he's like/ she goes

I'm enjoying TS/IS more and more the more and more I read it. :) This week "'Ain't So/ Is Not': Academic Writing Doesn't Mean Setting Aside Your Own Voice" brought up a few interesting points. Graff and Birkenstein discuss the idea of academic language compared to colloquial language. So many times i have encountered people, and this in regular conversation, that apologize to me because they use slang or colloquial speech. They are apologizing because they know that I am majoring in English and they equate that with the need to use proper "standard" English. At first this causes a furrowed brow appearance on my face, but I am quick to smirk and explain that if all of my studies have taught me one thing, it is that my love of language does not rest in the high academic language I have learned to interpret, but rather the twists, turns, and various creations that language has to offer. So, when Graff and Berkenstein suggests to mix up our writing, I find it charming. I also find it a good reminder. Like so many of the excerpts we've looked at in this book, this chapter gives me a renewed beginners mind. I feel fortunate that I am taking this class now in my fifth quarter, as I begin to work on my Thesis, as I hope to bring a bit of passion and fun into my writing again. 

When I first started my Masters program, a friend of mine said that he hoped it wouldn't take my love of writing away. I didn't understand what he meant. But lately I have felt that I was pushing out text that didn't come from reflection or meaning. I have always said that writing is very personal for me, but I have feared that I may have lost that connection. Somehow this silly little book, selling us great ideas, has caused some movement inside of my brain. That, combined with the process of this blog, makes me mighty thankful.