Elbow

--> Before You Read:

1. I construct an identity using Facebook by the pictures I post, being able to share my interests, and post things about myself. I believe that my online identity on Facebook is the same as my identity at home. Everything that I'm involved in and do at home is what Is what I post on Facebook, so this makes my online and home identity the same.

Summary:

In his article, "Voice in Writing Again, Embracing Contraries", Elbow argues the contraries of voices and how people have different opinions on voice. Elbow goes on by explaining to student readers and writers how voice used to be an important dimension of texts and how it differs today. Elbow emphasizes all the places voice is used and how helpful it can be to make words easier to understand.

Synthesis:

Elbow's article is similar to Klein's because they both deal with expressing your own ideas. Elbow's article talks about how to use strong voice to make your writing better and connect with the audience. Klein's article also talks about how to make your paper stronger and your writing better by giving research tips and and using your voice in your research.

QD:

1. I would define voice as being able to express your own thoughts into your own words. The other definitions I encountered in the past of voice had to do with speech and other definitions match up to the what I think voice is. Elbow's definition of voice is what is true and fitting to the writer or speaker.

4. Within Elbow's strategy of arguing, he playing his "doubting and believing game". Elbow argues both sides in an equal manner giving the readers the choice to pick which side they want. He does this so that the reader can have their own voice and pick the side they believe in.

AE:

2. When you listen to a passage rather than reading it makes the words easier to understand. Ear training has effected my reading in the past by  understanding passages more clearly and it allowed me to comprehend what I read more easily. In my opinion I believe this is a tool everyone should because it really helps when figuring out the meaning and ideas of a reading.

Connection:

1.  I believe that Allen tries to encourage her audience that writing isn't hard and that anyone can be a good writer. This is very similar to what Kleine tries to do. They both encourage writers to express their own voice and opinions.

MM:

When I am writing I try to focus on a voice. It is sometimes hard to stay with this because I start to forget about it and focus on the details and other parts of my writing.  I believe it is possible to do and needed to be a successful writer.

Thoughts:

I thought that Elbow's article was very interesting and helpful. I learned about the different perspectives on voice and how important it is to express your voice. The article was somewhat long and I started to lose interest near the end, but overall I liked it.