Mike Rose’s article on writer’s block serves to inform writers about the successful and not-so-successful forms of writing processes, the latter leading ultimately to a block in one’s writing flow. According to the author, many writers misdiagnose their inability to write down their thoughts as writer’s block, when few actually suffer from this dilemma. According to a study conducted by Rose, key components about the way individuals encounter writing through rules and plans are demonstrated. The study focused on two groups and their various writing habits. One group included five undergraduate students who often experienced writer’s block and another group included five students who usually have no trouble writing down their thoughts. Three interviews were conducted with each student in order to analyze their approach and beliefs when it comes to beginning to write. It was found that each student held different ideas about the rules and plans of effective writing. Those in each group held similar ideas. It was concluded that those who experience writer’s block tended to stick to exact rules they were taught in school for instance. Rather than giving themselves room to breath and expand their ideas, these students were limiting themselves by following algorithmic-type rules. These students also tended to follow set plans that provided for limited “closed systems.” On the other hand, those who succeeded in writing did in fact give themselves room for expansion by using methods that involved heuristic-type loose rules and free flowing plans.
Although I can for the most part express my ideas effectively on paper, I often tend to suffer from writer’s block like the students in this study. I am guilty of having the same ideas about the writing process as they do. I for instance tend to follow some rules too much, although I do follow some more loosely. I am one of those people who may spend hours trying to come up with a perfect first paragraph and dwell on it until I can move on to the following paragraphs. I do notice, however, that when I don’t pay attention to rules as much, and write more freely, I tend to write more effectively and the fluidity in my writing shows. This article is related to previously read articles from our class in that it of course involves the writing process. It demonstrates how everyone has a certain way of approaching this writing process and how their ideas ultimately affect their overall writing.
Although I can for the most part express my ideas effectively on paper, I often tend to suffer from writer’s block like the students in this study. I am guilty of having the same ideas about the writing process as they do. I for instance tend to follow some rules too much, although I do follow some more loosely. I am one of those people who may spend hours trying to come up with a perfect first paragraph and dwell on it until I can move on to the following paragraphs. I do notice, however, that when I don’t pay attention to rules as much, and write more freely, I tend to write more effectively and the fluidity in my writing shows. This article is related to previously read articles from our class in that it of course involves the writing process. It demonstrates how everyone has a certain way of approaching this writing process and how their ideas ultimately affect their overall writing.