Invention Process

“Invention”

The invention process to any good piece of literature involves re-thinking and re-writing of initial ideas to improve upon previous concepts. My first attempt at discovering a thesis for the Explaining Relationships Essay seemed to be too broad, leaving me without public resonance. There was not a noticeable struggle through the invention process, because most of the questions asked in the book aiding in invention can be answered without a relevant thesis. Simply exploring the meaning behind my writing was the portion (and most important) part of the invention process I struggled with. For the most part, my own intellect created or invented those initial ideas; however, this lead me to wonder if my paper had any relevance. Discouraged, I showed up for class on the usual discussion day (that everyone thinks is useless) and ran my ideas across the heads of my peers and teacher. We met in groups and discussed our topics with one another. This interaction seemed to work for me when my partner and I thought we stumbled across a possible topic for my paper and introduced it to my teacher, who in turn gave us some more valuable information and ideas. As I constructed the new thesis for my essay I came to the conclusion that it was not too far off from my original, and self proclaimed, useless topic. By simply seeking the advice of others, I had narrowed my thought process and finally settled on a topic for the paper I was to begin re-inventing.

I came to find out we would be taking a trip to the library to learn how to research other literature for our invention process and works consulted page; how ironic. What use is learning how to research a particular topic when you have already completed the work to be turned in? The actual idea of researching other work for a non-research paper boggles my mind. In this type of academic writing we are critiqued on public resonance and thinking outside the box or inventing “new” ideas. How can a person introduce a new idea or deeper meaning to an everyday relationship when his or her invention process is “consulted” from another writer’s work? In my opinion, the ideas gathered from peers and instructors are not the same as sources gathered from other works, because a writer can interact with his or her peers. This interaction extinguishes the possibility of plagiarism and ultimately forces the writer to actually invent his or her own ideas.

While this peer interaction was the key to my re-invention process, many students found the library visit to be beneficial. My own take on the noise making session offered by Michelle was utter repulsion. I felt as though the tuition I was paying to attend college was being wasted by this person’s salary. On a lighter note, this essay is not intended to be a rant. The library does contain many books and services available to the public that would enable a writer to gain insight and knowledge, but would be best used before a paper is ready to be turned in. I did learn a few things from Michelle, for example, I did not know that