ALEJANDRO ARCAY

ENC1101
DISCUSSION POST
PRIOR
In the passage "Tracing Process: How Texts Come into Being" by Paul Prior, we are
introduced with a more in-depth analysis regarding the processes we go through when writing.
It's very important to understand why it is we write a certain way such as where it came from,
why we wrote it and how we could improve it. Throughout this passage, we are taken on a
journey through every thought process that we may or may not have experienced before, during
and after text is put on paper. Though we may not think that we go through these steps before the
pen hits the paper, one may be astounded on how much of this information is accurate.
According to Prior, a written excerpt starts out with ideas. Ideas that generate in day to day
activities such as going to the gym, at school or even in the bathroom. In everyday usage,
"writing" signifies two distinct acts which are inscription and composing (Prior, 494). Inscription
is literally the physical part of it. That is, actually writing the words down. Composition can be
both physical and mental from writing down ideas to coming up with them in your head and
organizing them. It is also said that when people talk about "text," there are several different
senses that we should be aware of to avoid confusion (Prior, 495). For instance, when we come
up with an idea or sentence in our mind and then reject it. It's critical in keeping some sort of
record of all the "text" that happens mentally and verbally in order to have an abundant amount
of information to work with. "Text" can be a pretty general term when it comes to writing
especially since there are so many versions of it. For example, source texts, initiating texts,
contextual records and intertextual analysis.
Another method that Prior attempts to convey is the concurrent protocol which is basically
speaking aloud processes and ideas going on in your head. Another method that Prior includes is
recall, which is solely based on the retrieval of recent ideas and processes. This method tends not
to work since the human mind tends to forget no matter how recent the idea was. Lastly, we
come across process logs. In my opinion, the best method there is. That is, by writing things
down the second you come up with them to assure yourself that you won't forget.
After reading this passage, it really shows us how intricate and detailed our thought processes
are. What we thought was just "think about it" and "write it down" is far underestimated after
reading this. This can show many readers that the thought process can be put to use just a little
more with the help of Paul Prior. By using some of his methods, we can preserve and use
information in a more effective manner.
Prior, Paul. "Tracing Process: How Texts Come into Being." Writing About Writing: A College
Reader. Eds. Wardle and Downs. 2nd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. 492-526. Print.
-----------Reply-----------I couldn't agree with you more Jasmin. The writing process is far more complex than we
would ever make it out to be. It's pretty amazing as to the steps we go through in writing any sort
of text down on paper isn't it? By tracing a text from where it came from and why we wrote it, it
gives us a deeper understanding as to why we write the way we do. Writing shouldn't be so
superficial, but knowing exactly how we came about it. By accomplishing this, we can grasp the
underline meaning of Paul Prior's way of thinking.