Entry #2 Writing Instruction

I am a terrible writer and I believe I always have been. During my elementary school years, I recall writing and then editing over and over and over again. I never remember being particularly proud of anything I wrote and just wanted to get it over with. That attitude has carried over in to my adult education and my frustrations are still here. I write to get the work done and rarely reread or have someone else edit my writing. 

The writing I received in grade school was much like a traditional writing classroom. The teacher taught specific skills and writing styles with a finished product being the goal. I never was given the opportunity to just write or use my own ideas without receiving a writing prompt. I remember being told to use specific words like first, next, and then or making sure you have some description of each of the five senses with in the paper. I never understood the writing process or else I think I would take more time with my writing and edit or even reread what I write. I especially remember receiving grades on everything I ever wrote. I specifically remember one instance where my teacher made me redo a paper several times and eventually I took the sentences from a friends paper, who received a high grade, and was still asked to redo my paper. I never felt confident enough in my writing to share it with anyone and that still sticks with me today. 

I believe I would have benefited more within a classroom of process writing and would have made me a better writer as an adult. Learning the process of writing and even the whys of writing, would help me in creating written pieces.