Tyler+Gwatney+First+Essay

Tyler Gwatney Dr. Vanderslice WRTG 1310 September 13, 2011

Good writing possesses the ability to effectively portray the ideas and emotions intended by the author. The author must use language that will be understood by the target audience. It wouldn’t be very effective to use an elaborate series of three syllable words in a pamphlet intended to persuade a middle school class to attend an afterschool activity. In contrast, using elementary vocabulary in a bill being proposed in Congress would be inappropriate and likely leave loopholes that allow contortion of the bill’s true meaning. It is important for an author to adapt his or her writing to the situation for which it is intended. There are many components that an author must consider to ensure clear communication to his or her perspective audience including, language choice, sentence style, and voice. For example, the President’s speeches are written much more densely than a children’s novel. Some situations may warrant a more objective approach, such as a lab report, while a reflective essay in a literature class may require you to slow down and expound more on your ideas. With the subjective nature of the topic, “good writing” can’t be defined as one particular style or genre; however, “good writing” across all genres share similar qualities.

Sentence style is another characteristic that is determined by situation and can have a profound effect on quality of writing. In my opinion, the best writing gets the most impact with fewer words, using complex words that efficiently and accurately get the point across. This strategy is debatable, as one of the most storied authors of the English language, Charles Dickens, meanders his way through his sentences, digressing in a series of descriptive phrases that paint a picture of the setting and characters. A more matter-of-fact approach may be more beneficial in a piece of scientific writing, where the goal is to express information and deduce facts, while an elongated style would be good for depicting the subtle actions in a fiction novel that let the reader know more about how the character really feels. Voice also can affect how readers perceive what they read. As voice plays a crucial role in determining the meaning of a song, the way a writer says what he or she says can influence what the reader will think about what he or she just said. In a history paper summarizing the French Revolution, the writing should have an objective voice, while a citizen that is writing a letter to his or her state representative opposing a bill will have a much more biased assertive voice. Combining all these parts in the right balance based on the situation for which the writing is intended, is what determine the quality of the writing.

As I have accumulated a more extensive wealth of knowledge throughout my academic career I have been able to notice qualities that appeal to me in the pieces I have read. It has been these that have shaped my view on quality writing for the most part. Watching speeches given by former United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave me valuable insight into how to articulate yourself and how to effectively arrange words to get more out of them. My High School teacher, Mr. Burnham, taught me a lot about the content aspect of writing. He taught a transcendentalism unit that I was really interested in, and that made me think about how writing could represent the human element as a whole. That class exposed me to many subtle nuances in writing and witty quotes that I had never before noticed. I feel that the skills I picked up in that class have better allowed me to better interpret many different types of media. When I listen to music now, I listen much more closely to the lyrics, and delve into the metaphors and what the underlying messages are. When watching movies, I often notice undertones or social messages that the movie could be symbolizing. These skills will be invaluable tools in understanding the full meaning of the things I read and putting more meaning into the things that I write.

I see my view on quality writing as something that has been developing as long as I have been cognizant of what I have been viewing or reading. This renaissance of thought took place around the time I began to question the existence of Santa Claus. I remember feeling a strong sense of deception and skepticism that sparked a veracious curiosity, and perhaps a little cynicism. From that point in my life I began to take a deeper understanding and tried to learn all that I can from what I read. So with that perspective, I am hesitant to say that four weeks in a class can have a dramatic effect on my opinion of “good writing”, but that’s not to say I am against learning new information. With every new thing I learn, I feel my perspective changes. New information must be taken into account to enhance the accuracy and depth of my opinions. In this class I have learned a great deal about writing as a process and how the process of writing can effect what you write. The authors in this chapter have seemed to encourage natural writing, as opposed to forced composition, and with my interest in psychology, I can see some psychological principles to support that. Thoughts are stimulated by connections with the environment. If one is in an already familiar with that environment, he or she will be aware of the surroundings and will likely have thoughts or ideas attached to the things in the room or area. If one was able to connect these thoughts with the subject of the writing at some fundamental level, his or her preconceived ideas could provide a head start in developing an insightful opinion on his or her subject. Being a liberal at heart, I feel being open-minded is an invaluable quality, so I look forward to gaining a more broadened perspective throughout the class.