6 The spoken word cannot be revised
I never really though of speech like this, but it is partially true. Once you say something, it is out there. But, you can revise it. I think that apology is a great example of this. Maybe you said something mean to someone, but after a while you realize you shouldn't have done that, so you apologize. I see this as a revision of words. To make this a complete revision, however, there must be forgiveness.
based on traditional rhetorical models, models that were created to serve the spoken art of oratory.
When I read "in inner speech, then in meanings of words, and finally in words" in the earlier paragraph, I was thinking about how we talk. Even though it is super fast, your brain first thinks of what you are going to say and then it is said. But, in a lot of cases I truly feel like I don't think through what I was going to say because once I say it out loud, I realize how much it doesn't make sense.
then you haven't yet found the best structure for your pape
I never thought about it this way, but it makes sense. You want the structure of your argument to also tell a story. Sometimes in essays when analyzing a text, I find it easier to analyze chronologically, but other times I think it flows better if I split up the paragraphs based on different topic ideas. Similarly to the puzzle analogy, the structure I use for one essay might fit for that particular one, but it might not make sense for another essay. This can cause the reader to be confused while reading the essay because the main points aren't apparent.
This thesis provides the writer (and the reader) with several clues about how best to structure the paper.
The journey of my thesis statement lasts from the very start of brainstorming a paper to the last final draft. People say to write your thesis first so that you know what you are going to write about. This helped me many times to construct my thoughts into a structured form. I usually outline my paper, and then figure out what I want to write about. Then I write my first thesis statement based on that. This initial one helps me know what order I want to talk about things in. But, as I get further into the paper, I usually rephrase and rearrange it to make the thesis statement more formal to appease to the level of writing.
Even when you're tough and demanding you can still be supportive.
This statement really reminds me of parenting. Parents have to push their kids in order to get them to do better. But, this can't be done if they are always getting praised. If you just got praised your whole life, you would never be prepared for the real world.
they don't lead them to think that all is fine and well when it's not
I love the comparison the author makes between someone editing an essay and a friend. It is so clever. When you want to be a good friend, you have tell them how it is. That is the only way you can truly help them. If you don't them it will hurt them eventually. In the same way, even though it might seem hurtful to critique someone's writing, it will help them have a better essay.
always make three or more points in an essay
The three point rule also reminds me of elementary school when they first teach you how to write essays. They tell you the structure of your essay should follow something like: Intro, Thesis, First, Second, Third, In conclusion. Up till 9th grade I was stuck in the idea that an essay would only flow if I had 3 points supporting my thesis and each with 2 explanation sentences. However, my literature teacher showed us that this method of 1 2 3 does not make the essay flow, but instead cuts it up into different pieces.
"rules are probably the major organizing factor, and quite possibly the primary one, in intellectual functioning."
The first thing I think of when I hear rules is the law. The law is in place for people to follow it, and there are consequences to ensure that. The law brings a sense of order. If there were no laws, America would be chaotic. Laws however also train our minds to think a certain way. Since I grew up here, I know that there is a law that you can't jaywalk. Because this was something that my mind just knew, it felt weird when I had to jaywalk streets in Mexico.
The next day, I'd sit down, go through it all with a colored pen,
This also shows that sometimes when you are sitting there and typing out the first draft, you need to forget about it for a bit and get back to it with a fresh pair of eyes. It will help you when you are stuck or don't know what could be better.
If one of the characters wants to say, "Well, so what, Mr. Poopy Pants?," you let her. No one is going to see it. If the kid wants to get into really sentimental, weepy, emotional territory, you let him
The author is emphasizing the fact that you should write down everything you are thinking by showing two completely different sides of writing: goofy and serious/emotional.
All right, one of them does, but we do not like her very much.
The author's ability to write as if it a one-on-one conversation helps engage the reader even more.
she argues for the need to let go and write those "shitty first drafts"
I completely agree with the statement she is arguing for. A lot of times I find it easier just write down everything I am thinking about, especially if I am having multiple thoughts at the same time. It is easier to organize your thoughts once you have them written in front of you. I use this method a lot. I will write everything out with no correct grammar or spelling and then decide how I want to frame it so that it is effectively getting my point across.