 501 – INO 501 class
Hours: 10
Pages: 13
Comments: Slower than usual

Piece #4: Learning experience post on my blog for INO 501 – INO 501 professor
Hours: 0.25
Pages: 1
Comments: Normal

E. Do you generally try to write a piece in one sitting from the beginning, or do you work on sections separately and at various times?

Both ways work, depending on what I’m about to write. For pieces with a single underlying theme, the inspiration is usually the drive, so I write them in one sitting; this applies to shorter as well as longer pieces. For pieces that address multiple subjects, I work first on a general outline, and then develop each section separately; frequently I return to the sections that have been already completed.

F. Do you generally end up having to do the actual writing of papers under pressure - that is, under a tight time constraint?

No. That does happen sometimes, but I’m trying most of the time to do the work earlier and not under the looming deadline.

G. When you think of having to write a paper, what are the main things that come to mind for you?

An enjoyment of writing is the first thing that comes to mind. The other is a concern to express myself in a way that people would understand what I was trying to say.

H. Are any of these problems ones you frequently have?

1. Getting started:

Getting the whole paper ordered in your head before you write
Getting a beginning paragraph
Getting a first sentence
Sitting down to write - YES
Turning on the flow of creative ideas

2. Organizing what you know into a paper:

Finding a main idea of thesis that fits in 4 the things you have to say
Turning an outline or sketch into a fleshed-out, proper paper with sentences and paragraphs
Turning lots of good ideas into an outline - YES
Writing a formal paper when you know you could explain it easily if you could just talk to the person

3. Writing for an audience:

Knowing what your reader really wants - YES
Finding that readers miss the important things you thought were clearly stated - YES
Finding that, upon rereading your writing, you don't
understand it in the same way you did when you wrote it

4. Controlling the circumstances under which you write:

Trying to concentrate with noise and activity around you (the TV, stereo, friends, family, etc.) - YES
Writing when you feel tired or sleepy instead of during the most alert part of your day - YES
Being inadequately prepared (you haven't had time to think the problem through before you start to compose)
Having no time (or less than a day) to let the paper sit between writing and editing it

I. Do you have any "rituals" that help you get in the mood to write?

Yes. I open a new document in word, put few words in it, and leave it open while doing something else. This way I create a stronger sense of anticipation.

J. What are your hopes and fears about writing?

The hopes are that it will leave traces in the hearts and minds of the audience. The main fear is that the audience will not understand my intent correctly.

K. Once you have completed questions A through J, read over your responses. Try to define as perceptively as you can three major problems you have in writing. Then, develop a practical plan for solving that problem.

1. Problem: Ensuring the understanding of the intent by the audience.

Plan for Solving the Problem: (1) Re-read all pieces trying to look at them through the
eyes of the intended audience. (2) Whenever possible, have somebody else, a “proxy”
of the intended audience, to read the piece before it’s released.

2. Problem: Grammar and word usage – as a non-native English speaker, I frequently commit certain grammar and usage mistakes.

Plan for Solving the Problem: (1) Identify the most common mistakes I make and try to them. (2) Use Google more frequently to look for grammar and usage examples.

3. Problem: Distractions during the normal waking hours, and as a result – the necessity to
write during the night.

Plan for Solving the Problem: Try and dedicate one hour each day in the morning for the
most important writing pieces.

L. What additional questions do you have about writing? How can you use the resources of the class, and university to answer those questions?

The best way I see is the possibility to engage the classmates in the review of what I write.