My literature review last semester focused on non-fiction writing. After a whole semester of reading articles and articles about this topic, I knew this was not the one I wanted to work on for my thesis. As I started to form ideas of what subject I am interested in, I recalled reading Katie Wood Ray's Wondrous Words and one simple sentence that stuck in me was that: writers don't invent their own writing, they learned from other authors.
Why such an impression?
As I grew up, I pride myself on the ability to paraphrase others' writing into mine. I have always thought this is a form of stealing, and though I grew more comfortable doing it, I dread the day I'd get caught. I felt so relief when I finished reading Katie Wood Ray, knowing that I was not the only on and that there's nothing wrong with learning the ways how authors convey their language. Looking back, this method has helped me so much as a writer. I certainly wonder how it'd help young children now that as a teacher, I could help guide them through the process. A part of me also wants to dig deep into the authors study as I want to expand my own adventure with American children literature, with the authors that I did not grow up with.
My research question, for now, is simple: How does authors study help guide young children become better writers?
I love Katie Wood Ray! The idea of borrowing from great writers as something encouraged and not "stealing" is great explicitly stated, especially with primary writers.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, I also focused on nonfiction writing last semester for my lit review and feel the same as you. I loved Katie Wood Ray's powerful words you included.
ReplyDeleteI think your new question about authors and studying authors to help guide writers to become better writers sounds very inspiring. It is something I am trying to work on as well. I know it helps me so much to see examples both texts styles or structures and ways with words. I think we all can learn so much from published authors.
Maybe we could even work together on this.
Yes, yes, yes! work together!
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