Ann M. Penrose and Cheryl Geisler discuss different levels of writing in the article “Reading and Writing Without Authority” by presenting two different writers and the process in which they take to write about a specific topic. The first writer, Janet, is very clearly still learning how to write without authority. The second writer, Roger, is much more advanced than Janet when it comes to writing without authority. As Penrose and Geisler examine their writing techniques and style, it becomes apparent that Janet does not trust her own opinions and judgment, whereas Roger is fully able to comprehend the material and make claims about the works he has read.
While I believe I have acquired some of the writing techniques that Roger uses, in order to make my writing sound more sophisticated, I also believe that my overall quality of writing is more similar to that of Janet’s. I have found that when I am writing a response to a piece of writing, I often summarize and reflect, but I never truly analyze and depict the writing. I read as though what I am reading is undeniably true, knowing that in most instances, this is not the case. If I am told to simply respond to a piece of writing that I have read, I will explain how I relate to it, what I thought about while reading it, and its significance. However, if I am told to analyze and make a claim on one of the author’s perspectives, I will respond with an argument. This is exactly the issue at hand with Janet. She was not told specifically how to respond. Because of this, she took the approach that I typically will take.
Roger, unlike Janet, is able to write well without authority. He is able to view the author’s perspective and challenge the ideas he read about. His ability to do this may stem from the additional education he has received, or simply because of the way he thinks. It is important to understand that not all pieces of writing we read are factually true. While there may be facts present in the writing, this does not make the argument that the writer is making accurate. It is our responsibility as readers and writers to examine everything we read and come to our own conclusions.
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