Journal 5

I feel that writing and composing seemed to be the same thing, originally. However, throughout the course of this class, I have come to realize that they are two completely separate things. To me, writing is the act of actually writing something. This can be anything, creative or analytical. Writing is a means of getting information across from one person to another. It enables an author to communicate with someone else. However, composing is something completely different. Composing is pulling information and ideas from different places and putting together a work that resembles one’s findings. Composing, in my mind, is also mostly a creative process. This is because one has to think about exactly what they want to put in the work or the text. Composing, however, can also be entirely within an author’s head. Writing is the mode. Composing is the process.

Previously, this has been proven to me by my work in creative writing and theatre classes as well as analytical classes. In more artistic classes, for example, I know that I have done a lot of composing, but the end product is not necessarily a written piece of work. In theatre, for example, the end product might be a play or a costume design. However, in my history and science classes, writing was very much the basic skill needed because there was not as much creativity or leeway involved. Composing was not necessary. Whether I am writing or composing, though, there are several terms that I know I need to keep in mind.

1)   Structure- It’s fine if the structure of something does not immediately come clear to you. However, anything you are writing or composing should have it.

2)   Content- Be sure you stay on topic and that your content is correct, informative, and interesting.

3)   Length- What is the proper length for what you are writing? Is it a shorter, creative piece or a longer research project?

4)   Knowledge- Know what you know and what you do not. If you need to look something up while you are writing or composing, do it.

5)   Interest Value- If what you’re writing is not at least of interest to you, then there should be a topic change.

By following these terms, composing and writing will come much easier.