I
remember the first time that I heard Ms. Fletcher say the words blind
read-around. You know where people in
the class sit and read what you have written (in this case our personal
statements). Freaking out I remember
looking at everyone sitting at my table with this oh no she did not just say
that look. I was already freaking out
with the people sitting at my desk read my personal statement now other people
were going to read it. I know I’m not the only one who remembers it I’m pretty
sure there where others out there who felt the same way that I felt.
I remember thinking great
people are going to sit around and judge my writing, what if it sucks, what if I
make no sense. There were so many things going through my head at that
moment. I thought that I was going to
dread the times that we had to have blind read-arounds.
Now I have no problems with
blind read-arounds. I see them as an advantage;
they help me out a lot. Blind
read-arounds help me out a lot. They
help me to see what it is that I need to do to improve my writing. I get feedback on what I need to add, take
out, grammar errors, or anything else that needs to be fixed. Not only does it help me on making improvements
I receive complements on my writing.
People that read my writing were telling me that I had great details in
my writing and that it helped them to read my writing more clearly. I’m glad that we had these blind read-arounds
for our personal statements because to me they helped a lot.
Vanessaa!! I know you were worried soo much about the blind-read around. But once you started focusing, and having more confidence, you're writing became so terrific. (You had the best essay both times out of our whole topic.) I WAS KIND OF JEALOUS..lol:) great job.!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand. I remember before the thought of having anyone else but me hear or read my thoughts was nerve wrecking. I felt that by letting people hear something personal of who I was, I was giving away a piece of me that i would never get back. It wasn't until last year in AP English that Fletch had us read our personal statements that we had written out loud in front of the entire class that I realized everyone had their own story. I was not alone, and all those stories everyone read were parts of them that they wanted people to know. I feel like ever since then my interpersonal skills have gotten a lot better and I am not as fearful about talking to others about myself as I was before. These blind read arounds really help because no one knows who's paper they are critiquing and it helps the real thoughts of others be heard as well.
ReplyDeleteBlind-read-arounds are so scary. It's amazing how much words can mean. It can probably portray us and who we really are better than any picture. Our writing truly is a little piece of our minds. Others critiquing it, just feels like people are picking at our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you are right. When something bothers us that much and reveals our low-self esteem and doubts, then its something that we need to give attention to and work on. We shouldn't run away from our problems and let them get worse. Blind-read-arounds lets us face our issues, and get over the fear of sucking at writing. If we suck, then all we need to do is figure out how to get better. Pour the burning alcohol over the cut until it finally heals. Listen to as much critiquing until you figure out how to get better. It's all for our own good.
I know exactly what you mean when you say the first time I heard blind read arounds. I didn't want anyone else reading my personal statement. I'm pretty sure that everyone will get used to it.
ReplyDelete