For this week, what I got out of our readings was
really just what you said in class Thursday: that while none of the ideas they
set forth are new and earth-shattering, they are nonetheless indicative of good
consulting practices that we should be using with all writers.
It is so important to take each writer as they are and
to adapt to work with them as unique, complicated individuals for whom we reach
into our tool box of writing strategies to pull out the ones that work best for
them. If one doesn’t work, it’s just like reaching in for a different size or a
different tool to approach the issue at hand. I agreed with your combination of
the various “types” of writers, from NNES to those with learning disabilities to
non-traditional students, because while these are all distinct groups with
distinct sub-categories that writers may, or may not, fall into, working with
these kinds of writers emphasizes that to work with them, we just have to do
more of the “good stuff” we already do, and to a higher degree.
We need to read people, be sensitive to their needs;
we need to try different strategies, be patient, and both phrase and present
things in a variety of ways to make sure that the writer catches our drift.
I know this one is short, Melissa L
I will try to add more later…
I love how this week's readings solidified the need for patience and understanding, especially because these feel a bit like "duh" strategies. However, they are really hard to practice all of the time, especially when we're tired/hungry/grouchy/slammed-for-time and whatever else comes up.
ReplyDeleteSee you tomorrow, Annie!