Observing contrast:
If you are involved in a math or science course of any type, solve a problem given to you by your instructor. You can also select a problem that's in your math text. This could be current or something offered in the past. As you work on the problem, take note of how your mind works to solve the problem.
Now reflect on a composition effort you've made in this class. Go back over a paper you've written or a blog entry. See if you can observe a difference in how you thought about the intellectual process involved in writing vs. that of solving a mathematical problem.
Find one or two differences and contrast them. How are they different?
Note to students not in a math course:
Here is a problem for you to solve:
A census taker goes to a house for some information. The lady says she has 3 kids, and the product of their ages is 36. The sum of their ages is equal to the address next door. He goes
and comes back for more information and she says the oldest one is asleep upstairs. What are their ages?
Note to everyone: you might take note of the similarities, too, just in case the same question is asked tomorrow about similaries.
