It is easier to revise wording, grammatical errors, or punctuation. It is not so easy to revise a big idea, which would actually change the nature of the text. Like the author says it is easy to revise on a "sentence level." but harder with a gestalt, the big idea, revision of thought.

The author explains that ever if one writes something but then revises or a person says something and then retracts it, it is really never erased. The author said even if you erase it, what a person wrote is already there and anything you do to change is an addition and not an omission. That's why everything one writes needs to be thoughtful and make sure that it could be permanent. This applies more in today's internet age that things are really permanent.

This section of "sketching your argument" is very helpful. It is a good tip to relieve the anxiety involved with not knowing where to begin. It reminds me of the SFD, just sketch, brainstorm, start. "Without fully understanding why", sometimes starting something, or just beginning to organize the arguments will lead to a clearer picture later on. Again, emphasizing that no one starts with a clear organized essay, it is a "work in progress" and one has to start somewhere. Starting is the key, reminds me of the saying "Showing up is half the battle."

This is an example of a more specific thesis statement compared to a generalized one. I can see how it can organize your thinking and make it more focused. I think half the battle of writing a research paper is having a good thesis statement. For example, writing about the revolution and its effect on the economy is too broad, can make the writer unfocused. However, writing on how it specifically caused "the evolution of the new Soviet person", already shows that this paper will be clear, the writer is focused, and not just going in circles with random pro and against arguments. A good thesis statement is one of the most important elements in an argument.

This is a very helpful comment because it is an actual example of what to do. I think this will help me with my next response as a reader. I will ask about deeper things in the texts like "motivations and personalities", questions like "why" to help the writer delve even deeper into the topic and make it even more meaningful.

It is always good as a reader to offer a different perspective, a different angle or side that the author may have missed or not thought about. It mentiones "lead her to consider them", he used the word "lead" as opposed to "tell". As a reader your job is to suggest, lead towards, guide, but not dictate.

People want to be liked and want to be nice. Sometimes criticizing someone, especially someone you don't know, can insult them or fire back, so many people avoid criticizing. The author says that by doing that you are not doing the writer a favor and even misleading. There is a way to criticize but still remaining constructive and helpful without hurting anyone's feelings. Suggesting, offering helpful advice, not telling is one way.

Ties in well with the SFD article. It is ok not to be perfect initially.

Perfectionists have the hardest time accomplishing anything.

This reminds me of a term I learned in psychology called "Interference". There is "Proactive interference" where you can not learn something new because you learned something before that, that subsequently INTERFERES with learning. Like Ruth that used previous rules from past english classes that made her less fluid and rigid in her current writing situation, which caused a block.

The reader can identify with Ruth especially during the moments of self doubt. Sometimes we are our worst critics. This self doubt or even low self esteem can be one of the reasons for writer's block. The fear of boring someone or even writing something that can be perceived as stupid can inhibit a person from being creative. The article is already relatable and the reader wants to continue reading to see how Ruth solves this problem.

I like how she is uses humor to make her point and makes the reader feel better. No one is perfect, it is not easy for anyone, maybe for a few exceptions that no one likes anyway.

Many people strive for perfection and just get 'writer's block" and won't write anything if it isn't perfect. It is good to see that it is ok to start out not perfect and even "shitty". It is even necessary in order to write a great paper or essay.