blog 8

Usually, I really prefer the articles in WTL as opposed to Smith's WW, but this week I can not say that's true. I really enjoyed Smith's chapter and was quite confused by Hartwell's essay on grammar. Was I the only one who didn't totally get everything Hartwell was talking about with all her diagrams and such? I like the definitions that were offered and I do agree with Hartwell's point that grammar is basically a counterintuitive process of our minds. I understand the argument against teaching grammar-one point being that it does not improve students' writing, but don't the conventions of grammar still need to be taught at some point? I didn't realize the teaching of grammar was such a hot topic in the writing world, and both sides brought out good points to defend their side. I'll have to think about this some more because I'm not quite sure where I stand on this issue.

I really liked Smith's chapter and found it very easy to read. I heard the phrase 'read like a writer' before but never completely understood what that phrse encompasses. Now I do. I thought it was great that Smith refers to this as a type of collaborative learning, and indeed it is. I never thought about how much we learn about writing just from reading other writers works. And as an avid reader, I really appreciated and agreed with Smith's point that reading is the essential source of knowledge about writing. Smith said that authors have a tremendous advantage over teachers because they can teach at the writer's speed and ways that can't be instructed from another person. I think this is a great observation. Smith brings in the quote "Writing is learned rather than taught, and learning to write is a recursive process rather than a linear one" (215). I think if all teachers understood this idea, teaching writing would be a more enjoyable experience for all involved. My other favorite quote from the chapter came on page 196 when Smith said "the basis of learning to write is inventiveness, manifested through sensitivity in reading and experimentation in writing." What a great philosophy on writing! I don't think it could have been said any more concisely or meaningfully than how Smith words it. Smith makes such obvious statements and observations about the process of writing and teaching writing that it makes you wonder how so many teachers can do it wrong?!