Annie Dillard Discussion Questions

1.) If I am heavily involved in my writing then my position or level of comfort matters little. If I am stuck and can't thick of the right words then I start noticing the hardness of the chair or the strain of my sitting position. The more I try to get past the distraction of discomfort the less likely I am to produce anything. I like to bite my nails if I have writers block. If I like a particular topic I can just delve right in and start writing without any routine. If the topic is a sour one I try to gather my thoughts by pacing. It seems any type of movement helps me.
2.) I think the "bearing walls" which dillard refers to are generated by both the writer and social construction. This depends on what is being wrote though. In fiction writing I think the author has more of a creative license with these walls and is able to structure it to fit their goal. In essays/ papers for school I believe the walls are more socially constructed. The audience in this case usually has a format in mind and would like it to stick pretty closely. I don't so well with knocking out those bearing walls right now with my writing. I used to better but after years of being out of school I have only been writing for enjoyment without revision.
3.) I am the inchworm. My process of writing fumbles around lost and most of the time doesn't quite make it anywhere in the case of writing structured papers. I can also use bee's but in a different sense to explain my writing process. The swarming bee would describe my writing process when given an opportunity to write about a subject I like. I will attack it with ferocity but just once. Most of the time I haven't pushed myself to do the revision.
4.) I do share Dillards mystical view of writing. For me writing is an extension of my soul. My own personal journal is my greatest possesion. Although I don't have the right colors on my palette to paint a picasso I feel empowered every time I put pen to paper and let my hand express my heart.
5.) I think the vagueness goes back to the mystical view she holds. Something mystical is intriguing but not fully explained.

Practice Sentences: Commas, Semicolons, and Colons

1.) The flooding was worst at the point where New Jersey, New York, and Pennsulvania meet.
2.) Because he loved to read, to write, and to edit, Mr. Diamond was considering a career in library work, marketing, or publishing.
3.) Salinger's first novel, The Catcher in the Rye, captures the language and thoughts of teenagers.
4.) He has only one ambition; to produce a Broadway musical.
5.) If you blow out all your candles, your wish will come true.
6.) The district managers represents four regions: Terry Smith, Rochester NY; Chris Adler, Superior, WI; Kim Young, Chimayo, NM; and Pat Golden, Tallahassee, FL.
7.) The weather report predicted high winds, freezing rain, and show the highway patrol advised caution when driving; yet, the storm blew out to sea.
8.) My boss, who wears bright colors, is a cheerful person.
9.) He hires people who are energetic, efficient, and polite.
10.) When asked what she wanted to be later in life, she replied, "An Olympic swimmer."
11.) The governor issued this statement: "I have done nothing wrong; The IRS will find that my tax returns are all in order."
12.) Scientists spotted large numbers of dolphins; nurse and great white sharks; blue, gray and humpback whales; near the offshore staion.
13.) She lover her car, a red Toyota.
14.)If you drop by the doctor's office without an appointment you can be sure of one thing, an icy reception.
15.)His dog, a big labrodor retriever, is afraid of mice.
16.) His recent painting, which is hanging in our local restaurant, shows dogs in various disguises.
17.) His recent painting that is hanging in our local restaurant, shows dogs in various disguises.

"Real-World" Grammar Examples

I believe that the writers of the "real-world" grammar examples chose to write the sentences incorrectly because often times we try to reflect how we talk in the style of our writing. The overuse of commas may be to denote a certain pause that the writer felt when saying it but that doesn't translate in the world of grammar. However some writers may mess up on purpose in order to draw attention to the add. I'm sure it's been used before in advertising. Anything that grabs the attention of someone is a valid selling point. As long as it isn't a terrible mistake I'm sure that someone notcing the mistake will also notice whatever the add is promoting. I also believe that these errors were made because grammar is often misunderstood. I am no exception. Still I am shocked that the proof reading process didn't catch the errors. However it does speak volumes about our "real-world" use of grammar. I am sure that errors of such are less likely to appear in novels or published journals. The "real-world" use in advertising only goes to show how misunderstood grammar may be.