The simple answer to today’s prompt would be to say that students’ perceptions of themselves as writers varies from student to student. If I was to generalize them into one average student I would imagine that they feel they are functional writers and that all writing, particularly academic writing, is a means to an end. If I could read their minds as they write for my class I imagine they would be pondering over how to get a complete grade, hopefully glancing at the prompt/rubric for a given assignment, perhaps muttering, “Just get it done…”

The letters they wrote at the beginning of the quarter indicated that they thought themselves everything from polished to novice writers, so I am at a bit of a loss as to how the prompt for todays blog is to be answered. The only commonality is the want to complete the assignment and receive the desired grade. Beyond that I feel any attempt to read their minds amounts to useless speculation.

I know I have a handful of students who actively enjoy writing, but beyond that everyone else, while not expressing anything resembling loathing towards writing, seem to be largely indifferent to it. They know they must possess a certain level of proficiency in writing in order to be successful in their later college and professional lives, but aside from a desire to get to that point—if they’re not already there—they could care less about what they produce so long as it meets the standards set by the given class they are in. As I said before, “Just get it done…”