Theory of Composing: Take One

For this blog post, you are going to begin to think about your theory of composing--basically this is like the first draft of your theory, so it's more of an exploration than anything definite.

Think back to science or philosophy classes—a “theory” is normally a group of statements put together to explain a phenomena (here it is composing) and assists in the understanding of these statements. So, what you are going to do is begin to theorize about composing—the process, the definition(s), key terms, etc. Here are some questions to help you begin (you don’t need to answer these, but use them to springboard your thinking):

1. What does it mean to compose? What does it mean to compose with writing (and not something like art or music)?
2. What is a composing process? How does the composing process differ depending on the genre in which you are composing in (e.g. do you use the same composing process to create a poster as you would to create an essay)?
3. How does composing connect to writing?
4. What is “good” writing?
5. What are key terms you think of for good writing? How would you define these key terms?

After you answer this post you then need to create a wordle and post the link with your post.

How to create a Wordle: Go to wordle.net. Hit “create.” Paste your text into the blank space. You can play and manipulate the colors and fonts as you wish once you paste your document inside the wordle. Save the wordle to the wordle gallery. Then once it is saved you can post the url inside your comment like I did below.

Below is example I have done using the words from above:

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2198608/Theory_of_Composing_Journal

Key Terms

Key terms are an extremely important aspect of rhetoric and composition. Sometimes a key term can change the course of a discipline's history. After your readings on key terms, I want you to create your own list and define them using some of the readings as support (any reading is up for grabs including the key word readings and Bitzer and Bizzell and Herzberg).

So, generate a list of 5-10 key terms that you believe are important to either rhetoric, composition or both. Include a one-two sentence definition that calls on the readings BUT you don't have to directly quote the readings; in fact you should try and define them in your own words. Then bring it all together in a quick paragraph by explaining why you chose the ones you did.

Don't forget--you need to engage in conversation with your peers.

Rhetoric

Similar to your first blog post, I want you to explore what rhetoric is--how it is defined and used, why it is important to know and understand, how it connects to composing, what it means to you in the class and in the major. Use the reading to ground your post, but also begin to synthesize (this means taking your thinking past a summary) to make connections to the class, to each other, and to yourself as a composer. You can also use this post to explore what rhetoric means today in our society--the ways in which people practice it (often without evening realizing it) and how it might be useful for you once you graduate.

Your response should do the following:

*about 300-500 words
*thoughtful and provoking
*engaged with several other posts (not just the first person!)
*incorporate the text

The Rhetorical Situation

Guidelines for blog post:

In about 500 words or less, I want you to explore the following questions. Be specific in your responses. You can use direct quotes from Bitzer’s piece (and in fact this might be the most helpful in your explanation of a rhetorical situation). Blog posts are free and open and their language is casual. I should be able to begin to see who you are as a composer—through your voice, style and language choices.

According to Bitzer, what is rhetoric? What is a rhetorical situation? Why are both important in the understanding of how to compose? What do you believe comes first—the writing or the rhetorical situation? Do you believe all writing needs a rhetorical situation in order to compose? Why or Why not?

If you are NOT the first one to post you need to mention at least one or two of your peers’ responses in your entry i.e. you may agree or disagree with what someone else’s definition of what rhetoric is. You cite this person in your response and note why you are citing this person (for example, Kara mentioned that any situation can be rhetorical, but I’m not sure I agree. I believe...). Don't forget to do this as it is part of the assignment.