In Ten Ways to Think About Writing: Metaphoric Musings for College Students, E. Shelley Reid gives writing a new definition, inspiring us to see that writing can be more than an academic task. One part of her paper that stood out to me was #1: A Thousand Rules and Three Principles. Reid shared with us the many rules she learned about writing, which are the same ones that run through my head even when I go to start a paper: “Always Have a thesis, “Don’t use ‘I’ or ‘you’,” “Make three main points.” These rules have been ingrained into our brains since we started writing essays, so around the third grade. Schools have made writing papers feel like some sort of scientific equation, if we mess it up there’s no way we are getting a good grade.
For me, all of the rules we were taught are paralyzing. Instead of letting my brain and thoughts flow, I start to second guess myself before I can even start writing me paper. Am I following all of the rules? Do I have a thesis? DO I have my key points? Am I writing correctly?
What stood out the most is Reid’s suggestion to move our focus from all of these rules, and stop obsessing over it. Reid wants us to thinking about if our writing is clear, if it communicates a message, and encourages the readers. Seeing a writer’s approach to writing feels like I’ve been set loose from old teachers haunting me. By focusing on what Reid taught me, I will try to see writing assignments as personal and creative task rather then an academic one that requires a list of rules.
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