“Writing Resolutions” Blogpost for UMW’s Speaking and Writing Center (published 1/17/25)
Happy 2025, UMW! As we enter a new year, many of us may think about setting resolutions or intentions for the new year. New Year’s resolutions are notorious for being quickly abandoned. In fact, January 10th of this year was designated as National Quitters Day, when many have left their resolutions behind. If your resolution is still going strong, you’re already surpassing many! Resolutions are often too broad to be maintained for even a month, let alone 365 days. Let’s say you want to eat a healthier diet in 2025; instead of planning to try a new recipe each day, think about trying a new plant-based meal once a week. Sometimes a college assignment can start to feel like a grand new year’s resolution—“how will I ever get that done?” In the same way large New Year’s resolutions can be achieved in small steps, so can the assignment that’s already hanging over your head.
When it comes to writing large papers, the task at hand can feel daunting when looked at as a whole. As a result, procrastination can set in–turning drafting from what could have been a multi-week process into a stressful rush. Instead, breaking down the initial drafting process into smaller goals can make the assignment more approachable. There are a few ways of going about this, but as in any form of goal setting, it is important that your writing goals are specific and measurable. This is simpler than it sounds. If you need to make progress on an assignment, schedule out time to get the project or paper completed in chunks; when blocking this out be specific. Instead of writing “work on paper,” write “outline” or “get introduction done.” This will break the paper down into smaller tasks that feel less overwhelming. When you sit down to work on your paper, remove distractions by finding a quiet space and putting your phone away and on do not disturb. Then, simply set a timer for however long you want to work on your paper (45 minutes or an hour is often best). Once the timer is up, take a break! Writing can be a long process, and that’s why having small goals helps. Lastly, make an appointment at the SWC! Having an appointment on your calendar will help motivate you to work on your paper and we’re here to help you through the process. If by the appointment you have not made the progress you want, you can still utilize the appointment to help make progress on the paper and set your next goals. Even if you need someone to talk through the assignment guidelines with, we are still happy to help you get started.
Questions Created for Class Discussion on Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons (February 2025 for course: Women and Modernism)
- In Objects (as well as Food) Stein bounces from titling her sections with specific objects such as, “A New Cup and Saucer” or “Colored Hats,” to very general, almost undefinable headings such as “More” or “A Frightful Release.” Still, these are all under the section titled objects. How do you feel about Stein’s inclusion of these vague headings? What do you think she is trying to say through this?
- (Follow up question to co-discussion leader’s question) Stein’s repetition of questions is indeed requiring readers to reconsider why things exist the way they do. How is this reflective of modernist literature as well as women’s roles in this time? How does Stein’s role as a woman writer as well as a lesbian play into this?
- On the surface, this work is concentrating on exploring the domestic—which at the time it was written and arguably still today, is largely associated with women. Why do you think Stein chose “Objects,” “Food,” and “Rooms” as the sections? Do you think it is directly connected to her gender identity? Her sexuality?
- In class, we referred to Tender Buttons as a poetry collection. Spahr’s afterward refers to it as a novel? How would you personally categorize the work’s genre? Does thinking about the genre change the way you think about the work?