Writing Learning Journal

Writing Research

Most of my research on improving my writing has already been collected here.

Writing Goals

I'm in the process of writing The Learning Framework, which will expand into a book. I am recording the feedback I receive, as well as my reflections on my writing and writing process, to improve the quality of my writing.

I've decided to dedicate 1 hour a day for 16 days to improve my writing. My goal is:

In the next 16 days, I will significantly enhance my writing process and style to boost my effectiveness in authoring my book, 'The Learning Framework.' I aim to develop a formalized writing system that allows me to confidently and clearly communicate complex subjects to beginners. To achieve this, I will dedicate one hour of focused effort each day to refining my writing skills and process. This dedicated practice aims to build my confidence in my writing abilities, ensuring I can continuously improve my written output throughout my book project.

Writing Roadmap

Why

Why are you learning this

I am learning to improve my writing process and output so that I can feel confident in my abilities and prepare to write my book using the best principles and practices.

This project is an Instrumental Project because I want to improve the quality of my book.

Will learning this skill or topic help me reach my goal

Learning to write more effectively and how to think about my writing will help me in the long-term goal of writing a book.

What

Concepts

• N/A

Facts

• Puncuation
• Grammar

Procedures

• Explaining a Concept
• Proposing a Solution
• Justifying an Evaluation
• Cueing the Reader
• Describing
• Defining
• Planning a Research Project
• Evaluating Sources
• Designing for Page and Screen
• Sentence Boundaries
• Effective Sentences
• Grammatical Sentences
• Word Choice
• Review of Sentence Structure

Drawing A Map

The most difficult/important of these sub-skills are:

• Explaining a Concept
• Cueing the Reader
• Planning A Research Project
• Proposing a Solution
• Describing
• Effective Sentences

You might look at some of the particular features of the concepts, facts, and procedures youʼre trying to learn to find methods to master them more effectively.
~ Ultralearning [1]

How

Benchmarking

The way to start any learning project is by finding the common ways in which people learn the skill or subject.
~ Ultralearning [1]

I am using the textbook 'The St. Martin's Guide To Writing 11th Edition' as my benchmark for this learning project. I got it at half-price books for $3.

Empasize/Exclude

The Emphasize/Exclude Method involves first finding areas of study that align with the goals you identified in the first part of your research.
~ Ultralearning [1]

I have chosen the specific sections of the book that I will focus on in the next few days as part of my learning project. I have also omitted the sections I will avoid in my 16-day sprint.

The Roadmap:

The order in which I will start my learning journal:

1. 2024-03-14, Day 01: Meta Research. Organizing Learning Project.
2. 2024-03-15, Day 02: Planning A Research Project
3. 2024-03-16, Day 03: Planning A Research Project
4. 2024-03-17, Day 04: Cueing the Reader
5. 2024-03-18, Day 05: Cueing the Reader
6. 2024-03-19, Day 06: Explaining a Concept
7. 2024-03-20, Day 07: Explaining a Concept
8. 2024-03-21, Day 08: Proposing a Solution
9. 2024-03-22, Day 09: Proposing a Solution
10. 2024-03-23, Day 10: Check-in on Meta Research. Update Methods.
11. 2024-03-24, Day 11: Describing
12. 2024-03-25, Day 12: Describing
13. 2024-03-26, Day 13: Justifying an Evaluation
14. 2024-03-27, Day 14: Justifying an Evaluation
15. 2024-03-28, Day 15: Effective Sentences
16. 2024-03-28, Day 16: Effective Sentences
17. 2024-03-29, Day 17: Memorize Grammar
18. 2024-03-30, Day 18: Memorize Grammar
19. 2024-03-31, Day 19: Review/Reflect

Entries

Planning A Research Project

Day 2

Started by just reading through the section in the book. Skimmed the next few sections to get some context. Used the learning framework as a practical example and worked out the following:

• Purpose of Planning Section
• Audience, their interests, attitudes, and expectations
• Using primary and secondary resources
• Medium of paperback book allows for pictures, charts, graphs, quizzes, forms, and text formatting
• Length of the project is 90 days. Due Jun 15th 2024.
• Outline of the section

I spent about an hour doing this. I'm curious if I can finish it in one more day's effort.

Day 3

I've finished the chapter. I thought more about creating a research log to keep better track of my sources. I've decided to do it to avoid plagiarism and improve the book's quality. It will require some more work to go through my months of research again with a fine-tooth comb, but the result should be worth it.

I also considered keeping a printed version of my notes to annotate them. I still need to invest in the resources to do that.

GPT/Flashcard Research

Day 4/5/6

I spent a few days optimizing GPT prompts, and researching how to make more effective flashcards. So that I could create flashcards for grammar and writing information as I go along the rest of the journey.

The Writing Process

Day 7

Overall writing process:

• Assess The Rhetorical Situation
• Writing a Draft: Invention, Research, Planning, and Composing
• Evaluating the Draft: Using Peer Review
• Improving the Draft: Revising, Editing, and Proofreading

Peer Review Guide:

• Summarize: It lets the writer know how clear, vivid, and meaningful the story seems to readers
• Priase: It praises what works best
• Critique: It indicates where the draft could be improved and makes suggestions on how to improve it

Revise Your Draft:

• What are your readers getting at?
• What else should you consider?
• What else can you do to make your story compelling?

Edit and proofread your draft.

Day 8

After spending most of the past day and a half writing down and reviewing all of the drafting and peer reviewing steps, I compiled them into a single list that generalized the information. Which should help with create GPT prompts and processes for writing.

Overall Writing Process:

• Assess the Rhetorical Situation
  • Who is the audience? How does the audiences prior knowledge, values, and beliefs influence the production and reception of the text?
  • What genre or type of text is it?
  • When is the text produced?
  • Where will the text be read? (Social or cultural context)
  • How does the medium affect what to include in the writing?
  • Why communicate? What is the purpose of writing the text?
• Write a Draft
  • Choose Topic/Subject
  • Define Purpose
  • Conduct Research
  • Formulate Thesis
  • Outline
  • Develop Content
  • Refine Argument/Narrative
  • Draft Opening Sentences
  • Draft the text
  • Revise and Refine
• Evaluate Draft With Peer Review Questions
  • Overall Impression
  • Clarity and Coherence
  • Structure and Organization
  • Engagement and Relevance
  • Evidence and Support
  • Style and Tone
  • Grammar and Mechanics
• Improve Draft Based On Feedback
  • Understanding Your Audience
  • Enhancing Content
  • Improving Clarity and Organization
  • Refining Language and Style
  • Polishing the Final Draft
• Edit and Proofread your draft.

Where to use GPT:

1. Assessing The Rhetorical Situation: Getting an idea of the purpose and overview of the goals of the text. The context.
2. Choosing a Subject/Topic: Brainstorming ideas and getting overview research on what to cover.
3. Organizing, Summarizing, and Extracting Research: Anything that involves taking in and understanding a bunch of information from a variety of sources.
4. Formulating a Thesis/Outline: These two could probably be 1 prompt, based on the research, and rhetorical situation.
5. Creating Compelling Hooks: Creating the opening sentence of a section, chapter, or book.
6. Enforceing an Argument or Position: Using sources to help find flaws in arguments, and provide additional support to those arguments.
7. Critique of Text: Conducting a GPT peer review, potentially based on different perspectives such as: Coworker, Average person, Student, Advanced Expert.

Drafting Process:

• Choose a Topic or Subject: Select a focus for your writing, whether it's an event, concept, issue, or story.
• Define Your Purpose: Clarify what you aim to achieve with your text (e.g., inform, persuade, evaluate, analyze).
• Conduct Research: Gather information and insights relevant to your topic and purpose. This may include field research, literature review, or interviews.
• Formulate a Working Thesis or Main Argument: Develop a preliminary statement or claim that will guide your writing.
• Outline Your Text: Create a structured plan that organizes your main points and supporting evidence effectively for your readers.
• Develop Your Content:
  • Describe key elements vividly (people, places, concepts).
  • Use dialogue, quotations, or other elements to add depth and character.
  • Consider adding visual or multimedia elements if applicable.
• Refine Your Argument or Narrative:
  • Clarify the sequence of actions or logical flow of ideas.
  • Address potential objections or alternative perspectives.
  • Highlight the significance or implications of your subject.
• Draft Opening Sentences: Write an engaging introduction that sets the tone and provides a clear entry point into your text.
• Draft Your Text: Expand on your outline, incorporating your research and developing your argument or narrative.
• Revise and Refine: Review your draft for coherence, clarity, and impact. Make necessary adjustments to ensure your text effectively communicates your intended message.

Peer Review Questions:

• Overall Impression.
  • Summarize your overall impression of the text. What are its strengths and weaknesses?
  • Praise a specific aspect of the text that you found particularly effective or engaging.
  • Suggest one area where the text could be improved for clarity or impact.
• Clarity and Coherence.
  • Is the main purpose or argument of the text clear and easy to identify?
  • Are there any parts of the text that are confusing or difficult to follow? How could they be made clearer?
  • Does the text flow logically from one idea to the next? If not, where could transitions be improved?
• Structure and Organization.
  • Is the text well-organized, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?
  • Are the ideas presented in a logical order that supports the main argument or purpose?
  • Can you identify any sections that feel out of place or could be rearranged for better coherence?
• Engagement and Relevance.
  • Does the text engage the reader's interest throughout? Are there any parts that feel dull or unnecessary?
  • Is the topic or argument relevant and significant to the intended audience?
  • How could the writer enhance the text's appeal or relevance to its readers?
• Evidence and Support.
  • Is the argument or main point of the text supported by sufficient evidence or examples?
  • Are the sources (if any) credible and appropriately integrated into the text?
  • Suggest ways in which the writer could strengthen their argument or provide more compelling support.
• Style and Tone.
  • Is the writing style appropriate for the intended audience and purpose?
  • Does the tone of the text remain consistent throughout, or are there shifts that feel jarring?
  • Are there any stylistic elements (such as word choice or sentence structure) that could be improved?
• Grammar and Mechanics.
  • Are there any recurring grammatical or punctuation errors in the text?
  • Is the text free of typos and spelling mistakes?
  • Provide examples of sentences that could be revised for better clarity or correctness.

Improving Your Draft:

• Understanding Your Audience:
  • Who is your intended audience, and what are their expectations or needs?
  • How can you make your text more engaging or relevant to your readers?
• Enhancing Content:
  • What can you do to make your narrative, explanation, or argument more compelling?
  • Are there any additional insights or evidence you can provide to support your position more effectively?
• Improving Clarity and Organization:
  • How can you organize your text to be more clear and logical for your readers?
  • Are there any sections that need to be expanded, condensed, or clarified for better understanding?
• Refining Language and Style:
  • How can you adjust your language and writing style to better suit your audience and purpose?
  • Are there any phrases or sentences that can be revised for greater impact or precision?
• Polishing the Final Draft:
  • Have you addressed any feedback or concerns from your initial draft?
  • Is there anything else you can do to enhance the overall quality and effectiveness of your text?

Day 9

Today I was feeling very inspired, so I spent about 4 hours working on the project. I created a few different writing prompts in order to assess a rhetorical situation, choose/brainstorm a topic, as well as get an overview/position for starting detailed research.

I am planning to cover a few different areas after this point. Building a GPT Research assistant, having assistants to help with Detailed resarch, outlining, thesis statements, opening sentences, drafting, Evaluating, and improving the writing.

How to choose a topic:

• Identify Your Writing Form. Determine the form of writing you are working on (e.g., narrative, profile, analytical piece, story).
• Reflect on Your Interests. Choose a topic that sparks your curiosity or passion.
• Consider the Audience. Think about who will be reading your work and choose a topic that will be interesting and informative for them.
• Assess the Scope. Ensure that the topic is manageable within the constraints of your writing form and length.
• Evaluate the Relevance. Choose a topic that is relevant to current discussions or has personal significance.
• Research Availability. Make sure there are enough resources available to research your topic thoroughly.
• Analyze the Potential for Conflict or Controversy. Depending on your writing form, consider choosing a topic with inherent conflict or controversy.
• Consider the Potential for Solution or Evaluation. If your writing form requires proposing solutions or evaluations, ensure that your topic lends itself to these approaches.
• Reflect on Emotional Resonance. Especially for narratives and stories, choose a topic that has emotional significance or can evoke a strong response from readers.
• Finalize Your Topic. Once you have gone through these steps, finalize your topic choice and begin planning and outlining your writing.

Feedback I've Receieved

Slow Productivity Reflection Feedback

The original article: Slow Productivity Reflection.

I feel like I've been dropped into the sequel of a movie. I don't know what the 80/20 method is, and I only know a little bit that you've told me about it before.

I have a tendency to fall prey to the curse of knowledge. The curse of knowledge is the difficulty of imagining what it is like not to know something that you know. It's challenging to get the same perspective on a subject once you have an existing understanding of it.

I often write to reflect on how what I learn connects to things I have already learned about a subject. I don't re-introduce topics I already understand because I aim to expand my knowledge further and deepen my understanding.

Yet, I share these reflections with my friends and family who do not recreationally study the same books that I do. This leads to this difficulty of sharing, focusing on my goals of expanding my understanding, and re-explaining what I already think I know.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think that this is the perfect opportunity for me to deepen my understanding by proving that I can introduce these topics to new beginners.

Obviously you are very vulnerable with your goals. I’d make sure you take time to try to read your work empathically from different angles. For instance, read it as a future employer… what does this say about you? Maybe even ask gpt to review it from that perspective to give you criticism... Try to see your work from different angles that will impact you the most: cowork, boss, partner, etc maybe gpt can give you that feedback quickly.

This feedback further validates that I must consider how my written work appears to others. I must be stuck in my head while writing it, and it only makes sense to me, or I'm not paying enough attention to how others will take what I am saying.

I like the idea of using ChatGPT to quickly get a rough view of this criticism. I think I can create a prompt that asks questions about the article from different perspectives, which should help me expand my horizons when editing and reviewing my work.

With my website being public, I have to be cautious about what I include. In some ways, when writing on it, I feel like it's my own little space where I can be myself, talk about what I want, and share my truest ambitions.

I liked the part of the review where you grounded the advice to real world stories and application.

I want to make sure I focus on this in my other writing. This can be really difficult, depending on what I'm writing about. Most of the time, I write about ideas or concepts and less about things that I can actually practically experience.

When writing my next book, I will take the time to dig deep and experience each step and advice to test them for myself and ensure that I have grounded, relevant stories. This is something that I value in other books and makes me more confident about the material I'm writing about.

Footnotes:

1. Scott H. Young: Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career
2. R. B. Axelrod and C. R. Cooper, The St. Martin's Guide to Writing, 11th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015.