Seven pages in to my second article, I began to come to the conclusion that collaboration and composition as reflexive inquiry are related more than I previously assumed. Although Donna Qualley's article talks about how reflexive inquiry is a self-initiated process, it becomes clear that a lot of the self-initiating is inspired by outside sources, because of something overheard in conversation, read in a textbook, etc. In order to seek better and clearer ways of reaching an understanding, one must always be able to reflect upon "one's [previous] claims and assumptions in response to an encounter with" something new. Qualley makes reference to a quote by Robert Atwan that says ideas and methods have a consequence, and show "a mind at work" as opposed to the copy/paste "prefabricated assertions". In simple terms, you've gotta take the time out of your busy day to stop, examine something closely and determine how you feel about what is being said, and then choose to accommodate the conclusion you reach into your way of thinking. At least, that's what I got out of it.
Qualley talks about the five paragraph essay and how students begin to view composition as a formulaic design, but in reality, good writing is something that can't necessarily be taught. It takes time and effort on behalf of the writer to cultivate that skill. If said writer does not want "engage" in self-critical examination of their own work, their own epistemologies -- if they never wish to supplement their perspectives with the perspectives of others -- will "good" writing will ever occur?
No matter how much a professor attempts to teach their students the need to continually reflect on their work, not everyone is going to buy it. Compounding matters are the ways writing and thinking are taught at the high school level. The five paragraph essay, no matter how many words you've memorized out of the dictionary, is only effective when you're willing to admit to shortcomings and when you always strive to embrace complications.
Qualley talks about the five paragraph essay and how students begin to view composition as a formulaic design, but in reality, good writing is something that can't necessarily be taught. It takes time and effort on behalf of the writer to cultivate that skill. If said writer does not want "engage" in self-critical examination of their own work, their own epistemologies -- if they never wish to supplement their perspectives with the perspectives of others -- will "good" writing will ever occur?
No matter how much a professor attempts to teach their students the need to continually reflect on their work, not everyone is going to buy it. Compounding matters are the ways writing and thinking are taught at the high school level. The five paragraph essay, no matter how many words you've memorized out of the dictionary, is only effective when you're willing to admit to shortcomings and when you always strive to embrace complications.
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