Decisions and Revisions: The planning strategies of a Publishing Writer by Carol Berkenkotter
Observing the way people learn and write can say a lot about a person’s thinking process. When observing closely, we can see the small actions a person does when going about their work in their natural environment. The natural environment being an area a person typically goes to get work done, and comfortably. These small actions can range from an individual looking up to the left when trying to work their way through their thoughts, or tapping their foot against the floor without even realizing it. In this article, the subject is Donald M. Murray, someone who is considered a skilled writer. Over a period of time, he was to voice record his thoughts out loud as he worked on writing a paper and when he reviewed it. In this study, along with copies of the notes he took, it was identified how his thinking process worked. Murray had the tendency to slow down his talking when reviewing and thinking of a new concept, versus when it is something he is familiar with. With familiar ideas, his speaking was more fluid and smooth. Further into the experiment, Murray was placed into a different environment than the one he normally writes in. When in the new environment, Murray was assigned to write the concept of death to 10-12 year olds. During this process. Murray had difficulties writing it, or even envisioning how this paper could go. Though it wasn’t just this factor that gave Murray trouble, he was also unfamiliar with the format of the magazine he was writing for. Not to mention he was given a brief period of an hour to complete this specific work.
Reading this article made me think about my own writing process. Of course, I could say where I typically write and what I tend to do during it, at least the major aspects. Though when it comes to the smaller details, I am not completely sure. I might catch myself bouncing my leg against the floor or fixing my hair. Doing a similar experiment/research on myself. There might be smaller details about my writing and revising process that I never knew about or didn’t pay much attention to.
Response of a Laboratory Rat-or, Being Protocoled by Donald M. Murray
Murray writes his reflection on the experiment and research he took a part of. In his writing, he mentions the term “bathroom epiphanies”. Murray discusses this because it is also an important part of his writing process, when he leaves his work space for a break. During these breaks, there are moments when he comes back with more clarity about his topic or new insight. Murray also discovers just how long he actually works and thinks for. He sees and hears how complex his thinking actually is.
When reviewing my own work, my own experiment, I hope to analyze and see how my thinking process looks like. I am aware it would not be the same as other people, but perhaps a few similarities will show up.
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