Group items tagged

In this space leave a 4-5 sentence summary and response to the article. Do your best to tell us not just what the article argues but how it could be useful for us in ENGL 431. Then use tags to categorize the article for us. (When you're in the blue screen, choices for tags will appear below; once published, they'll appear as gray squares above) That way, as we become more interested in particular concepts or issues, we can easily find all of the articles tagged with those specific terms.

Thinking of invention in chapter two of our text lead me to think about the ways in which we write to express self. This article discusses how the world of texting, instant messaging, blogging and other such types of writing help to open our minds to our inner thoughts. We are free from the rules and regulations of a stereotypical classroom and are also allowed to share and respond to others writing. The internet and cell phones have opened up a huge new space for writing. Some think it's hindering and destroying language, while others believe its radically changing it for the better. I want to start my journey here and reach my own personal conclusion through further research and discussions.

In this article, the author describes how journal writing can help ESL learners improve writing by examples and introduces different types of journals. Journal writing is a popular tool used in writing class to get students practice and provide students the method and space to explore their ideas and reflect on action, questions and experience they have had out of class. I am interested in limited-free writing and journal can be considered a good method of limited-free writing. The general topic will not limit students' thoughts, and journals can build the conversation with teacher outside of class by written language; in this sense, journals can help students develop critical thinking skills and practice English writing. Besides freewriting, there are more writing practices helpful for students.

The amount of different types of social networking existing in today's students' lives is gigantic, also fascinating for me. I find it important and interesting to think about many different aspects of social networking, its effects on our lives. I am also interested in looking at how people's writing can reflect their true identity at that particular point in their lives. So, this article, which is based on a research project, seemed relevant to me. Basically, it examines and discusses 5 things: a) what SL (Second Life) is; b) how SL fits the definition of a Web 2.0 technology; 3) how SL can be beneficial in composition classrooms; 4) brief review of the research methodology; and 5) how identity and otherness can be viewed in a virtual world and the writing that comes from that. The author says: "SL is a medium that challenges students and gives them experiences, and ultimately confidence, helping to make their writing more engaging to read and more enjoyable for them to write". As I was reading this article, it was interesting to look at SL as an example of liminal spaces for those who are newbies and feel as outsiders. Will they always feel and be viewed as "others"? Will this affect the writing they will do? To what degree is composition linked to literacy today? Can we predict its future and take measures accordingly?