Mackenzie Souders

Mr. Borrero
ENGL 1101
4 October 2011
Auto-Ethnography
When Iirst assigned this project I just imagined how stupid I was going to look on
camera. Then the more I thought about it I realized that it would look just about normal Ior
someone who was watching me write this paper. The only diIIerence is that I would not be
talking to them about this paper. So we`ll see how this goes.
So when I start to write a paper or an essay that will take me a substantial amount oI time
I like to do a Iew things to get me mentally prepared Ior it. First oII I have to make sure that I
have eaten something. II I do not eat then I tend to get up every Iew minutes to go downstairs
and Iind something to eat which gets really annoying. The next thing that I usually do is make
sure that I have access to paper, pencil, and a computer. On paper it`s easy Ior me to edit things
without really having to erase it and this way I can keep my thoughts together. AIter Iinding my
paper I will usually try to Iind a comIortable place to do this, usually in my bonus room at my
dad`s poker table or at the kitchen table. I will write down ideas on paper just as sort oI a little
brainstorming thing. II it is earlier in the day I will usually leave the door slightly open because
my parents normally yell at me to do laundry or dishes or something. I always have my cell
phone with me and its not on vibrate so it doesn`t buzz the table which will probably annoy me.
Whenever I sit down to write I Iind that I always turn the tv on to see what is on and I usually
always Iind a sports event. It`s really Iunny because I don`t purposely look Ior a sports event but
iI I have something else on then I cannot concentrate. It`s easy Ior me to listen to the action and
the commentators than Ieeling like I have to watch every second oI it.
While I am writing I Iind that it`s easy Ior me to write something when I have some kind
oI distraction. Whether it is my cell phone or Iacebook or my parents or whatever. II I do not
have something to distract me I Iind that I end up sitting in silence and I do not like silence. It
sounds weird but having something to distract me actually keeps me Iocused. I am always aware
oI how long the paper needs to be, like iI it`s two pages then I know I need a good amount oI
inIormation but not necessarily too much inIormation. II it`s more than two pages then I know
that I need more research or more opinions Irom stuII I`ve read or seen. When I write something
I always have to write it out on paper Iirst so that I can erase my mistakes while still keeping my
thoughts there. I usually write out enough notes or a Iirst draIt to get me started on my topic.
When I Iinish my writing I will go ahead and type it up. Once I type it up I will save it
beIore I do any spell checks or editing. Then I will open it up again and do my editing. When I
take a break I usually go eat something or I watch tv with my mom and dad iI it`s late at night. I
will also go to the bathroom or start on some other kind oI homework just to keep me interested.
When I am Iinally Iinished with everything I Ieel really relieved. I Ieel like a weight has been
liIted oII my shoulders.
I hate writing anything that requires me to be creative. I don`t have a very big
imagination and I do not like making up stories. I need to write about something that I personally
know oI or I can Iind the Iacts Ior it. I do not like research papers because they are very time
consuming but I would rather write one than try to come up with a poem or a children`s story.
!oems are not my thing. I cannot make things rhyme Ior the liIe oI me. I Ieel like I am pretty
good at writing under pressure because I know I have to get it done beIore a certain time. While
it stresses me out I Ieel very relieved.