Tucci 1

Michael Tucci
Professor Brenda Refaie
English 1000
November 19, 2015
Theory of Writing
I came into English 1000 with a year off school. So, the only possible idea I had for my
own theory of writing is based off my senior year of high school english class. My theory of
writing before English 1000 was undeveloped. I was taught to be straightforward in my papers
like not to present others thoughts on the topic which limited me to very little knowledge on how
to write my papers. Now, nearing the end of the semester for English 1000, my theory of writing
has developed through class work, They Say/ I Say, and essays. My theory of writing has
evolved greatly from the beginning of the semester to the end. My definition for my own theory
of writing is that when presented with a writing assignment try to use a little bit of every piece of
knowledge known about writing and implement it into the assignment.

My theory of writing evolved through class work. Throughout the semester Professor
Refaie taught me new information to add or to think about when writing an assignment. Her
examples throughout class help fill the void I had about how to develop my theory writing. For
example, she taught me how to use others thoughts in my own writing. The reason for this was
because it gives a writer a reason to be discussing or arguing the topic in the first place.
Basically, it gives the essay a purpose. Another class work teaching she preached was the
audience for a paper. Throughout the semester she touched upon audience and how it shapes a
paper. In talking about my theory of writing, it taught me how to change my tone of voice and

Tucci 2

word selection with each writing assignment. These are just some of the many class works that
developed my theory of writing. Furthermore, these class works were usually reflected through
They Say/I Say which I will talk about next.

They Say/I Say evolved my theory of writing even more than class work. More
specifically, it built more upon my knowledge I gained from class work and provided more ideas
and examples. I could create knowledge from these ideas and examples which help further
develop my theory of writing. As I previously stated, presenting other's positions on the topic in
my paper was taught to me from Professor Refaie, but it also came from the book even in more
detail. For example, in class she would teach us about introducing others views, but in the book
it offered several templates or scenarios for introducing others views. These extra examples not
only created more knowledge for myself, but also evolved my theory of writing because it added
a little bit of knowledge for me to add into my theory. From class work to They Say/I Say leads
me into my final point which is essays.

Essays is another way my theory of writing evolves. Also, I believe essays has
contributed most to my theory of writing because it brings all knowledge together. Almost like a
test. For example, for my unit 3 essay I had to write about my own topic to write about. In my
paper I had different ideas throughout the semester combines into one in the paper. I had
critiquing of an article, summarizing, others opinions, who cares, and a lot more bits of
knowledge that reflects my theory of writing.
1. his essay is well organized, has well developed ideas.
2. to inform you of how his theory has developed
3. i would finish editing, run a spell check and include a work cited