Blog 6

I was truly shocked about the struggles that most writers go through. I know for me and my worst essays I will stare at a blank screen, get distracted by my phone, give up and then eventually throw a bunch of words on a page. I figured that other writers went through drafts and writer’s block, but I also thought that they didn’t experience the days where they want to do anything but write. It was reassuring reading about the process she went through, and I can relate to creating a “Shitty First Draft.” The major difference between her process and mine, is I often hate revising my work. Once I finish, there are some essays that I never want to revisit, and others that I just revise my grammar and spelling. I have never really gone back to remove large parts, add new ideas and completely revamp my work in that way.

My goal is to ensure that my text clearly relates by to my thesis and the prompt about metaphors and their impact on health.

1. Connect quotes to thesis earlier.
   • There are a few places in my essay in which I don’t address health until the very end of my paragraph. I am going to work with my text in order to include this earlier. I can move some of my statements before the quotes and then further elaborate before and after the quote.
2. Clarify my language.
   • I will revise the wording that I have chosen throughout my text to ensure that I am communicating my ideas in a clearer manner. I will alter how I have introduced Erard and Khullar, change some of my transition between paragraphs, and build onto my thesis to create a very clear argument.
3. Elaborate on quotes.
   • I touch on the military metaphors; however, I do not explain much context. I will work with my text and Khullar’s in order to explain the importance of these comparisons.
4. Fix grammar.
   • I have always struggled with grammar and spelling. As the final step in my revision process, I will read my text out loud and fix the conventional issues of the piece.

My biggest challenge will be connecting my opinions to the prompt. After I have read through my pieces a few times I tend to get really bored, and struggle to have the motivation to finish my revisions. I will have to work really hard to stay focused and come up with informative elaborations that are not extremely repetitive.

If I come across a road block while revising my paper, I will look through the peer review notes on guidance and if that doesn’t help, I will ask my friends both in and out of class to read through my paper and give me advice or different angles to try. If I am struggling with repetition, I will go to a thesaurus to find some vocabulary that will spark an idea.