Week 4

          This week’s reading in the Bedford Guide (chapter 4) was full of wonderful suggestions for helping writers through all stages of the writing process. It is so easy to think that what is helpful for me when I’m writing will be helpful for other writers too. I’ve found that that’s not always the case. For example, I would never use clustering as a brainstorming or organizing tool. It’s just not the way that my brain works. However, I’ve worked with classmates that love to explore topics that way and even use a cluster diagram as their outline. It’s important to recognize that every writer’s process is a little different and it’s guaranteed that my strategies won’t always work for other people. My process is just one of many that are effective for different kinds of people. Chapter four demonstrated some prewriting, writing, and revising strategies that I wouldn’t generally use, so it added a lot to my “toolbox.” I feel better prepared to help different kinds of writers and thinkers through the writing process.

             I also loved “Provocative Revision.” I’m an English teaching major, so I couldn’t help but look ahead to when I can have students try some of Fulwiler’s revision exercises. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait until I have a classroom. I can help writers employ these exciting revision strategies right now in the writing center. I found the section on limiting to be the most helpful. Focusing in on specifics can transform an average or directionless paper into something attention-grabbing and purposeful. Some of Fulwiler’s other suggestions wouldn’t be appropriate for the writing center. I wouldn’t advise a writer to transform their piece into another genre unless that was their assignment. It is just too risky. Most professors have very specific ideas of what they want an assignment to look like and would not be happy to receive a diary entry when they were expecting a research paper.

             I do agree with Fulwiler on the importance of provoking revision. Most writers view revision as an optional and unnecessary step or something to do only for portfolios and other big projects. Type and print is the most common practice, so writers really do need to be reminded of the importance of revision. I feel like one of my responsibilities as a consultant is to help writers see the value in revision and help them think through specific strategies for how to do it. So although I may not employ all of Fulwiler’s revision exercises, I will take up his challenge of prompting writers to “re-view” their work.

As a funny side note, I actually dreamed about the writing center this week. The center had gotten so busy and popular that we expanded the consultation areas into the entire waiting/front desk area. It was a maze of cubicles and there were signs directing people to the front desk. The writing center had become a writing center factory. Although my dream was pretty absurd, it made me realize how glad I am that the writing center is a unique, welcoming place where writers can get individualized assistance. We really do have a great service that cares for students as individuals.