Monica Torres
Eng. Comp
Trang Phann
10/23/10
SQR6
Closing My Eyes as I Speak: An Argument for Ignoring Audience Author(s): Peter Elbow Source: College English, Vol. 49, No. 1 (Jan., 1987), pp. 50-69
Summary: The article “Closing My Eyes as I Speak” talks about benefits on ignoring the audience and how writers can improve their essays or writing. Elbow says that ignoring the audience can prevent writers block. He also says that when it comes to an audience we tend to get intimidated and make it hard on ourselves to go get our point across. He also says that sometimes our audience can help us, when we do think about the audience we think a lot more and of better things to say. This article has a lot of different views on writing and what will help you the most. Piagetian says that we should start out by being private and as we grow up we will become more social and will be able to write and talk more efficiently, while Vygotskian says we should start out social and then when we become older it will be easier to voice ourselves. There are also different views about writer base prose and reader base prose. One claims that it is best to use one than the other and vice versa. Reader base prose focuses on the reader and helps the reader fully understand, while writer base prose does the opposite. It’s all about the writing and it allows the writer to write about anything, it is all clear to the writer.
Q: Is it good to ignore the audience? Which do you prefer writer or reader base prose?
Answer: I personally think it is best to ignore the audience because I tend to freak out in front of them. I get embarrassed and forget what I’m talking about and I get off track from what I’m talking about. If I were to ignore them I think I would do a lot better because I wouldn’t feel so pressured and awkward in front of them. I prefer both writer and reader base prose because I can benefit from both. I like that writer base prose focuses on me and it doesn’t matter if the readers understand it. Writer base prose lets the writer talk or writer about anything the feel comfortable writing about, the can add as much detail as they want and it all makes sense to them. On the other hand, reader base focuses on the reader by making sure the reader understand what it is the writer is talking about.
Good summary. You answered your question fully and you explained with examples. I agree with your answer because if you use both reader and writer based prose, you could create a better paper.
ReplyDeleteI think both of ypour questions because you answered them correctly, I in a way relate to you, i tend to freak out when im infront of an audience, but it is important not to forget about them completely.
ReplyDeleteI like your response because your answer is reflective according to what you thought was right to you and i agree with your statement because when you are able to use both writer and reader based prose you wont have trouble getting your point across to any audience.
ReplyDeletei agree with your response because sometimes its better to use both writer and reader based prose to get your point across.
ReplyDelete