So I’d just like to leave this here to describe my thoughts on my takeaway’s from the course as far as research.
I know, I know I’m hilarious.
In all honesty I think there are some things that I’ve learned that can relate to this masterpiece of a song and video by Pink Floyd.
This class has been somewhat centered around specific concepts of the course that we have been expected to use.
Concepts like BEAM, Archival Research, Hunting vs Gathering and so on and so forth.
When I first heard about this course and everything that we would be learning about I was slightly disappointed to be honest. I thought that we were going to have to strictly use templates, writing styles, and research styles to get our points across.
I don’t do well with structure.
(Or so I thought)
As the course went on through winter and now through spring quarter I’ve learned a lot of things. And instead of seeing this structure as a bad thing I’ve come to the realization that when used in moderation this sort of structure and technique can be very beneficial to my writing.
I’m the kind of writer who sits down and lets the ideas flow.
From Pinterest
They often come out jumbled and sometimes I’m even confused by my thought process.
The writing/research process for me is a process of refining the edges.
I like to think of it like a clay sculpture.
When I begin the sculpture is just a large lump of clay waiting to be made into something. After a little while the clay becomes formed and molded until you can start to see an object, but it’s still not quite clear what that object is yet. It takes a lot of molding and scraping away at the edges to reveal the beautiful sculpture that was there the whole time.
I admit my writing isn’t always beautiful, but it always takes this sort of a process.
I don’t usually like sticking to a set of rules or a format while I’m writing, but I’ve learned through taking this course that it often can help me scrape away and refine my ideas and arguments.
Through meta-commentary or by using a method of grouping sources such as BEAM, I’ve found that my ideas are formulated much clearer. I can understand what I’m trying to say much quicker.
Also, what I say ends up being more organized and purposeful.
I know that I will use these strategies in my future writing and all jokes aside, this class wasn’t one that makes me want to sing Another Brick in the Wall.