ENGL 298 B: Intermediate Writing Social Sciences   Autumn 2011, University of Washington

I was thinking about what to write about and after thinking for about 10 minutes I remembered one thing that just killed everything I had learned about writing. When Paige first told us about signposts I was slightly baffled. It’s a different style of writing that is not necessarily as smooth or that flows as well as what I had been taught before but it is a lot easier to read. We know what is coming up next in the essay. It is clearer and more concise. I had been taught that saying, “I am going to write about this this and this,” is a childish and immature way of writing. I was specifically told not to do that. I feel like it’s going to be very hard for me to signpost my writing just because of the way I have been taught. To try and change my writing style I’ve had to start writing assignments earlier. Before I could just crank out a paper in one night, and now, the thought of doing that quite frankly scares the shit out of me.

Reading has been a lot different in college than it had been previously just because of where I am reading. My surrounding environment had a much bigger impact on me than I thought it would. I live in a fraternity and it extremely difficult to find a good place to read. Back home I have this perfect recliner with a snuggie and the best reading light. I was spoiled when it comes to reading spots. Now to find a truly quiet place to read I have to go to a library. The chairs in libraries are not very comfortable. It is a lot harder to focus on the material when I’m constantly shifting around.

Overall in college it is harder to focus on writing and reading because of the distractions around me. It is also difficult to change my writing style and my reading habits. Some of things we are being asked to read are also extremely dry, and they don’t help my already sleepy eyes.