Speaking of criticism

Speaking of criticism… I just had my performance review for Richland.  I was so nervous, which is unusual, but it was a hard week for me, having learned of a tragedy involving one of my students that weekend.  I believe I will receive a favorable review because my dean got involved with the conversation.  (I love it when that happens).  Plus, her response to me after class was good.

It’s a Process… Baby!

My favorite and most widely used writing tool is the WRITING PROCESS.  I teach it in every English class I teach.  I usually spend a whole lesson, if not class period on it.  This is the most essential tool a writer can have in their arsenal.

The writing process is… prewriting, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing.

The writing process breaks the writing down into bite size pieces that can ease a writer’s anxiety, as well as ensure that they complete the writing assignment in a timely manner.  It also guarantees that all areas of writing will be covered.

I use this tool regularly whenever I write something.  From start to finish, I cover all five steps.  There are times when I combine some steps, but I cover all of them.

Prewriting is a fun step for me.  It has changed since I worked on Master’s Degree because I now include research in all of the writing I do, instead of just academic writing.  I never considered doing research for non-fiction writing, but after working on my Capstone, I realize how important and effective it is.  I’m a big believer in outlining.  It’s where I figure out my story.  I probably go too deep with my outlines, but they work for me.  I have had to revisit my outlines on a couple of occasions, but they are still helpful.

Drafting is a hard step for me.  It requires me to focus, think, drain myself, and turn off my inner editor.  It’s the part of the process that provides a sense of accomplishment for me.

Editing and revising (they should be done separately, but I tend to combine them) are tedious because they require me to reread what I wrote, dissect it, and tear it down to make it better.  It’s hard work annihilating my writing in a way that will make it sound and read better.  Yes, annihilating is a harsh word, but that’s how I feel about editing and revising.

Publishing is enjoyable.  I like having people read my work.  That’s why I write.  One of these days, I’m going to make money from my writing. J

In every profession, there are tools of the trade.  These tools are valuable and should be used.  In writing, there are many tools that can be used.  The Writing Process is a valuable tool to know and use.

Now that’s an e-Portfolio!

When I began teaching 2311, I discovered the e-portfolio as a job search attribute while looking at the textbook as I designed the class.  It intrigues me, as an assignment to give to the class, as well as a useful tool.

I’ve never used an e-portfolio in my job search, but in the future, I plan to use it when the opportunity presents itself.  It’s a great way for employers to get to know you.  You can showcase yourself, and the employer can see who you are before ever meeting you.

If you look at my e-portfolio, you will learn about me as a professor.  You can see what classes I have taught, view sample syllabi, as well as sample assignments.  Also, you can see where I’ve worked and my letters of recommendation.  You get an overall picture of me.  One thing I eventually want to include is videos of me teaching classes.

When viewing my e-portfolio, you can get a good view of me as a writer.  I include many of my writings, both published and unpublished.  I think I show my writing skills successfully.  I have this section for two reasons, other than just to showcase my writing skills.  I want people to read my work, and I want to inspire people with my writing.

Overall the e-portfolio is a great way to showcase yourself.  Even if you don’t use it to showcase yourself, it’s a great way to create a monument to remember your successes in life.

Bad Habits All Around

Changing a bad habit is hard to do, but it can be done.  We must remember that a habit is just behavior, and behavior can be changed.

For most people, change is hard.  It’s hard because once something becomes routine, we don’t like to change our routines.  Writing is no different.  We develop habits when we write.  Whether it’s a common error or style of writing, we develop them, often times, not even realizing that we have this habit.

I don’t know that I have any “bad” writing habits, maybe too many comma errors, but I don’t think of any as bad.  I have a weird writing habit. I like to handwrite my first draft, but I can only write it on a particular style of paper. The paper is only sold at the beginning of the school year at Wal-Mart.  I generally have to stock up on it as well.  I also have a certain type of pen that I like using.  I can use other types of pen, but I feel better using my favorite style.  The only thing about my favorite style is that it is only sold in a 12 pack set, which includes two of them.  Thankfully, the other colors of the pen are cool, and I like using them.

Changing a habit takes patient and dedication.  Once I heard that something becomes a habit when you do it 21 times in a row.  I usually try the same thing when unlearning a habit.

Wikipedia… It has it’s Place, But Not in an Academic Essay

Wikipedia is a good starting point for person to begin their research.  It gets your brain to thinking about the subject matter, as well as provides links to other sources that may give you some ideas as well.

The biggest problem with Wikipedia is that regular people, who often don’t verify their sources, or provide accurate information, write the information.  It’s not verified or checked in any way either.  There’s no editor.  No experts review the site.

I remember one time Wikipedia kept saying that comedian Sinbad was dead.  Mike and Mike discussed it on air, and Greeney was very upset with the Wikipedians.  Calling them out for writing the false information.  It took a while for the site to get the information correct.

To use a source, remember to evaluate it using the following items:

·         Authority

·         Currency

·         Accuracy

·         Objectivity

·         Usability

·         Appropriateness

Constructive Criticism

I typed “define Constructive Criticism” in Google, and nothing came back.  Wonder why?  Who knows, but we face criticism everyday.  I’m not sure how I feel about constructive criticism, because in general, the person giving the criticism thinks it’s constructive, and most of the time the person receiving the criticism feels as if it’s deconstructive.

Getting advice or feedback is a good thing.  It helps you grow as a person.  We need it in all aspects of our lives, even in the workplace, which can be hard on us.  Workplace criticism is hard to deal with because it can cost you your job, but if given in a constructive way, it will benefit both the employee and the company.

I work well with criticism.  I’m a self-actualizer, so I’m pretty self-aware, and usually know when I need improvement.  One thing I do hate is when I think I’m doing well, but find out that I’m not, simply because I wasn’t told what I needed to do.  I can’t do something if I don’t know about it.

I have a performance review coming up soon.  We'll see how it goes.