P5: Rewriting Intro and Ch.1 Response

Texts don't simply reveal their meanings to us; we need to make sense of them. -Joseph Harris

In Harris' introduction and first chapter of Rewriting, he outlines the basic concepts discussed within the book and also key elements for writing using others text. Harris begins by describing writing as a collective reconstruction of previous writings instead of a purely individual creation. However, this does not undermine the importance of accurately representing others within your own writing.

Harris uses the chapters within the book to organize how to formulate and develop your writing, as well as utilize others text, but also to rethink traditional revision. Chapter three focuses on "forwarding ideas", similar to an e-mail, as a way of response to a text; by "forwarding" a text you take the original work, add your own input and elaborate on the writing in a unique way.  I think that the idea of revision based less on grammar and syntax but on creating a better translation of your ideas will be refreshing and helpful compared to previous high school methods.

Harris also encourages writing to be less black and white, meaning that essays that argue for or against an issue are rather irrelevant because a clean cut solution is often impossible to find. This is also true when utilizing text within an argument because an approach that describes the goals and strategies of a piece of writing rather than a "main idea" or "thesis" is likely to be more valid. Measuring the strengths and weaknesses of anothers ideas and text can lead to a more carefully constructed response.

I think that Sullivan and Harris both value the fluidity of writing, in that they both recognize how writing adapts and changes based on culture. Although Harris is writing more from an academic than a professional standpoint, as Sullivan is, I think he emphasizes the importance of, perhaps not casualness, but clarity within writing. I think that Sullivan and Harris both prefer a style of writing that is beyond the academic model or a 5 paragraph essay or even thesis statements and instead that offers a more concise, clear view of the authors point of view and the text/issue that they are analyzing. I think that blogging as writing allows for citation to be simple and easy, which perhaps increases their accuracy and effectiveness.