Chapter 29 of Backpack Literature

After reading chapter 29 in our textbook, I found the section on prewriting to be the most helpful. The thing that I believe would progress my writing the most is freewriting. I am not sure why, but I have never really been big on this. I usually try to just make an outline before I write a paper, and that is all the prewriting I do. I sit and try to imagine my paper in my head as I make my outline. I think of how to make it sound professional and not make mistakes, rather than just letting myself explore and jot down my thoughts. The actual content of my papers and what I am writing about is what I struggle most with when I am writing. I know how to construct nice, clean sounding sentences and I am pretty good with grammar. Although, my actual content and what I am saying falls a bit short at times. I really believe that freewriting or journaling as the book suggests would help me with this.Another issue with my writing is the editing part. I often do not take enough time to proofread my paper as I know I should. Last semester, I remember I wouldn’t just because I was really busy. Even though, I should have read over my paper’s more, because it does cause less editing that needs to be done later on.

 Last but not least, I liked how the book suggested if you are stuck on a paper, come back to it a different time. I often try to sit there and keep writing when I get stuck, and I end up just babbling on or repeating what I have previously written. I hope if I apply these tips to my writing, I can become a better writer and express my thoughts and opinions more clearly.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn's Nobel Lecture

After reading this link, I can concur that Solzhenitsyn is trying to convince his audience of the importance of literature. He mentions that "art" or literature is not just something we read in books. It is an occurrence in our every day lives, and a constant feature in politics, communication, history, and much more aspects of society. Literature can cause disputes or develop peace throughout nations. It can assist in uniting our world together. One thing Solzhenitsyn mentions that I had really found notice to was his statement describing how we, as humans, often reject or dismiss literature that we are not familiar with. As I read this statement, I couldn't help but wonder if this was true with me? Do I often surpass the work of others if I am unfamliar with it or have no interest in it? Not only do I, but I think we all do this at times. Although, it is important to pay attention to a wide variety of literature because as Solzhenitsyn says, it is how people express their true feelings, thoughts, emotions, and opinions. Not to mention, our world's history is passed down through a form of art:  literature. Without literature history would not be able to be filtered through generations. The past would be an unknowing feature; history would not exist. Truth is a major aspect brought to the surface separated from lies. Alexander Solzhenitsyn firmly states how a lie will not stand in the world of literature, but only the truth can claim its place.

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