SQR 5

Ryan Pena, Andrew

Eng 1320/1301.161

Prof: Trang Phan

Date: 9/29/10

SQR 5

A cognitive basis for problems in writing starts of with a very excellent yet difficult question, “Why is writing often such a difficult thing to do”?

The answer is because even though we are straightforward with saying what we mean; readers often misinterpret what the writer is saying, so in conclusion a better model of the writing process is needed. Which brings out the point of writer-based prose which is a description of the under transformed mode of verbal expression, the article explains that this type of writing is a common problem in academic and professional writing, and that the symptoms range from an underdeveloped idea to an unfocused, pointless discussion. The Article then brings up reader-based prose, which is a deliberate attempt to communicate something to a reader.

The Article then goes on to talk about the inner speech and egocentrism in writing, which is basically what children would do if they were playing around, like creating monologues, which makes no sense to the listener. An example of egocentrism would be as if a child were talking, they would talking only about themselves and not really communicating with the other person, so they would expect no answers and would not care if anybody were listening to them or not.

Question:

Why does egocentrism and inner speech connect with how a child would speak to someone?

The egocentrism and inner speech connect because in most children’s speech, their talk was egocentric in nature, which is a reflection of the child’s limited ability to assume the point of view of the listener.