The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

Analysis & Response 131 Social Integration in Writing Caroline Watson Caroline Watson is a sophomore accounting major from West Liberty, OH. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and anything that allows her to show her competitive spirit. She never considered herself a writer, but through the composition class she learned how to write well, and noticed that writing requires critique and involvement from outside sources. Freshman students fill the classroom, wondering what to expect from this class. The professor hands them a sheet of paper. “This,” he explains, “is your first writing assignment.” Immediately, students sigh, remembering past writing experiences and failures. They remember the frustration and loneliness that accompany writing and the incredible drain it has on a students’ time. No student in this class looks forward to writing assignments of any kind. Students dread such writing assignments for many reasons. Many think that writing wastes time. Others believe that they do not write well and thus do not want to learn. Still others know they are good a writing and do not see why they should put in the effort to become better writers. The current education system contains many flaws when it comes to writing instruction, but educators and students often overlook one of the main problems: professors take the social aspect out of writing. Professional writers often see writing as a solitary occupation. William Zinsser in his book On Writing Well contends that writing is a difficult and lonely occupation (3). Zinsser believes that the writer must concentrate on his writing and to do this the writer should lay aside all distractions, which often means complete seclusion. While they never admit it, students accept the idea that writing is a private activity with not outside participation. Many believe that only the teacher and the student are involved in the writing process. I am of twominds about Zinsser’s claimthat writing is an individual activity. On the one hand, I agree that the writer must seclude himself or herself to accomplish anything. On the other hand, I believe Zinsser