Limitations on Writing? Spring Break Post 1

In a previous blog post, I discussed how frustrating the English 102 course diagram can be. In this paper I have surely experienced many frustrations with the writing process that goes along with this class. Personally, I am a very opinionated person. I share my thoughts very frequently. Sometimes those thoughts are not backed up by the work of someone else. If I am having a conversation on the Brewers with my friend, I am going to say what I feel on the Brewers. In doing this, I am not going to say, "the Brewers are going to be good because their hitting is the best in the NL according to ESPN."

The main tension that I am having to deal with this writing is worrying if I actually comprehend what it is I am supposed to be doing. Generally in papers, you are able to figure out how you are doing based on what was assigned to you. If you are unable to understand what is expected of you, it is tough to go forward with your writing. Like I said earlier, I like express my opinions in my writing. In academic inquiry, I am not able to express those opinions entirely to the extent I am used to.

I feel the key to this class for me is to find a medium in my writing style. Academic inquiry does require opinion in the paper. I think the process is to identify the topic, set a controlling purpose, look at research, and then form a new opinion based on what you have come across. I find myself getting into trouble because I am expressing my opinion more than those of the people's works I have read. The medium that I am talking about is not combating other's opinions, but using them in order to help develop what I am thinking.

However, I am not saying that the process in which this class makes you write through is useless. Backing up a personal opinion is a good thing and should not be criticized by me. I think the benefit that I am going to get out of this class is going to be very beneficial in my future line of work as a journalist. Any time I am able to learn a new system of writing, it will help me in the long run. I think it is just difficult for me to accept things that I have never done in the past and that is what academic inquiry is.