Assignment 17
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School
University of Maine *
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Course
101
Subject
English
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by JudgeArmadilloMaster1014
Kaylee Whalen
Cameron Barone
English 101
Nov 3, 2023
Breaking the Stigma
Writing is something that we practice every day without realization. It plays a significant role in
our everyday lives with the fundamentals of communication and expression. Writing is integrated into our
everyday lives, through self-reflection, problem-solving, preserving knowledge, work, and professional
life. However, writing is something far more challenging than what meets the eye. It is a skill that must be
taught through instruction and only comes naturally. Reviewing the threshold concepts of “Naming What
We Know”, Dylan B. Dyer’s Concept 1.6 “Writing is not Natural” explains the challenging assumptions
in today's educational landscape. We also analyzed Stephen Bowen's article, "Literacy Tours and Material
Matters: Principles for Studying the Literate Lives of Older Adults," which explored how older
generations engaged in literacy activities. It introduces the idea of studying their ways and using them to
influence today's classroom.
Dyer’s concept highlights that writing is a learned practice and educators should be aware that it
is not an inherent skill. By doing so, they create an environment where all students, regardless of skill
level, have the potential to improve and become proficient writers. This perspective promotes a more
inclusive and equitable approach to writing education, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to
develop their writing skills and succeed in academic and professional settings. Dyer states, “ It’s Useful to
remember that writing is not natural because writers tend to judge their writing process too harshly–.”
(Dyer, 29) The realization of completing something that is not simple alleviates stress and can positively
influence the process. In an everyday classroom, lowering the standard and allowing students the time and
patience to learn, will greatly impact and improve their writing. I Would also like to relate this to
Bartlett’s writing, Performing Critical Generosity in a feminist classroom. The idea is that an instructor
should be susceptible to different environments and students in the academic world. Applying feminist
pedagogy maintains power in the classroom, which balances out the trust and respect between teacher and
student.
Making an effort to make students feel comfortable in different writing situations, in return
leaving the student with a higher chance of succession. Understanding that writing is not a natural
performance, gives students the opportunity and time to grasp the concepts fully.
The concept that writing is not a natural practice also emphasizes the importance of
understanding multimodal communication. Which is the holistic way of looking at all areas of
communication and how it extends beyond traditional text-based writing. Educators must recognize that
writing expands from basic essays to social media, texting, blogging, and more. Acknowledging these
diverse writing practices shows the evolving nature of writing in the digital age. This also plays a role in
how we understand the difference in generations of writing practices. In Bowen’s discussion, he explains
the importance of analyzing how older generations navigated various writing strategies and technologies.
In Bowen’s article, Principle 2 states “ Older adults have had more time to develop durable dispositions
toward literacy, including values, attitudes, and beliefs about literacy and its uses.” (Bowen, 112) Literacy
has been used in many ways over the years, studying the difference in practices and the drastic changes in
technologies helps us understand the evolution of writing.
In today’s classrooms, Dyer’s concept explains the important role of feedback. Writing is a taught
skill and it requires years of practice and repetition. Feedback is a central component of writing in
contemporary classrooms. When education provides constructive feedback, it helps students identify their
strengths and weaknesses. This aligns with the idea that writing is a skill that benefits from ongoing
guidance and assessment. Dyer explains in his text the physiology and embodied cognition with learning
skills over time. For example, the way we talk and use our words is because of complex feedback given
and our brains adapting. “Our speech has been bound up in complex feedback loops with our physiology”
(Dyer, 27). Feedback is a main source in skill development, where the student has accessibility to grow.
In the writing world, I know personally my writing developed the most from peer reviews and edits, not
only from teachers but by other students as well. Getting a fresh perspective on any piece you are working
on, is greatly beneficial and can help your writing flourish.
Recognizing that writing is not innate empowers individuals to engage in the writing process with
a growth mindset, knowing that writing proficiency is attainable through education and practice. Dylan b.
Dyer’s Concept 1.6 “Writing is not Natural”, expands the idea of writing being an inherited skill. Instead,
it is something that takes time, patience, and practice. In todays world, where writing is something so
important, it is vital to make sure the most time and effort is put into the learning process. The concepts
and ideas I discussed above, support the importance of understand writing and the underlying process it
takes.
Work Cited
ADLER-KASSNER, LINDA, and ELIZABETH WARDLE, editors.
Naming What We Know:
Threshold Concepts of Writing Studies
. University Press of Colorado, 2015.
JSTOR
,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt15nmjt7. Accessed 17 Nov. 2023.
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