The Writing Drive

Drive is a force, a guide, an urge, an impelling, a cause to move. Drive has many meanings that
led me to connect it to my theory of writing, Drive that propels Writing. English Composition has
reintroduced writing to me in a broader perspective and which I was unacquainted before. In this
Writing Project, I want to discern the learning I have accumulated so far. Let me take you for a drive,
my writing drive.
When I first started this course, all I knew about writing was transferring the thoughts I have in
my head on somewhere I could read over and over again. All I have to do was think, let my pen
scribble these thoughts and images on a paper until I can move whatever I have composed to a word
processor. I will also gather my writing aid: a dictionary, thesaurus, open windows in the computer for
some quick research, and some nuts or chocolates. Refilling my serving of the latter takes no effort,
but finding that peace one aims in finishing a writing, in reaching a level of perfection or at least,
satisfaction, will take hours if not days. I am not a writer in its' indicative meaning, just an occasional
journal keeper, a casual blogger, a habitual letter writer to my intimate relations and a contributor to a
small newspaper magazine for our ethnic community in the country where I presently reside. I do
dream though, to write more, and well.
Writing is not easy but I think the hardest part is how to even start, as in starting the car engine
in a cold winter. Once the drive starts, writing itself is easier. The first listed outcome in the WPA
Outcome Statement is Rhetorical Knowledge. In any composition, for it to become substantial is to
identify first what will make the writing. The Purpose in doing it, who will be the Audience, and how
must I consider its format and overall presentation as a Text. In being aware of these Rhetorical
Concepts and understanding their interweaving connection to one another, I can prod my blank mind or
fast track my slow thinking mind in starting a draft. In Writing Journal #16, I have identified a group

of people to interview for my Writing Project #2, Autoethnography. I went to Kyoto Cathedral and
have found them, but in reflecting about my intention or purpose, a rhetorical concept, which is to
expand on the reason why my countrymen in Japan go to churches, I have realized that I cannot write
much about it. Not even quite starting I right away gave up on the idea on how I can add a deeper story
to it.

I know I have applied two Habits of Mind of Mind in this, and I am not quite sure if I have used it
correctly. Metacognition which is also Reflection had opened my thinking that I could not provide

depth on the topic and had chosen to write on another topic instead. On the other hand, if I gave more
time and maybe even more work and reflection, I could have used Creativity to spin luster in a
seemingly dull subject. Was this failure in my part to use rhetoric? This drives me nuts! I have found
out, that Outcomes are not just intended to be used as a one-way street, the drive can detour. When
time is of the essence and one can have a choice, Rhetorical Knowledge is a great intersection which
offers different routes for a writer to drive to a clearer destination.
The second Outcome is Critical Thinking. The change in my topic for WP# 2 was also a drive
from Critical Thinking. The little time I had that time to finish the project pushed me to analyze my
situation. I would not be able to beat the deadline if I lack the drive to write. When I decided to reflect
on another topic and having pinpointed my purpose, I knew the drive was triggered. Images from a
relevant past right away filled me with enthusiasm and activated in me recollections of the many actual
observations I did in this part of my life. I did not at all deviate from my initial subject of religion but
only turned to an exigence I had more directly participated in. I conducted my research by email. The
responses were quick and gave me enough time for analysis and interpretation. I want to quote one of
my response that placed a heart in my essay, I felt someonehuggingmenotonlyus,but
alsoeveryone at there. Then, I thought it is maybeGODI ..... 1 Subsequently, I researched on the
internet too to expand more on my essay composition of Writing Project #2.
Process is Outcome 3. If I used to have this traffic in my brain whenever I write before, in
arranging my thoughts and neatly articulating them on a paper, the six weeks in this course had given
me access to an easier flow. What made it so? I became conscious of the Outcomes. Starting my
thought process by reflective thinking and of seeing a subject as a Rhetorical Situation. I can patiently
arrange the outpouring of my thoughts by asking myself specific questions with regards to first, the
rhetorical concepts and next, all through the writing, be aware of reflection. Writing Process is a drive,
1

Exact wording of my Japanese interviewee

how do I get to the end, completely, smoothly and perfectly is the presence in the mind, of the learning
I have gained so far. The aspects of writing: Invention, Research, Drafting, Sharing, Revising in
response to reviews, and Editing, these Writing Processes are for me my trips in this drive, and Writing
Project # 2 was my destination, Religions in a Catholic School in Japan.
Knowledge of Conventions or Outcome 4. When we were given the assignment Writing Project
#1, I was nervous and excited at the same time. My last step in an office was about fifteen years ago
that technology is something I did not care anymore, I never had the need to use them. This Course
have made me checked and researched on new terms which almost scared me but I can only be grateful
for the know-hows. Hyperlinks? Multimodal texts, screenshots., MLA and APA Standards. I was
ignorant of these concepts. It was a rough drive, these new terminologies to me were the bumps on the
road. It feels very good to learn them though and there are just many more things I need to know
about. Right now my head is spinning in reviewing the outcomes, I reached the end of the road, for
now. I need to clear some paths. The concept of intellectual property and everything else connected
with this topic is one on the many things I still have to learn. I have been enjoying the drive and I want
to do more trips, even accelerate my speed.
To summarize my theory, if outcomes are habitually practiced in writing, the words which will
shape the concepts borne from our mind can more easily be extracted and we will have a firmer grip on
our purpose in writing, Rhetorical Concepts. Our work will have a more solid foundation from all the
other work like Research and Analysis that will accompany the arranging of thoughts and its
composition, Critical Thinking. In our execution of these concepts, we will learn how to work together
with other minds, allowing us an unending road of discoveries and more learning, Processes. In the
materialization of all these we will have conformed to accepted standards, Knowledge of Conventions.
As Outcomes are drives that bring a writing to a realization, the drive to write is also taught and
coached by the Outcomes of the Writing Program Association.