How to be a Better Rhetor
Each of the reading sources for this week highlight different problems and processes rhetors face whether it is with reading or writing. Adler focuses on the process of active reading and trying to retain information. LaMott and Bradbury describe the processes of writing that they have both practiced. LaMott’s approach to writing is more strategic whereas Bradbury lets his creative words flow. As aspiring rhetors, students can learn something new from each of these sources.
When Adler approaches reading a book, he does so in an active way. In his essay, “How to Mark a Book”, he outlines the steps he takes when annotating any type of reading. Underlining, circling key phrases and marking up the margin are just a few of his tips that he offers. The thesis of Adler’s essay is that when a reader is making marks and writing notes in the book being read, the words will be saved in your memory. Sometimes I find myself reading, and my mind wanders. When I finally come to, I find that my eyes kept scanning the words on the page without my mind processing them. Active reading helps me focus and better remember what I have read.
In an excerpt from LaMott’s book about writing, Shitty First Drafts outlines the writing process she goes through when writing her restaurant reviews. First, she exhibits a fear that every writer has which is that she has nothing to say. LaMott experiences self doubts and watches as the cursor blinks on the computer before her. Next, she approaches the child’s draft. Without any limitations or rules, the child’s draft is a big jumble of words and ideas that are in no coherent order. Her thesis argues that a child’s draft is essential in the writing process. In order to reach the final product of an amazing final draft, writers need to weed their way through a jungle of random thoughts and grammatical errors. I have personally never tried writing a child’s draft because I have had some of the same reservations as LaMott. I wouldn’t be able to handle anyone finding the first draft and wondering how I ever got into college. But I’m excited to get over this fear and try writing a child’s draft because I look forward to seeing if this method improves my writing.
As Bradbury lounges on a chair in his living room with his cat encompassing him, he shares a brief account of his history as an author and some of the different moments that have inspired him. In the film, Bradbury describes his personal account leading up to and following the creation of Fahrenheit 451. For Bradbury, characters and stories approach him during the writing process. Unlike LaMott, writing comes easily to Bradbury. When writing on a typewriter there is little room for error and it cost time and money for Bradbury to work in the student library. Bradbury would likely have not written a child’s draft. He believed that he doesn’t write the stories, the characters come to him and tell their tale.