I decided to respond to this quote
One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best.
I think that this quote applies not only to this class with writing our papers but also to life in general. We are all biased. This is why it is so hard to take negative criticism. Our way is the only way we know how to perform. It is hard to step out of our comfort zones, but it can be done.
It is a personal insult when your paper is ripped apart. I know personally that I have handed in papers before that I thought were master pieces and gotten them back with red ink marks everywhere. I think that this really lowers the writer’s confidence because they feel that they did not do a good job. I really like how we have been taught to point out the positive aspects of the paper in this class that way the writer can see that their paper is not hopeless.
I think we need to all try to see others perspectives. I know that this is challenging sometimes because it is human nature to think that your way is the right way. Some of us are worse then others but it is important to not think that you are right all the time. Not only is it annoying but it keeps you from growing and learning. If I never listened to all the tips that my teachers gave me to help me improve, I would not be here today. There would be no improvements and school would be pointless.
Being stubborn is a quality that many people share. I come from a family of extremely stubborn people. We all want our way all the time. Normally, we compromise and come together to make decisions but we have to remember that sometimes we are wrong. Being wrong is never a bad thing though because the best way to learn is by making mistakes.
Growing up my sister was beyond stubborn. You could not teach her anything without her crying because she didn't like to be wrong. Luckily as she has gotten older she takes criticism a lot better. This blog post is true though. It takes a strong person to sit their and listen to someone critique your paper. At first it was kind of awkward, but I like hearing other people's opinions. I think the workshops are helping me become a better writer because we all have different views and techniques we can share.
ReplyDeleteIts real hard to consider other peoples perspectives. The second you read something you automatically see it from your perspective but once someone tells you to look from the other side then its not that bad. You can put yourself in their shoes and then re read the story. I think its kind of fun to be in someone else's view fro a couple of minuets. But then again we can never fully see someone’s perspective because its not ours. We look from their perspective by forming our judgments about how they would think. But do we really know how someone else would think? Its a really confusing topic but its really interesting. I love the quote because fit definitely applies to the class because we always write about person things.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should see other perspectives, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you should do what they suggest. On my paper, I see comments I do agree and some that I don't. There are also comments where they tell you to change something to this to that. But I change it to something else. I think the quote is saying that we are all narcissistic. It's human nature that we are.
ReplyDeleteThis post is so accurate. We are bias to always assume our way is the best way. However, whenever we look at others decisions we never hesitate to criticize others. It is also hard to accept criticisms for our own work or decisions. Since we often take pride in our work it is hard to listen to what's wrong with it. However, to improve on anything I believe that listening to other perspectives is the best way to go.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said. I'm pretty hard-headed, a negative quality of mine, and I work at it every day. Nobody wants to be around a stubborn person because they can never see another side of things. Just like no one wants to be around a confrontational person because who wants to think about negative things constantly? It's good to stand your ground and stick up for what you believe in, but it's totally different to fight an already lost battle. Especially when you have no idea what you are talking about lol.
ReplyDeletei agree with the fact that being stubborn is not going to get you anywhere, but i also think some criticism might not always be right. its good to take tips and advice as well as constructive criticism, but that doesn't mean it'll always be right. this topic ties in with the workshops because its crucial to get feedback in order to analyze and find ways to perfect ones writing. we wont always agree with some of the feedback but its important to take it professionally and learn to work with it to help yourself and others.
ReplyDeleteI am probably the most stubborn person I know so I've always struggled with not thinking my way was right. Since I was seven years old my dad has called me "Dr. Priscilla" because of it! I thought i knew the answers to EVERYTHING, but at least i have gotten better. I agree with you, I like how we are encouraged in class to also write positive comments. Learning to take criticism is just a hard part of human nature but with team we learn that it can be beneficial as long as we are open minded.
ReplyDeleteI really like this quote. I feel like it does pertain to our situation now in that we are forced to deal with constructive criticism we may not feel is true. In order to become a great writer we must take those comments and work with them. Whether we agree with them or not some of the statements made from others can help develop and take the piece of literature to the next level.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this. I am so stubborn. I used to hate when people would correct my writing. I've learned to be less stubborn over the years. I used to think that all the criticism that I got was personal but now I realized that it is actually constructive. I've learned to take constructive comments and use them to improve my writing instead of not using them at all. It's always good to have an opinion from someone else instead of just relying on your own.
ReplyDeleteThis quote is so very truthful. We all think that we are better, but in order to improve and to avoid being left behind in the future, we have to observe others' writing and we must criticism our own. No one likes to be wrong, its embarrassing and aggravating. However, we need to be wrong to learn from our mistakes and therefore improve. There is always room for improvement, always. That is why I like that we can peer edit others writing so that we can learn from their mistakes as well as our own. I often do not like my writing, and I definitely do not think that it is the best, but by learning from my mistakes I am becoming more comfortable and confident with it.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has their own point of view—definitely true. Sometimes I find myself being totally closed minded to another person’s point of view but other times I’m totally open. It’s weird and I don’t know why but it’s definitely something I need to work on. The crazy part of it is that sometimes I’ll listen to what someone has to say and at first I’ll think what they’re saying is completely insane. However after listening to what they have so say I often find myself understanding their point of view better than my own. So I guess one question that I’ve always had is do you need the better point of view to convince people what you’re saying is right or just a well-constructed argument?
ReplyDeleteStepping into another person's shoes can be pretty difficult sometimes especially when an opinion you have about something is so strong. But it is extremely important to look at the other persons side and see exactly where they are coming from. Writing an essay can show your bias and you can show your bias towards the essay, but to other people, they might either not agree with your point or they just simply might not be able to understand what you are trying to say. It is important to listen to other people and take their advice sometimes even though you might feel a little uncomfortable with it. Just step outside of the box and you might like the little bit of change you experience.
ReplyDeleteWe are all biased, judgmental, prejudice, ect. Yes i said prejudice, and get offended by this statement. If you'd like to talk to me about it outside of this blog i am happy to do so. I don't think that everyone dislikes negative criticism. I've come to understand it over the years and take it in, because i've learned that other people have complete opposite points of views as i do, which is fine, everyone has a right to their own opinion. I will happily listen to anyones criticism about anything of mine, because from there i take it in, process it, and then compare it to my beliefs, way of thinking ect, and if i need to make a change i make a change if not then i don't. So i say take negative criticism with open arms and don't get insulted as people are only trying to help.
ReplyDeleteI am as stubborn as they come, and sometimes i just will not back down and that's just how it is. But i've eased up on that a good bit since i was younger as i know that i am by no means always right. So open your mind up to a liberal way of thinking from time to time and it'll usually do you some good, but if you don't agree with it, then stick to your old ways.
I'm actually going to disagree. While we should accept criticism and learn from it, saying nobody's ways are best is leaning into the realm of relativism. Relativism is the belief that "Your truth may be true for you, but it's not true for me." This might be true at times, but to say there are no universal truths is a bold statement. Sometimes being stubborn is necessary.
ReplyDeleteIdk if its just me, but I go into every workshop assuming that its the worst paper I ever wrote. That way I can really take in all the criticism. Not only that, but when the positives are pointed out its easier to see how the things you do well stand out to the reader. If everyone agrees what your best writing is, you dont have to judge it for yourself. This makes grading alot easier!!
ReplyDeleteI always have been a little stubborn. I'm not nearly as bad as i once was, but i do like to be right (like everyone). I agree though that these workshops are very helpful. i used to not know what to say but i am getting the hang of it. The criticism i have gotten has been helpful and positive feedback. It never seems negative. It is just stuff we can improve on. It is very helpful and i am not stubborn because of it.
ReplyDeleteI really like that quote. I agree that in order to learn in life, you're going to have to make mistakes. Stubborn people run in my family, too and just like with them, you have to learn to compromise. Thinking your way is the right way is just ignorant; especially in college. Being here has opened up my thoughts so much more! You get to hear other view points from people you normally wouldn't talk to and sometimes they change your thoughts. However, myself included, have thought my way was the right way. Who doesn't sometimes? But we always have to think back and listen to the other person's views and where they're coming from. Who knows, it might change how you think.
ReplyDeleteI dont know what I think about this quote. Yes we all think that our way is right. But saying that we shouldn't think we are right all of the time is a little weird for me. If we don't think we are right then what are we supposed to think? That we are wrong all of the time? Come on. I understand and completely agree with this blog when it says that we should be open to other peoples perspectives. We definitely should. But the only way to do that is to think we are right and then be told otherwise. Sometimes us thinking we are right will make other people see our perspective and believe that we are right and they are wrong. Or they will agree to disagree. We all have our own opinions on things. Sometimes there is no correct opinion. But that doesn't mean I'm going to think that you are right when I believe that I am. That's just life.
ReplyDeleteI think that the majority of the time you think that your way is best but sometimes it is more beneficial to try things someone else's way. When I was in art class in high school I would always observe the way other people were painting. If I know that I am not very good at something, like painting, I am always open to other people's ideas. If they are a good painter or writer obviously they know something that I don't.
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