Joesph Harris

I think I started writing when I was in early grade school. I have increased my vocabulary throughout my schooling. I have written countless works in multiple formats. I was in honors English throughout middle school and took AP English for two years in High School, and yet, none of my teachers have explained writing in such an inspiring and logical way as Joseph Harris. One of his basic principles of writing is this term called “rewriting”. In his book he aims to teach how to not only write on a topic that has already been explained but to enhance the topic and move the idea forward. I was confused of the term rewriting. To me it sounded like plagiarism or something else that could hinder my writing education. Joseph says that, “rewriting is to point to a generative paradox of academic world.” Intellectuals and scholars all want to say something new and say it well, but at the same time we need to reflect on our own lives. Our tastes in music, our opinions of world issues, and the views of the people we talk to. Our creative writing stems from multiple sources, and we use that to explain writing in a new and creative way to build on an idea that was said before. Harris does not just want to teach us how to write; he aims to teach us how to understand a seemingly complex topic and say it a way that will enhance it. His book is split into 5 parts: coming to terms, forwarding, countering, taking an approach, and revising. If I could I would explain what each part means, but just looking at the words are a decent enough gist. It reminds me of Sullivan’s work of why to write a blog. In essence, it is new and accessible ways to spread ideas, respond to opinions, and allow one to build on these opinions to build a communal interest. What I truly love about both authors is the idea of moving forward by reading, responding, and understanding what was already said and to further their points so we may further enhance it.