Spring 2004
Writing Survey (in preparation for the Reflective Analysis Essay)
Name:
Email:
Please select the answer that best reflects your writing most of the time.
1. Level of comfort writing 5-7 page papers
All or most of the time, I have no trouble generating 5-7 pages about my topics. Overall, I can sustain a 5-7 page discussion about my topics, but it requires effort and/or strategy. I struggle with finding enough to say about my topic, and am not always able to write the full 5-7 pages.
Other Comments:
Check all that apply
2. The parts of the writing process I have the most success with are:
Brainstorming activities such as sketching,diagramming, listing, outlining, freewriting, or looping Thinking of possibilities for topics (not necessarily choosing a topic) Choosing a topic (not the same as thinking of several possible topics) Finding a specific focus or angle for my topic Drafting Library research Internet research Thinking of peer response questions that generate useful feedback from peers Responding to others' writing Revising by adding points or examples to my paper Revising by rearranging or moving parts of my paper Revising by deleting parts of my paper that no longer seem to fit well Revising by shifting the main thesis or focus of my essay Revising by changing my intended audience Revising by changing my intended forum Revising by fixing problems others point out to me in my writing Revising by identifying and fixing problems I find in my own writing Suggesting revision possibilities to others Changing word choice Copyediting/ proofreading my own writing Copyediting/ proofreading others' writing Using the computer as a writing tool Using the computer as a research tool
Other comments
3. The parts of the writing process I have the most difficulty with are:
Other Comments
4. In my papers, I tend to use the following rhetorical strategies (Check all that apply):
Description Narrative Explanation or providing information Comparison/Contrast Definition Example Analysis (careful examination of the parts of an idea or argument) Synthesis (weaving different ideas together or establishing connections among different sources) Humor Establishing common ground with an audience Asking questions (Rhetorical or otherwise) Discussing different views or possibilities to strengthen your argument Framing your essay(s) with a scenario/example that introduces and concludes the essay Presenting yourself as an authority on your topic (through tone, style, knowledge) Quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing Emotional appeals Logical appeals Exageration or Satire Metaphor/Analogy
Other Strategies/Comments:
5. Specific audiences I wrote for in my various papers and the decisions I made about how to do so effectively:
6. Specific forums I wrote for in my various papers and the decisions I made about how to do so effectively:
7. Peer responses that were helpful/not helpful to me, and how I used/didn't use them to revise my drafts:
8. Other things I notice about my writing
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