In-Class Activity Two: Building a Theory of Writing

In journal one, you wrote about your current understanding of writing, focusing specifically on how you define writing and what key terms are relevant for this definition. Our work today will focus on further developing that work into your initial theory of writing.

Step 1: Create a Word Cloud

Copy and paste your first journal into a word cloud-creating site.

How to create on worditout.com: Go to http://worditout.com/ Click on “create.” Paste your document into the blank space in the text box. Click “generate.” Select the font, colors, size, and layout that you prefer. Click “save” and enter your email when prompted. A link will be emailed to you, and you can download your word cloud from there.

Step 2: Begin to Theorize

In about 200-250 words, respond to the following questions:

What connections do you see (if any) between your word cloud and your key terms? What did you expect to see, and what did you not expect to see? What was surprising? If you don’t see a connection between key terms and your word cloud, why do you think that is? Why might it be important to see your word cloud mirror your thoughts in the journal, or does it matter? Does looking at your word cloud make you rethink any of your key terms? What is the most intriguing conclusion you can draw from this exercise about your ideas about writing?

Next, create a theory of writing based on your own key terms and word cloud. When creating this theory think of science classes or research you may have done: A theory is a group of statements put together to explain a phenomena (specifically, here, writing); it assists in the understanding of these statements. For this task, your audience should be defined; it could include other students, professors, colleagues in your workplace, future employers, the university community, etc. Explain your theory keeping your audience in mind.

Step 3: Visualize/Map your Theory

Now that you’ve composed your initial theory of writing, take some time to map your theory on an 8.5 x11 piece of paper. Ultimately, your map should include the 5- 8 key terms that you have emphasized in your theory of writing (which may be different from your initial list), and it should depict the connections that you see between the key terms.

Once you’ve finished, take a picture of your map so that you can post that image, along with the rest of your work, to the class blog. I’ll also be collecting the hard copies of your maps, which I’ll return to you later this semester.

Step 4: Making Connections

In groups of 2-3, share what you found in this mapping activity and share your theory so far. As you’re talking, be sure to consider insights that you have had about writing through this process of reflecting and mapping. Be sure to notice the overlaps and major differences between your theory and map and your group members’ theories and maps. Talk with each other about what might account for these differences and similarities. Be sure to take notes on what you discover to add to your individual tumblr posts. Take special note of any questions that arise during your discussion.

Step 5: Wrap-Up Reflection

Reflect on this entire activity – initial theory, mapping, & discussion – in about 250 words. What do you think about your theory of writing in comparison to others you saw today? How do you think having a theory of writing might be useful? What can you say now about yourself as a writer? How do you, as a writer, connect with your theory? How would you characterize your identity as a writer at this moment?