Yifei Du (Cathy)

12/9/2014

Wr100 Professor Kim

Introductory Essay–From Macro to Micro

“Food for Thought”, which is taught by Professor Kim, is a writing class about food and how food connects people to the world. I choose this topic-based class because I think food is important for our lives since it provides us sufficient nutrition and makes us feel satisfied. I used to think that this class would teach us how to cook, help us to better understand the ingredients of food or let us share our experience about food. But after I finish it, I realize that food has more profound meanings for human, such as involving some health problems and exploring people’s creativity. The concept of food in my mind becomes more and more specific and therefore the words and topics that I choose become more and more precise. So in my opinion, the thing that I learn most in this writing class is to think and write in a more specific way.

Firstly, I want to show my progress from the “thinking” phase. I used to think that people who live in different areas would have different taste or different preference towards food, but I didn’t recognize that they would also have different attitudes toward “child food”. I have an interview with Jasper who is a Japanese American. He tells me that “child food” is no different from “junk food” since western parents don’t pay much attention to the diet of their children when they raise their children. I know that most parents in China care a lot about the diet of their children. They keep their children away from unhealthy food and they even create special menus, which contains more vegetables, less meat and less salt. “I think more and more western parents should pay attention to the diet of their children. They should not allow their children to optionally eat junk food. Instead, they should show how unhealthy the fast food is and control the times that their children try to eat. If they can learn from Chinese parents to cook a special menu for their children, they may keep their children away from the obesity and illness.” (From paper1) This simple interview with Jasper at the beginning of the writing class lets me know that “food” can involve a lot of topics and these topics can inspire us to think in a more specific way.

Food can not only involves the health problem but also helps people to explore their creativity. I find this meaning since I have an interview with the woman chef-Dawn who works in Rize Bakery.“What impresses me most is when students ask Dawn if she has any favorite chef, she said, “No. I think it’s all about art. As a chef, you want to try different flavors and different colors. You want your art become popular and exquisite.” She treats cooking as a very serious thing instead of just feeding people.” (From my writing exercise) I didn’t exactly know the interest and fun that chefs have, but now I know they love cooking not because they want to own high salaries but because they want their customers happy so they try to make a change constantly.

Then, I want to show my progress from the “writing” phase. I pay more attention to my detailed description and argument. I still remember when I first go to Tatte Café I just observe some superficial things and write them down. For example, “Some instruments are delicate and expensive.” “The server is gentle.” “Tables are small for just two or three people.” “Menu is excellent with a fix of middle eastern and transitional brunch items.” (From paper3-first draft) I simply write down my objective description about the environment of Tatte Café by using some straightforward words and sentences. But before submitting my final paper, I go to Tatte Café on my own and have a really serious observation. Then I focus on my word choosing and write some details by using some sophisticated words. “The atmosphere of Tatte is incredible since the owner clearly has an eye for details. Handwritten chalkboard menu is the first thing that comes into my sight. Then the lights along the ceiling, the beautifully bloomed dahlias along the tables, and the arrangement of all the pastries are also super-unique. The branding of “Tatte” is on mugs, napkins and pastry packing. Even the Wi-Fi passcode is printed on little sheets of paper to the corner of every table. It’s really sweet when I find it. Tatte café always has great music playing. The music is soft and cozy, letting you want to stay for longer and longer.” (From paper3-final draft) Focusing on detailed description makes my essay become exquisite and lets my readers have more interests to read it.

I also learn to narrow down my topic when I have a conference with Professor Kim. When I finish watching the movie “Eat Drink Man Women”, I focus on a very general topic “Communication & Love” in my first draft. I analyze different types of love in the movie but I don’t have a compelling argument and sufficient evidences.  “All daughters prefer to announce instead of communicating and that’s why their soul are leaving gradually. We see a lot of types of love in this film and I believe that each relationship has its own meaning.” (From paper2-first draft) I talk with Professor Kim and she tells me to connect words “unexpected relationship” “desire” “never communicate” “make an announcement” “shock” together. And I finally get my interesting and compelling claim: “…So making an announcement is a good way for characters to express their improper and unexpected behaviors.” (From paper3-final draft)

I was so surprised at my changes through this one semester. Although I can also feel my improvement at grammar, paraphrasing and organizing the whole essay, what I have learned most is to make my trains of thought and my models of writing more and more specific. I know that macroscopic thoughts indeed help us to build a clear organization of paper, but what make our essays adorable and fabulous are details. Narrowing down the topic and focusing on the description really develop my mentality and writing. I know that there are a lot of things I need to improve so I hope I can learn more in WR150 to perfect my writing skills. Last but not least, thank you my dear professor Kim for giving me so much helps and patiences. You teach me a lot of things that benefit my writing and my life.