Reflection of writing to read

After I read the Chapter three “writing to read”, the text guides to discover another ideas that I never think of before. In my mind, I believe that “listening” and “reading” are the ways of input, and “speaking” and “writing” are the ways of output. Through listening and reading, we can develop our capacity in speaking and writing gradually. Without seeds, how can we produce crops? However, it is not the absolute process.


Hirvela decribes his experience about preparation for writing books as an example of writing to read. He said, “while reading or reviewing the literature,…wrote notes about potential ways of categorizing ideas concerning writing to read, …drafted and redrafted outlines…. As the writing took place, my reading (and rereading) became more focused.”

From his experience, let me think of the process of writing my papers. Before I start to write my paper, I would read articles. Through reading, I can set up my basic frame for my paper. Sometimes, I do not figure out some explanations or theories in one article, and I will find out the related articles. Then, I can clearly understand the authors’ viewpoints. Because of writing, it may inspire me to think deeply and stimulate me to keep reading. As Holden claims, “using writing to probe what they have read so as to lend clear shape to the reading.” It is the similar statements as Vacca, Vacca, and Gove (1991) presented their points of writing to read that “writing is intended to read.”