Response to Winterowd

We have often seen, heard, and used the terms “good writers” and “bad writers” to portray those engaged in the “mental activity that produces texts,” the phrase that W. Ross Winterowd employs to explain what writing encompasses (103). The words experienced writers, inexperienced writers, expert writers, inexpert writers, unskilled writers, beginning writers, basic writers, and better writers have appeared frequently throughout Chapter 6 in The Culture and Politics of Literacy to describe those involved in the various stages of what is known as the “composing process” of writing. I prefer and believe it is most appropriate to use the terms basic writer to describe unskilled or inexperienced writers and good writer for those writers more experience in the writing process.

            What distinguishes basic writers from good writers? Winterowd suggests that good writers develop the ability to make the adjustments required to adequately met the readers expectations and produce “reader-based” texts. On the other hand, basic writers produce “writer-based” texts which do not provide the reader with enough information to properly recognize the writer’s intentions (104). Writing is generally considered a four step process that includes pre-writing to develop ideas, writing out those ideas, revising what was written by adding, deleting and rearranging text, and finally editing to correct spelling, syntax, and grammatical errors. Winterowd argues that good writers make changes, adjustments, and corrections as their writing progresses, whereas basic writers have not developed proper editing and revising skills because they “do not scan backwards as they attempt to move forward” (104). How do good writers differ from basic writers in the areas of planning and revising? Good writers plan more, take notes, and are flexible. Basic writers make few if any plans, preferring to just begin writing, and are unwilling to make changes when they encounter obstacles. Winterowd indicates that good writers tend to make changes in content by adding, deleting, and reorganizing while basic writers limit their changes to spelling and punctuation and make little if any change in content (112).

            How can we help basic writers become good writers? Unlike language, which is a collection of dialects, there is one acceptable dialect, edited standard English, which is characterized by rigid rules of grammar and sentence structure (118). Basic writers have not learned or acquired the system due to inadequate and undeveloped reading skills and lack of exposure to literary texts. Since most words are not spelled the way they sound, lack of exposure to literary texts hinders a basic writer’s ability to master edited standard English. As remedial writing teachers we should focus on the process of writing. Winterowd argues that we should not concern ourselves with errors and what went wrong, but on how we might help them write more successfully by concentrating on improving the process of writing and the difference between correcting errors and providing help with planning, editing, and revising the student’s writing.

            Writing is a complex activity. To help our students become better writers we should analyze our own methods of writing and review our approach to the composing process. Getting started is difficult for most writers as they encounter many procrastinating rituals. Some actions may help us get through the anxiety while others serve no purpose and should be avoided. The surroundings where we write and the writing implements that we use influence our performance. Students should be encouraged to take a favorite pen or writing machine to a familiar place with few distractions to begin their writing assignment. Attitude is a critical factor in overcoming the fear of writing. Subject matter may create enthusiasm and improve attitude, which will increase the writer’s chance for success. Prewriting and rewriting are essential to effective writing and the completion of the final product. Introducing our students to various prewriting techniques and the methods for preparing drafts, including construction of the final draft, will yield better writing and more satisfied writers. As writing instructors our ultimate goal is to advance the basic writer to the status of good writer. We can do this by demonstrating that writing is not only and instrument of thought but also a means of self discovery and self expression.

Works Cited

Winterowd, W. Ross. The Culture and Politics of Literacy. New York: Oxford

            University Press. 1989. Print.