Chapter 10: "Oppositions frequently gain in power from being different only in content or idea but in tone or level as well" (p. 97). This a good definition of oppositions and represents the point the author is trying to get across. In writing I never thought of oppositions so literally if I even thought of them at all. When the author analyzed the oppositions in the story of the girl and her dad I was caught off guard by how many oppositions actually were in that story. I gained a more open mind and more awareness to oppositions in passages.
Chapter 11: "The child can never know what the adult completely or the adult the child, but in the act of writing the writer momentarily constructs a bridge" (p. 116). I took Early American lit. and Later English lit. last year noticed how big a role children play in a lot of famous writer's works. William Blake talked about how in order to achieve "the highest experience" a person had to bridge together their childhood innocence and adult experience. In "The Scarlett Letter", the child, Pearl, acted as the voice of reason by criticizing the actions of adults and society in general. Both views of adult and child are different perspectives that bridge together.
Chapter 12: The author talks about repetition in words, but do the same rules apply to techniques like alliteration or consonance? Some writers have used these and does it make the writing more effective or does it make it sound too repetitive?
Chapter 10: "Sometimes we say a few words to each other about day's happenings, but my roommates seem as far from me as the people who sit outside the windows of my study room in the library. They walk past my life silently. I see them for one minute or one year, but in time I won't see them at all. And I won't miss them. I like them now, but then I won't care" (p.95). I really liked this piece of writing because I felt that it told a lot about the writer. I liked the oppositions she used, by comparing the dorm room and library room. It told the reader that her roommates and strangers are the same to her personally. Shes as close to her roommates as she is to strangers.
Chapter 11: "Consider the openings to all the papers you've written. They should open the story-swing open, and let the reader in" (p.125). I found this interesting and helpful for my next papers. I guess the title does tell the reader about the facts of the paper and within in the paper is the meaning.
Chapter 12: "Repetition can comfort or bore, clarify or confuse, astound or outrage"(p.30). I feel that this chapter was helpful for me to read because I feel that I repeat myself a lot in my writing."Avoidance of repetition sometimes leads writers to silly substitutions for a key word in a passage" (p.132).I feel that I do this a lot in my writing. I don't want to keep repeating something so I use another word or phase to cover for the fact that I don't keep saying the exact word again.
Chapter 10: “All three of the Blooms were too polite not to have gone all out to admire a sledful of gifts dumped into the middle of their living room by a guest as greedy for appreciation as I was” (108). This quote from “Not Another Word” by Richard Thurman stood out to me as a good oppostion statement. The boy felt completely underappreciated by his own parents. They didn’t get down on the floor to play with his new gifts as Robert’s parents did. At the same time, however, his parents bought him more gifts that also cost more money. The boy, Paul, did not recognize this as a form of appreciation because it was not the kind he wanted.
Chapter 12: “Avoidance of repetition sometimes leads writers to silly sustitutions for a key word in a passage” (132). I agree with this point, in that it can sometimes get confusing if an author changes the word for something multiple times throughout a piece of writing. It may be hard, however, to pick one word and use it the whole time without making the piece sound very repetitive. As in the example of the book, using the word cats all the time could lead to boring repetition, so it would take a lot of revising the sentence structure to eliminate it when possible.
Chapter 11: “Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall – not always, but usually” (116). How much time and in what instances? How would a writer know if they need more time in order to write a better piece?
“Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You’ll find suddenly that you’re wiser than you thought.” page 92 I thought that this statement was a great summary of the chapter. I have never really thought about oppositions in my writing, but I think that eliminating them will definitely help.
“Consider the openings to all the papers you’ve written. They should open the story-swing open, and let the reader in.” page 126
I can relate to this tip entirely. I feel very strongly about the importance of a good beginning to a story. If I’m not hooked in early, I normally don’t continue reading. If the beginning of a story is boring, it sets a boring tone for the rest of the piece.
In Chapter 12 he gives an example of how to construct parallel sentences. He modifies a sentence about three children walking to school but in the end it still sounds awkward. What more should be done to the sentence?
Quote from Chapter 10: “The habit [to look for oppositions] will prevent you from oversimplifying people and processes and ideas.” (page 92) I definitely agree with this statement. A person alone has many different sides and you need to take all of them into consideration when describing and evaluating them. In other words there is always a “but.” Right now all of us are applying to colleges and as we present ourselves through our writing and through the teachers recommendations it is important to make sure that both strengths and weaknesses are shown, so that the colleges get a good sense of who we are.
Quote from Chapter 12: “Repetition can comfort of bore, clarify or confuse, astound or outrage.” (page 130) I love using repetition in my writing and I love hearing it in other writing too. Sometimes it can get annoying and boring though, especially in songs. Some of the pop songs just repeat the same thing over and over again and it drives me nuts. I have to change to another song because I cannot stand listening to the words and tune repeat for three or more minutes.
Question from Chapter 11: When I read this chapter it seemed to say you should start your writing with an interest catcher (something that grabs the readers attention quickly) and then end your writing before your story is concluded (to make a kind of cliff hanger). Is this really what you should do? Because I think that would just make the writing incomplete.
Chapter 10: “To see what’s there but invisible, to see what’s not there but expected, requires that persons are willing to oppose their habitual opinions and expectations.” Speaking of oppositions ; seeing the invisible, yeah I caught that. This is a very strong sentence and it puts the common idea that those with an open mind are the most understanding. It really is true, if you only see what you expect to, you’ll miss out on all the new stuff. It makes sense that this is relatable to writing, as some of the best writing pieces reveal a new piece of information every reading, little tidbits of information that would otherwise have been looked over because you weren’t expecting it and only let yourself read what you expected to read. Chapter12: “…if someone you dislike keeps saying he loves you, the repetition is unbearable.” Now while I can’t directly relate to the example of “I love you” I can definitely relate to this idea on repetition, and how human perspective shifts drastically depending on who is doing what. If your best friend punches you on the shoulder, you laugh at it and think something like “ha, I deserved that one.” But if that annoying kid comes up and gives you a dead arm, there’s absolutely nothing funny about it, they just became that much more annoying. It’s very difficult to ignore your preexisting relationship with a person when you interact with them. Which I think is the idea the author is trying to get at when talking about repetition, if you have correctly opened your paper up in a way that repetition would be a good fit, then go for it, however if you haven’t set it up then the repetition will seem out of place and do more bad to your paper than good. Question on Chapter11: “Consider the openings to all the papers you’ve written. They should open the story—swing open, and let the reader in.” I’ve always been told to try and attract the reader, with the first sentence being a hook of sorts to draw them in and catch the reader’s attention. Is that what this is talking about when it says that it should open the story, or is it more set towards just giving an intro that gives the reader an idea on what your paper will be about?
Chapter 10: “Most professional writing sets up oppositions that build tension and pay off in surprises.” I think that this is generally a pretty good strategy for writing. The most important thing, in my opinion, is to keep the reader entertained or at least engaged. When people are taken by surprise or encounter something they weren’t expecting they are more likely to pay attention and therefore engage themselves in the piece of writing.
Chapter 11: “If you try determinedly for truths, your story will probably help your readers get inside your childhood, and that act will put them inside theirs.” I think that reflection on childhood is a very valuable exercise given how influential of a time it was during our lives. During our earliest years our brain has to work the hardest to adjust and learn how to live in the world. Everything you see and experience shapes how you will act later in your life. Writing about your childhood is an effective way of revisiting it; often when a person writes, in my experience, they find small insights that they wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Chapter 12: Is there anyway to determine whether repetition is helpful or not objectively, or is it all up to who is reading the essay?
“He liked the fire engine so much that I wanted to give it to him, except that the idea of giving it up hurt too much.” (Pg. 108) This sentence demonstrates nicely the opposition that the author believes a good writer should have. The boy notices he has a wonderful gift but he also notices he doesn’t want to part with it. These are two separate ideas brought together even though they have an opposite meaning. Why do sentences need to have opposition isn’t that contradictory in a way?
Chapter 11:
“The child can never know the adult completely or the adult the child, but in the act of writing the writer momentarily constructs a bridge.” (Pg. 117) Writing the truth about a time when you were younger or in a story about a character is a good skill to have because many truths come alive through writing. Why is writing about the truth harder than writing about a fantasy?
Chapter 12:
“Professional writers usually avoid starting a sentence with the same word that ends the preceding sentence: I found out his name was John. John was an engineer.” (Pg. 133) This type of writing becomes too repetitive and could ruin your writing the chapter explains. The chapter also gives some positive examples of repetition.
“Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You’ll find suddenly that you are wiser than you thought.” I think the idea of making something as simple as this a habit is interesting, yet it is important to realize that the author is not telling us to disagree with everything other people say. It is more to look for what isn’t there than it is to oppose everything. That is the reason that I think perhaps oppositions shouldn’t really be the title of the chapter/name of the idea.
“About eighty percent of the time, professional writers and editors find that the beginning of a first draft is no beginning at all.” I really like this because it reassures me that the way I write things isn’t wrong at all! It seems to be commonplace. I find that it is so hard to know what you are writing about when you begin to write something. The other problem that I feel was sort of not addressed in the chapter was when I finally get something that I like on the page it is then hard to go back and write a strong introduction or even conclusion sometimes. Writing is hard.
I wonder is inexperienced writers (like me for example) should be encouraged to forsake repetition entirely. It is just such a hit or miss kind of deal.
Chapter 10: "Nothing surprising -- that Father sits down with a magazine and Daughter in the nightie snuggles up with him. The language and thought are simple and appropriate for a little girl with daddy. But then "...star life and distance and spectrums."
I thought this was a very interesting example of opposition. The sentence prior to the example said that there would be opposition in the following paragraph. Despite this and actually looking for this opposition, I couldn't really tell where it is. It's cool to me how the opposition is almost the underlying theme of which the passage is based on but it's totally subconscious to the writer. She just lets her writing flow and the opposition comes naturally.
Chapter 11:
"Most good published pieces of writing have been created in several drafts--each version tighter and sharper than the last."
This is a very reassuring statement because it shows that first drafts are rarely perfect. Very often I write papers and get a little discouraged because it's not my best work but it's nice to know that most papers need editing to become polished pieces of work. This also emphasizes that editing skills are just as or even more important than having good writing skills.
Chapter 12:
Is there a section of a paper where repetition is the most effective? (beginning, middle, end, etc.)
Chapter 10 “Strong writers bring together oppositions of one kind or another. Kitchen Language and elevated language…” (p.89). I really agree with this statement. Writings that tend to be same kind of writing throughout the paper can lead the paper to be boring and lose one’s attention. If the paper contains only long sentences, then it’ll get boring after a while. I especially like the language part. I think that’s really key. I always try to make sure I have good combination of words.
Chapter 11 “Consider the openings to all the papers you’ve written. They should open the story-swing open, and let the reader in” (p.126). I think the intro to your story is one of the more important parts. How you approach it is key because it can determine if the reader will continue reading it with an open mind or be discouraged by the start. When I read a paper, if the intro is off, it’ll make me less wanting to read the rest of the paper.
Chapter 12 The author talks about avoiding repetition but isn’t repetition sometimes good? Like with certain writing techniques.
Chapter 10: "Incidentally, the word authoritarian above is Explainery and should be removed." This startled me when I was reading it, because I didn't expect the writer of the book to stick to his guns in this way. This is an indication that Telling Writing isn't just a standard textbook, but a labor of love by the author to some degree; he actually believes in the concepts he's putting down in each chapter. Chapter 11: "If you're under twenty, you need even more than [Mark Twain and J.D. Salinger] to write of childhood. Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall…" This assertion by the author makes a fair amount of sense. It's logical to assume that some amount of temporal and emotional distance makes for better writing about an event, given that you can see it better. However, this would seem to lead to a conclusion about any and all writing about personal experience while in high school; namely, the futility of that exercise.
Chapter 12: "When you write out a first draft hurriedly, you may find one key word appearing again and again. Before you eliminate the repetitions of it, think twice." What do you think are the signs of a good repetition as opposed to a bad repetition?
Chapter 10: Oppositions "A beginning writer often says, "But I can't do anything as difficult as that." He can. He already does." This part resonated with me because i always think that as a writer I can't do in my writing or cannot accomplish. While in reality I do such things in everyday life when I talk or converse. As a beginner writer I like that people struggle with the same things. I also realize that you don't need to step out of your writing comfort zone to accomplish such things in your writing.
Chapter 11: Through Facts to Large Meanings "To tell large truths about childhood and how it differs from adulthood may seem an impossible task. But when you put down a telling fact that draws others to it, you may be able to go through them to a significant finding about childhood." I agree with this statement because I've always found that inside a simple childhood story is a monumental amount of personal and significant information about someone and their thoughts. Writing about childhood is easy, its easy to put a simple funny story to something about your earlier years but really connecting it and adding significance is something much different.
Chapter 12: Repeating Where is the line between good repetition and bad repetition? Where do we draw the line from endearing to annoying?
Chapter 11: “Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall” (116). I have experienced this firsthand. When writing the first draft of the art essay, I wrote about a book I’d read the day before. When I went back to write the revised version for the peer edit, I didn’t understand what I’d wrote and I didn’t care as much about the book. I decided to write about something from a long time ago which I cared a great deal about. The essay was greatly improved.
Chapter 12: “This is an ideal combination of qualities: challenge and delight” (137). I never before realized that writing should be made difficult for the reader. I always thought the reader should experience the words effortlessly.
Chapter 10: In a persuasive essay, should the positives and negatives be balanced?
Chapter 10: "When mothers write of their children, they often brag insufferably until he reader doubts all their assertions because the kid dimply couldn't be that good....Writer sees oppositions and thus finds lively truths"(93) This quote/claim from the reading sparked thought for me. Of course mothers will brag of their children, it's only natural. However, mothers usually don't make things up in order to impress, so what their saying must be true. Then I realized that you don't necessarily need to lie to mislead, you only need to polish the truth to a point of disbelief. I don't have a child to brag about, but I do have certain people or things in my life that I am very found of. If I were to write about my best friend or my favorite pet, I would most likely spoof it up and only record their good qualities. From this quote I've learned that, as a writer it's important to include oppositions in order to make the writing more realistic and exciting. No one wants to read about my well behaved dog, but they might want to read about the time he ripped the living room to shreds then greeted me with an unbearably cute expression.
Chapter 11: "Such a piece of writing tells so much truth that it may hurt the persons mentioned in it, although what is says is worthy of the attention of many readers"(123) This quote means a lot to me personally because I am an emotional writer. I believe that in order to get your point across or prove a claim sufficiently, you must have the strength in your writing to back it up. A telling fact can be an entire essay with just a one paragraph connection at the end and telling facts are often the most important part of an essay like the one told here about the boys mother being taken to the hospital for "bad dreams". Even if you're not writing about a personal subject, providing a personal anecdote or telling fact can provide a influential example.
Chapter 12: I've always been scolded for using repetition in my writing, but I'm curious whether there is a point in a story or paper or even a type of paper where it's appropriate to use repetition?
“In both opposition and harmony. It’s a big story made up of little stories. Words and acts speak to each other constantly and remind the writer of others he may have forgotten. It’s a story of a large opposition and how the writer came to understand its meaning and value” •This is a good tip to writing our papers on our interviews. It is hard to describe someone in only one story. You can make it sound like one big story made up of small events. It is still factual but gives the reader more interest because of the detail supplied. “The former feelings that come together in your subject may include the most glorious or devastating that you ever had. And you will re-experience them. But you must emotionally enclose and dominate them.” –Page 117 •This stood out to me because it can be extremely hard writing narratives for me. It’s hard picking up on all the small details for people. Some things stick out more than others. Especially depends on the memory. Most people will tend to push away bad thoughts. I think good writers are ones who can embrace this and deal with the emotions memories can evoke. These emotions are often shown in their writing and exposed for the readers, enabling them to feel them too. When telling a story is it helpful to use some repetitiveness? How do you know when it is helpful to the reader or a nuisance?
Chapter 12: "When you write out a first draft hurriedly you may find one keyword appearing again and again" I do this all the time!!! Especially with rough drafts. I think it's a good thing to write out a draft quickly so you can just vomit out all your ideas onto the page, and then cut away from there. I also find it easy to just a thesaurus to clean up the same word problem. Yet, sometimes I don't notice and it's super awkward when you read it out loud in the reading circle. Chapter 11: "Most good published pieces of writing have been created in several drafts— each version tighter and sharper than the last" I find this statement to be very true, because I know my writing always becomes more succinct when I redo drafts. I also wonder what would happen if I spent an entire quarter on one paper. I have the feeling with a lot of my papers that when I turn in the "final" draft, it's perfect. When I look at the same paper maybe a month later, I'm so surprised by how terrible it actually is.
Chapter 10: The book states to write oppositions all the time, but is there a moment when too much is bad?
Ch. 10 "In a way, oppositions create themselves for a writer, but the writer who's not ready for surprises won't be given all of them." I like how he shows us how if we're not open to new ideas and "surprises" as he puts it, they won't come to us. I agree because I've found if I have too much of a structured plan of what I'm going to write, it can become mono tonal. I've never really thought of why before.
Ch. 11 "If you're under 20, you need even more to write of childhood." I find this chapter and especially this line reassuring because I feel like all I write about is when I was younger, even 6 months ago seems younger to me. Maybe when I'm old 6 months won't but for now I like how this book is reassuring in the sense that I now don't think it's redundant to always write about when I was younger.
Ch. 12 I disagree with a lot their examples of "beautiful" repetition and its being beautiful. Does this mean that I just don't like repetition, or is it just not so good in this book?
Chapter 10: "Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You'll find suddenly that you're wiser than you thought. Do it automatically." This is interesting because I have thought the same thing but not that I'm actually wiser, but rather that I can make myself sound smarter. There is a difference. I love to make myself sound a lot more intelligent that I actually am by adding things to my writing that I'd never ever say in real life. Using oppositions will be a great way to do this further.
Chapter 11: "If you're under twenty, you need even more than they to write of childhood. Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall--not always, but usually." I disagree, I think that it is easier to write about more recent events and if childhood was more recent for us, it will be more accurate and better to write about. I can't image that old people can remember to a great detail what certain events from their childhood were like.
Chapter 12: Isn't it good to repeat certain parts of a paper to emphasize it?
“And what they choose to present from life…is frequently … one thing and its opposite, two ideas that antagonize each other. The resultant is tension. And the surprise that comes from new combinations.” CH 10 I think this is the best description of what this chapter is trying to say.
“We go back because on writing through these years we gain a second life.” CH 11 I feel like the idea is a good one, and it’s true. Going back over an experience after a good time of separation can be very meaningful. But I think the “creating a second life” is a little over stated.
“If someone loves you, the repetition is beautiful. But if someone you dislike keeps saying he loves you, the repetition is unbearable.” CH 12 I think this is a great opener to the chapter. This is a good real life situation to relate to a good writing style. It helps me get the concept.
Chapter 10: “It was one of those false spring days that sometimes appear toward the end of winter…” I particularly liked this part because it reminded me of when I lived in New York. I used to walk to school and back every day and this quote is very representative of my walks in March. Chapter 11: “Consider the opening to all the papers you’ve written. They should open the story-wing open, and let the reader in.” The biggest problem I have when writing is opening/starting the paper/essay. Once I get that out of they way I can usually just crank through the rest of the writing. Chapter 12: I saw a lot of repeating in my art essay, I wish I would have looked at this chapter before I finished my paper. Is it always that bad to repeat concepts and phrases? Sometimes they really need to be there to emphasize the point being brought forth.
Chapter 10: “Probably they’ll begin to bore you. When you write, remember that description gets boring fast unless shown through some human action or brought alive by oppositions and surprises.” -pg.94 I agree with this, even as I was reading the book I found myself skipping over the boring passages of description until they were livened up in the manner above^
Chapter 11: “If you’re under twenty, you need even more than they to write of childhood. Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall- not always, but usually. Then they are unfamiliar enough with the events to feel the need to relate them fully for their readers and themselves.” -pg.116,117 This made alot and also no of sense to me, I find that maybe its good to write down the event right after it happens to avoid loosing details. But I think finishing it later or revisiting will allow you to add lost/lacking emotion.
I still fail to understand how someone can write without thinking, he often says to just write things down without hesitation but that seems hard for me to grasp. I always need to think, what does he mean then?
Ch 10. “Strong Writers … slow Rhythms” I found this idea intriguing. As a writer, opposition isn’t something I think about when I write. I don’t deliberately try to make contradicting idea work together. Think about it know though, there may have been times when I did this without even knowing. I remember times when I was writing and I put in these little tid-bits of information that cause opposition. This is generally something that happens in a first draft format only, I usually end up getting rid of it by the final. I really should do something about that. Ch 11. “It’s a mess, … and come back again” First of all I like the comparisons in this sentence. Also I have this problem a lot too. I can never find a way to start or end an essay. It’s always just fluff hanging from both sides. My essays usually all start with a broad topic sentence that I focus in on or some stupid rhetorical question, and my endings are always without fail some grand statement on the human condition. I always thought that endings and beginnings were the hardest part of writing an essay. CH12. “When you write… again and again” Not that I put off all my essays till the last minute, my first draft ends us always having a lot of words repeated. I tend to repeat words like usually, like, or any form of the word to be. In this entry alone I have repeated the word usually three ties. Now four. There are so many words in the English language that repeating words makes it seem almost unfair to them. That is something I truly have to work on. Q. What was with the huge story at the end of Ch 10?
chapter 10 “When you wonder whether you ever think anything worth communicating to others in writing, you need only look at what you’ve written and ask whether it contains tension and surprise” I like how this passage makes choosing a topic of a written work sound so easy. Usually for me, choosing a topic is really hard and I struggle with it but when I finally choose a topic I usually choose something really simple. I also like that it makes the point to think of how others will think of it. What might seem boring/normal to you might seem exciting to your reader.
chapter 11 “When you write of your childhood, you needn’t look for these deep revelations” I found this interesting because whenever I write about my childhood I definitely look for some big hidden meaning behind the story or a lesson I learned. But to be honest, I usually make it up because I was a kid and I was little and didn’t make big revelations. It was comforting to know that I didn’t need to have thought about those things, and I don’t need to write about them either.
Q: if you don’t need to include deep revelations when you talk about your childhood, how do you make your story seem mature?
Chapter 10 “Most professional writing sets up oppositions that build tension and pay off in surprises”. I like what they are saying for this because as I know, it is very true. One of the books I am reading now reflects this properly. When turning the pages I never know what is going to happen next. There are certain books and articles where you know exactly what’s going to happen and it’s super predictable, but when there is tension, the surprise after makes the writing so much better.
Chapter 11 “Remembering childhood is not childish, but wise and sweet, and necessary…. We go back because in writing through these years we gain and second life”. With the title “through facts to large meanings”, this brings a lot of thought to writing. I like this quote because its such a different time to be in your childhood compared to looking back at it. Looking back at your childhood is creating a whole different story itself with a totally different perspective.
Question: What are the most determining factors that make something with repetition unbearable?
Chapter 10: “Most professional writing sets up oppositions that build tension and pay off in surprises.” I liked this line because it explained why writing oppositions was important in a concise way. The author then follows up with an example of this type of opposition, backing up his claim.
Chapter 11: “Writer’s require some distance between themselves and the events they recall- not always but usually”. I think this point really applies to me writing because I often find myself having problems when writing narrative. According to this author, this might be because I remember these events so clearly that I leave out details important to someone less familiar with the story.
Chapter 12: I was a little confused by this section on when to avoid repetition and when to embrace it. The author says to avoid making “silly substitutions for main words in a passage” but I’m not quite sure what designates a “main word”.
Chapter 10: "one thing and its opposite....And news" I find this line and chapter about oppositions very true. Complimenting one statement with it's opposite really does add to writing. Like ying and yang, you can't have one without the other. It makes a piece more dynamic, helping it flow better.
Chapter 12: "Repetition can comfort or bore, clarify or confuse, astound or outrage." I really like what this chapter talks about because I feel like I use repetition a lot in my writing. I agree that repetition is effective when used correctly, but also can hurt the writing. I feel like this is something I need to work on because I tend to repeat stuff when it's needed.
Question Chapter 11: "If they write of yesterday's or last year's events, they usually remember them so well they leave them shrouded in their nearby intimate memory, which the reader doesn't share." I'm having trouble understanding why recent events are usually tough to write about. How does remembering it well make it harder to share?
"Sometimes we say a few words to each other about day's happenings, but my roommates seem as far from me as the people who sit outside the windows of my study room in the library. They walk past my life silently. I see them for one minute or one year, but in time I won't see them at all. And I won't miss them. I like them now, but then I won't care" I really liked this. seeing as we're all going to be graduating high school soon, this is so true about our peers. we all talk and socialize, but we don't really get to know each other.
"Repetition can comfort or bore, clarify or confuse, astound or outrage." this is helpful
question: how to tell when clarification is necessary or not?
Chapter 10: "Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You'll find suddenly that you're wiser than you thought." This was very helpful advice, especially when he proceeds to compare such mundane things like hot and cold, things that you wouldn't consider using for good writing, but when compared they actually are pretty impressive, and can improve writing drastically. Oppositions in writing are important because they can help maintain a good balance. The example given was when a mother writes about their child and says only positive things, the writing starts to get boring. You want to keep things lively and exciting, you don't want to be repetitive.
Chapter 11: The story that I liked most in this chapter was "Alice, Dear." Reading the difference between the first draft and the last, I was impressed by how much the author cut, yet maintained her same story in a completely different way. I know that I do that a lot in my own writing, especially with my college essay. I would sometimes just cut out complete paragraphs and ideas. I like how the author chose to start at a later point in the story, she kept all the facts the same but instead of starting out with her stating the facts, she started out with the story. As she went through the story she included more and more facts until finally it all came together.
Chapter 12: "They hear repetition that their eyes didn't see." I liked this quote a lot from chapter 12, it's very true. It explains the reasoning behind reading one's work out loud. While writing, things make a lot of sense in our own heads and we don't always think everything through. Which is why it's important to take a step back and read things out loud; try to imagine what writing sounds like to other people. This quote also works both ways. Sometimes we need to read our writing over and over again instead of just listening to it. It is hard to distinguish "their, there, and they're" simply from listening to the words, you need to revise your drafts visually as well. Sometimes repetitions will pop out at you visibly, but I have found that most times you need to hear a piece of writing first.
Question: Chapter 12 says to try repeating all sorts of words-- verbs, adverbs, pronouns, and nouns, but how would you repeat the same verb over and over again without the writing becoming confusing?
Chapter 10: As I was reading the first essay quote about the university, I was thinking that they had added opposition when they said that the other students are always messing around instead of studying like they could have been doing, but perhaps I am unsure of the definition of opposition. "I cannot see why the students in dorms waste so much time fooling around when they can use this time profitably studying." It may be a very small one but still opposing what students are doing against what they should be doing. It is not as strong, as say, the opposition described by the person who wrote about the oppositions of the library and there dorm room, but I wouldn’t say it was a complete failure. Chapter 11: I found it interesting, while reading the section by Sarah Knight, that the narrator sounded so mature saying that she hadn’t cried although everyone around her did, and she nonchalantly asked an uncomfortable question. It would be impossible for me to guess around what age she was. This backs up what the author says about the writing: “Elaine’s sister sarah perceived that experience much as an adult would, but most of the time as children we saw the world differently.” And it did show the different way the young girl saw the world. She seemed to have a great innocence to her. Not understanding why everyone was crying, and pointing out that no one talked about the visit. I liked this chapter, because I write a lot about what I’m going through as a teenager as its happening, and this chapter got me thinking about how I would write about my teenage years as I continue to get older. Will my writing present a different insight? Will my writing have more intrigue to it? I think it’s exciting to think about what kind of things I will have to say about my past experiences as I mature. Chapter 12: Before even reading this chapter, just looking at the title “repeating”, I had a lot to say about repeating when it comes to writing. I have read through essays I’ve written and cringed when I realize that I used the same word in twice in a paragraph. It makes it look like I was careless in my thought process and I didn’t have a lot to say about what it is I was writing about. I was then curious to read about how repetition can be used for good. As I read through this chapter I started feeling very self conscious, because I know I do a lot of the things the writer is against in my writing. I can help myself. If I have the same word in a section of my writing, even if it is the main subject, I will find a synonym for it. “If the principal subject of your writing is cats, use the word cats frequently. Don’t say cats, the felines, furry friends, and four-legged bundles.” Okay, maybe I wouldn’t go as “four-legged bundles” but I’d still try to come up with a way to sway from using the same word again.
chapter 10: “Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You’ll find suddenly that you’re wiser than you thought.” (92) I agree with this statement, as it is important to have an open mind when writing. If you dont understand the opposite opinion it is impossible to argue for your own. This understanding is what lends much persuasive writing its strength. chapter 11: “Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall.” (116) I completely agree with this, to write a successful essay, one needs to be able to view the whole picture. this takes time, as well as a clear mind about whatever you are writing about. This clear mind only comes with time, because it takes a while for us to understand the other sides point of view. Chapter 12: when is it ok to use repetition?
Jack Roberts
ReplyDeleteChapter 10: "Oppositions frequently gain in power from being different only in content or idea but in tone or level as well" (p. 97). This a good definition of oppositions and represents the point the author is trying to get across. In writing I never thought of oppositions so literally if I even thought of them at all. When the author analyzed the oppositions in the story of the girl and her dad I was caught off guard by how many oppositions actually were in that story. I gained a more open mind and more awareness to oppositions in passages.
Chapter 11: "The child can never know what the adult completely or the adult the child, but in the act of writing the writer momentarily constructs a bridge" (p. 116). I took Early American lit. and Later English lit. last year noticed how big a role children play in a lot of famous writer's works. William Blake talked about how in order to achieve "the highest experience" a person had to bridge together their childhood innocence and adult experience. In "The Scarlett Letter", the child, Pearl, acted as the voice of reason by criticizing the actions of adults and society in general. Both views of adult and child are different perspectives that bridge together.
Chapter 12: The author talks about repetition in words, but do the same rules apply to techniques like alliteration or consonance? Some writers have used these and does it make the writing more effective or does it make it sound too repetitive?
Chapter 10: "Sometimes we say a few words to each other about day's happenings, but my roommates seem as far from me as the people who sit outside the windows of my study room in the library. They walk past my life silently. I see them for one minute or one year, but in time I won't see them at all. And I won't miss them. I like them now, but then I won't care" (p.95). I really liked this piece of writing because I felt that it told a lot about the writer. I liked the oppositions she used, by comparing the dorm room and library room. It told the reader that her roommates and strangers are the same to her personally. Shes as close to her roommates as she is to strangers.
ReplyDeleteChapter 11: "Consider the openings to all the papers you've written. They should open the story-swing open, and let the reader in" (p.125). I found this interesting and helpful for my next papers. I guess the title does tell the reader about the facts of the paper and within in the paper is the meaning.
Chapter 12: "Repetition can comfort or bore, clarify or confuse, astound or outrage"(p.30). I feel that this chapter was helpful for me to read because I feel that I repeat myself a lot in my writing."Avoidance of repetition sometimes leads writers to silly substitutions for a key word in a passage" (p.132).I feel that I do this a lot in my writing. I don't want to keep repeating something so I use another word or phase to cover for the fact that I don't keep saying the exact word again.
Chapter 10: “All three of the Blooms were too polite not to have gone all out to admire a sledful of gifts dumped into the middle of their living room by a guest as greedy for appreciation as I was” (108). This quote from “Not Another Word” by Richard Thurman stood out to me as a good oppostion statement. The boy felt completely underappreciated by his own parents. They didn’t get down on the floor to play with his new gifts as Robert’s parents did. At the same time, however, his parents bought him more gifts that also cost more money. The boy, Paul, did not recognize this as a form of appreciation because it was not the kind he wanted.
ReplyDeleteChapter 12: “Avoidance of repetition sometimes leads writers to silly sustitutions for a key word in a passage” (132). I agree with this point, in that it can sometimes get confusing if an author changes the word for something multiple times throughout a piece of writing. It may be hard, however, to pick one word and use it the whole time without making the piece sound very repetitive. As in the example of the book, using the word cats all the time could lead to boring repetition, so it would take a lot of revising the sentence structure to eliminate it when possible.
Chapter 11: “Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall – not always, but usually” (116). How much time and in what instances? How would a writer know if they need more time in order to write a better piece?
“Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You’ll find suddenly that you’re wiser than you thought.” page 92
ReplyDeleteI thought that this statement was a great summary of the chapter. I have never really thought about oppositions in my writing, but I think that eliminating them will definitely help.
“Consider the openings to all the papers you’ve written. They should open the story-swing open, and let the reader in.” page 126
I can relate to this tip entirely. I feel very strongly about the importance of a good beginning to a story. If I’m not hooked in early, I normally don’t continue reading. If the beginning of a story is boring, it sets a boring tone for the rest of the piece.
In Chapter 12 he gives an example of how to construct parallel sentences. He modifies a sentence about three children walking to school but in the end it still sounds awkward. What more should be done to the sentence?
Quote from Chapter 10: “The habit [to look for oppositions] will prevent you from oversimplifying people and processes and ideas.” (page 92)
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with this statement. A person alone has many different sides and you need to take all of them into consideration when describing and evaluating them. In other words there is always a “but.” Right now all of us are applying to colleges and as we present ourselves through our writing and through the teachers recommendations it is important to make sure that both strengths and weaknesses are shown, so that the colleges get a good sense of who we are.
Quote from Chapter 12: “Repetition can comfort of bore, clarify or confuse, astound or outrage.” (page 130)
I love using repetition in my writing and I love hearing it in other writing too. Sometimes it can get annoying and boring though, especially in songs. Some of the pop songs just repeat the same thing over and over again and it drives me nuts. I have to change to another song because I cannot stand listening to the words and tune repeat for three or more minutes.
Question from Chapter 11: When I read this chapter it seemed to say you should start your writing with an interest catcher (something that grabs the readers attention quickly) and then end your writing before your story is concluded (to make a kind of cliff hanger). Is this really what you should do? Because I think that would just make the writing incomplete.
Chapter 10: “To see what’s there but invisible, to see what’s not there but expected, requires that persons are willing to oppose their habitual opinions and expectations.” Speaking of oppositions ; seeing the invisible, yeah I caught that. This is a very strong sentence and it puts the common idea that those with an open mind are the most understanding. It really is true, if you only see what you expect to, you’ll miss out on all the new stuff. It makes sense that this is relatable to writing, as some of the best writing pieces reveal a new piece of information every reading, little tidbits of information that would otherwise have been looked over because you weren’t expecting it and only let yourself read what you expected to read.
ReplyDeleteChapter12: “…if someone you dislike keeps saying he loves you, the repetition is unbearable.” Now while I can’t directly relate to the example of “I love you” I can definitely relate to this idea on repetition, and how human perspective shifts drastically depending on who is doing what. If your best friend punches you on the shoulder, you laugh at it and think something like “ha, I deserved that one.” But if that annoying kid comes up and gives you a dead arm, there’s absolutely nothing funny about it, they just became that much more annoying. It’s very difficult to ignore your preexisting relationship with a person when you interact with them. Which I think is the idea the author is trying to get at when talking about repetition, if you have correctly opened your paper up in a way that repetition would be a good fit, then go for it, however if you haven’t set it up then the repetition will seem out of place and do more bad to your paper than good.
Question on Chapter11: “Consider the openings to all the papers you’ve written. They should open the story—swing open, and let the reader in.” I’ve always been told to try and attract the reader, with the first sentence being a hook of sorts to draw them in and catch the reader’s attention. Is that what this is talking about when it says that it should open the story, or is it more set towards just giving an intro that gives the reader an idea on what your paper will be about?
Chapter 10: “Most professional writing sets up oppositions that build tension and pay off in surprises.”
ReplyDeleteI think that this is generally a pretty good strategy for writing. The most important thing, in my opinion, is to keep the reader entertained or at least engaged. When people are taken by surprise or encounter something they weren’t expecting they are more likely to pay attention and therefore engage themselves in the piece of writing.
Chapter 11: “If you try determinedly for truths, your story will probably help your readers get inside your childhood, and that act will put them inside theirs.”
I think that reflection on childhood is a very valuable exercise given how influential of a time it was during our lives. During our earliest years our brain has to work the hardest to adjust and learn how to live in the world. Everything you see and experience shapes how you will act later in your life. Writing about your childhood is an effective way of revisiting it; often when a person writes, in my experience, they find small insights that they wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Chapter 12: Is there anyway to determine whether repetition is helpful or not objectively, or is it all up to who is reading the essay?
Chapter 10:
ReplyDelete“He liked the fire engine so much that I wanted to give it to him, except that the idea of giving it up hurt too much.” (Pg. 108) This sentence demonstrates nicely the opposition that the author believes a good writer should have. The boy notices he has a wonderful gift but he also notices he doesn’t want to part with it. These are two separate ideas brought together even though they have an opposite meaning. Why do sentences need to have opposition isn’t that contradictory in a way?
Chapter 11:
“The child can never know the adult completely or the adult the child, but in the act of writing the writer momentarily constructs a bridge.” (Pg. 117) Writing the truth about a time when you were younger or in a story about a character is a good skill to have because many truths come alive through writing. Why is writing about the truth harder than writing about a fantasy?
Chapter 12:
“Professional writers usually avoid starting a sentence with the same word that ends the preceding sentence: I found out his name was John. John was an engineer.” (Pg. 133) This type of writing becomes too repetitive and could ruin your writing the chapter explains. The chapter also gives some positive examples of repetition.
“Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You’ll find suddenly that you are wiser than you thought.”
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of making something as simple as this a habit is interesting, yet it is important to realize that the author is not telling us to disagree with everything other people say. It is more to look for what isn’t there than it is to oppose everything. That is the reason that I think perhaps oppositions shouldn’t really be the title of the chapter/name of the idea.
“About eighty percent of the time, professional writers and editors find that the beginning of a first draft is no beginning at all.” I really like this because it reassures me that the way I write things isn’t wrong at all! It seems to be commonplace. I find that it is so hard to know what you are writing about when you begin to write something. The other problem that I feel was sort of not addressed in the chapter was when I finally get something that I like on the page it is then hard to go back and write a strong introduction or even conclusion sometimes. Writing is hard.
I wonder is inexperienced writers (like me for example) should be encouraged to forsake repetition entirely. It is just such a hit or miss kind of deal.
Chapter 10:
ReplyDelete"Nothing surprising -- that Father sits down with a magazine and Daughter in the nightie snuggles up with him. The language and thought are simple and appropriate for a little girl with daddy. But then "...star life and distance and spectrums."
I thought this was a very interesting example of opposition. The sentence prior to the example said that there would be opposition in the following paragraph. Despite this and actually looking for this opposition, I couldn't really tell where it is. It's cool to me how the opposition is almost the underlying theme of which the passage is based on but it's totally subconscious to the writer. She just lets her writing flow and the opposition comes naturally.
Chapter 11:
"Most good published pieces of writing have been created in several drafts--each version tighter and sharper than the last."
This is a very reassuring statement because it shows that first drafts are rarely perfect. Very often I write papers and get a little discouraged because it's not my best work but it's nice to know that most papers need editing to become polished pieces of work. This also emphasizes that editing skills are just as or even more important than having good writing skills.
Chapter 12:
Is there a section of a paper where repetition is the most effective? (beginning, middle, end, etc.)
Chapter 10 “Strong writers bring together oppositions of one kind or another. Kitchen Language and elevated language…” (p.89). I really agree with this statement. Writings that tend to be same kind of writing throughout the paper can lead the paper to be boring and lose one’s attention. If the paper contains only long sentences, then it’ll get boring after a while. I especially like the language part. I think that’s really key. I always try to make sure I have good combination of words.
ReplyDeleteChapter 11 “Consider the openings to all the papers you’ve written. They should open the story-swing open, and let the reader in” (p.126). I think the intro to your story is one of the more important parts. How you approach it is key because it can determine if the reader will continue reading it with an open mind or be discouraged by the start. When I read a paper, if the intro is off, it’ll make me less wanting to read the rest of the paper.
Chapter 12 The author talks about avoiding repetition but isn’t repetition sometimes good? Like with certain writing techniques.
Chapter 10: "Incidentally, the word authoritarian above is Explainery and should be removed."
ReplyDeleteThis startled me when I was reading it, because I didn't expect the writer of the book to stick to his guns in this way. This is an indication that Telling Writing isn't just a standard textbook, but a labor of love by the author to some degree; he actually believes in the concepts he's putting down in each chapter.
Chapter 11: "If you're under twenty, you need even more than [Mark Twain and J.D. Salinger] to write of childhood. Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall…" This assertion by the author makes a fair amount of sense. It's logical to assume that some amount of temporal and emotional distance makes for better writing about an event, given that you can see it better. However, this would seem to lead to a conclusion about any and all writing about personal experience while in high school; namely, the futility of that exercise.
Chapter 12: "When you write out a first draft hurriedly, you may find one key word appearing again and again. Before you eliminate the repetitions of it, think twice."
What do you think are the signs of a good repetition as opposed to a bad repetition?
Chapter 10: Oppositions
ReplyDelete"A beginning writer often says, "But I can't do anything as difficult as that." He can. He already does."
This part resonated with me because i always think that as a writer I can't do in my writing or cannot accomplish. While in reality I do such things in everyday life when I talk or converse. As a beginner writer I like that people struggle with the same things. I also realize that you don't need to step out of your writing comfort zone to accomplish such things in your writing.
Chapter 11: Through Facts to Large Meanings
"To tell large truths about childhood and how it differs from adulthood may seem an impossible task. But when you put down a telling fact that draws others to it, you may be able to go through them to a significant finding about childhood."
I agree with this statement because I've always found that inside a simple childhood story is a monumental amount of personal and significant information about someone and their thoughts. Writing about childhood is easy, its easy to put a simple funny story to something about your earlier years but really connecting it and adding significance is something much different.
Chapter 12: Repeating
Where is the line between good repetition and bad repetition? Where do we draw the line from endearing to annoying?
Chapter 11: “Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall” (116). I have experienced this firsthand. When writing the first draft of the art essay, I wrote about a book I’d read the day before. When I went back to write the revised version for the peer edit, I didn’t understand what I’d wrote and I didn’t care as much about the book. I decided to write about something from a long time ago which I cared a great deal about. The essay was greatly improved.
ReplyDeleteChapter 12: “This is an ideal combination of qualities: challenge and delight” (137). I never before realized that writing should be made difficult for the reader. I always thought the reader should experience the words effortlessly.
Chapter 10: In a persuasive essay, should the positives and negatives be balanced?
Chapter 10:
ReplyDelete"When mothers write of their children, they often brag insufferably until he reader doubts all their assertions because the kid dimply couldn't be that good....Writer sees oppositions and thus finds lively truths"(93)
This quote/claim from the reading sparked thought for me. Of course mothers will brag of their children, it's only natural. However, mothers usually don't make things up in order to impress, so what their saying must be true. Then I realized that you don't necessarily need to lie to mislead, you only need to polish the truth to a point of disbelief. I don't have a child to brag about, but I do have certain people or things in my life that I am very found of. If I were to write about my best friend or my favorite pet, I would most likely spoof it up and only record their good qualities. From this quote I've learned that, as a writer it's important to include oppositions in order to make the writing more realistic and exciting. No one wants to read about my well behaved dog, but they might want to read about the time he ripped the living room to shreds then greeted me with an unbearably cute expression.
Chapter 11:
"Such a piece of writing tells so much truth that it may hurt the persons mentioned in it, although what is says is worthy of the attention of many readers"(123)
This quote means a lot to me personally because I am an emotional writer. I believe that in order to get your point across or prove a claim sufficiently, you must have the strength in your writing to back it up. A telling fact can be an entire essay with just a one paragraph connection at the end and telling facts are often the most important part of an essay like the one told here about the boys mother being taken to the hospital for "bad dreams". Even if you're not writing about a personal subject, providing a personal anecdote or telling fact can provide a influential example.
Chapter 12:
I've always been scolded for using repetition in my writing, but I'm curious whether there is a point in a story or paper or even a type of paper where it's appropriate to use repetition?
“In both opposition and harmony. It’s a big story made up of little stories. Words and acts speak to each other constantly and remind the writer of others he may have forgotten. It’s a story of a large opposition and how the writer came to understand its meaning and value”
ReplyDelete•This is a good tip to writing our papers on our interviews. It is hard to describe someone in only one story. You can make it sound like one big story made up of small events. It is still factual but gives the reader more interest because of the detail supplied.
“The former feelings that come together in your subject may include the most glorious or devastating that you ever had. And you will re-experience them. But you must emotionally enclose and dominate them.” –Page 117
•This stood out to me because it can be extremely hard writing narratives for me. It’s hard picking up on all the small details for people. Some things stick out more than others. Especially depends on the memory. Most people will tend to push away bad thoughts. I think good writers are ones who can embrace this and deal with the emotions memories can evoke. These emotions are often shown in their writing and exposed for the readers, enabling them to feel them too.
When telling a story is it helpful to use some repetitiveness? How do you know when it is helpful to the reader or a nuisance?
Chapter 12: "When you write out a first draft hurriedly you may find one keyword appearing again and again"
ReplyDeleteI do this all the time!!! Especially with rough drafts. I think it's a good thing to write out a draft quickly so you can just vomit out all your ideas onto the page, and then cut away from there. I also find it easy to just a thesaurus to clean up the same word problem. Yet, sometimes I don't notice and it's super awkward when you read it out loud in the reading circle.
Chapter 11:
"Most good published pieces of writing have been created in several drafts— each version tighter and sharper than the last"
I find this statement to be very true, because I know my writing always becomes more succinct when I redo drafts. I also wonder what would happen if I spent an entire quarter on one paper. I have the feeling with a lot of my papers that when I turn in the "final" draft, it's perfect. When I look at the same paper maybe a month later, I'm so surprised by how terrible it actually is.
Chapter 10:
The book states to write oppositions all the time, but is there a moment when too much is bad?
Ch. 10 "In a way, oppositions create themselves for a writer, but the writer who's not ready for surprises won't be given all of them." I like how he shows us how if we're not open to new ideas and "surprises" as he puts it, they won't come to us. I agree because I've found if I have too much of a structured plan of what I'm going to write, it can become mono tonal. I've never really thought of why before.
ReplyDeleteCh. 11 "If you're under 20, you need even more to write of childhood." I find this chapter and especially this line reassuring because I feel like all I write about is when I was younger, even 6 months ago seems younger to me. Maybe when I'm old 6 months won't but for now I like how this book is reassuring in the sense that I now don't think it's redundant to always write about when I was younger.
Ch. 12 I disagree with a lot their examples of "beautiful" repetition and its being beautiful. Does this mean that I just don't like repetition, or is it just not so good in this book?
Chapter 10: "Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You'll find suddenly that you're wiser than you thought. Do it automatically." This is interesting because I have thought the same thing but not that I'm actually wiser, but rather that I can make myself sound smarter. There is a difference. I love to make myself sound a lot more intelligent that I actually am by adding things to my writing that I'd never ever say in real life. Using oppositions will be a great way to do this further.
ReplyDeleteChapter 11: "If you're under twenty, you need even more than they to write of childhood. Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall--not always, but usually." I disagree, I think that it is easier to write about more recent events and if childhood was more recent for us, it will be more accurate and better to write about. I can't image that old people can remember to a great detail what certain events from their childhood were like.
Chapter 12: Isn't it good to repeat certain parts of a paper to emphasize it?
Grace Tecca
ReplyDelete“And what they choose to present from life…is frequently … one thing and its opposite, two ideas that antagonize each other. The resultant is tension. And the surprise that comes from new combinations.” CH 10 I think this is the best description of what this chapter is trying to say.
“We go back because on writing through these years we gain a second life.” CH 11 I feel like the idea is a good one, and it’s true. Going back over an experience after a good time of separation can be very meaningful. But I think the “creating a second life” is a little over stated.
“If someone loves you, the repetition is beautiful. But if someone you dislike keeps saying he loves you, the repetition is unbearable.” CH 12 I think this is a great opener to the chapter. This is a good real life situation to relate to a good writing style. It helps me get the concept.
Chapter 10:
ReplyDelete“It was one of those false spring days that sometimes appear toward the end of winter…” I particularly liked this part because it reminded me of when I lived in New York. I used to walk to school and back every day and this quote is very representative of my walks in March.
Chapter 11:
“Consider the opening to all the papers you’ve written. They should open the story-wing open, and let the reader in.” The biggest problem I have when writing is opening/starting the paper/essay. Once I get that out of they way I can usually just crank through the rest of the writing.
Chapter 12:
I saw a lot of repeating in my art essay, I wish I would have looked at this chapter before I finished my paper. Is it always that bad to repeat concepts and phrases? Sometimes they really need to be there to emphasize the point being brought forth.
Chapter 10: “Probably they’ll begin to bore you. When you write, remember that description gets boring fast unless shown through some human action or brought alive by oppositions and surprises.” -pg.94
ReplyDeleteI agree with this, even as I was reading the book I found myself skipping over the boring passages of description until they were livened up in the manner above^
Chapter 11: “If you’re under twenty, you need even more than they to write of childhood. Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall- not always, but usually. Then they are unfamiliar enough with the events to feel the need to relate them fully for their readers and themselves.” -pg.116,117
This made alot and also no of sense to me, I find that maybe its good to write down the event right after it happens to avoid loosing details. But I think finishing it later or revisiting will allow you to add lost/lacking emotion.
I still fail to understand how someone can write without thinking, he often says to just write things down without hesitation but that seems hard for me to grasp. I always need to think, what does he mean then?
-Lillian Seibert
Ch 10. “Strong Writers … slow Rhythms” I found this idea intriguing. As a writer, opposition isn’t something I think about when I write. I don’t deliberately try to make contradicting idea work together. Think about it know though, there may have been times when I did this without even knowing. I remember times when I was writing and I put in these little tid-bits of information that cause opposition. This is generally something that happens in a first draft format only, I usually end up getting rid of it by the final. I really should do something about that.
ReplyDeleteCh 11. “It’s a mess, … and come back again” First of all I like the comparisons in this sentence. Also I have this problem a lot too. I can never find a way to start or end an essay. It’s always just fluff hanging from both sides. My essays usually all start with a broad topic sentence that I focus in on or some stupid rhetorical question, and my endings are always without fail some grand statement on the human condition. I always thought that endings and beginnings were the hardest part of writing an essay.
CH12. “When you write… again and again” Not that I put off all my essays till the last minute, my first draft ends us always having a lot of words repeated. I tend to repeat words like usually, like, or any form of the word to be. In this entry alone I have repeated the word usually three ties. Now four. There are so many words in the English language that repeating words makes it seem almost unfair to them. That is something I truly have to work on.
Q. What was with the huge story at the end of Ch 10?
chapter 10
ReplyDelete“When you wonder whether you ever think anything worth communicating to others in writing, you need only look at what you’ve written and ask whether it contains tension and surprise”
I like how this passage makes choosing a topic of a written work sound so easy. Usually for me, choosing a topic is really hard and I struggle with it but when I finally choose a topic I usually choose something really simple. I also like that it makes the point to think of how others will think of it. What might seem boring/normal to you might seem exciting to your reader.
chapter 11
“When you write of your childhood, you needn’t look for these deep revelations”
I found this interesting because whenever I write about my childhood I definitely look for some big hidden meaning behind the story or a lesson I learned. But to be honest, I usually make it up because I was a kid and I was little and didn’t make big revelations. It was comforting to know that I didn’t need to have thought about those things, and I don’t need to write about them either.
Q: if you don’t need to include deep revelations when you talk about your childhood, how do you make your story seem mature?
Chapter 10
ReplyDelete“Most professional writing sets up oppositions that build tension and pay off in surprises”. I like what they are saying for this because as I know, it is very true. One of the books I am reading now reflects this properly. When turning the pages I never know what is going to happen next. There are certain books and articles where you know exactly what’s going to happen and it’s super predictable, but when there is tension, the surprise after makes the writing so much better.
Chapter 11
“Remembering childhood is not childish, but wise and sweet, and necessary…. We go back because in writing through these years we gain and second life”. With the title “through facts to large meanings”, this brings a lot of thought to writing. I like this quote because its such a different time to be in your childhood compared to looking back at it. Looking back at your childhood is creating a whole different story itself with a totally different perspective.
Question:
What are the most determining factors that make something with repetition unbearable?
Nat Fern opines:
ReplyDeleteChapter 10: “Most professional writing sets up oppositions that build tension and pay off in surprises.” I liked this line because it explained why writing oppositions was important in a concise way. The author then follows up with an example of this type of opposition, backing up his claim.
Chapter 11: “Writer’s require some distance between themselves and the events they recall- not always but usually”. I think this point really applies to me writing because I often find myself having problems when writing narrative. According to this author, this might be because I remember these events so clearly that I leave out details important to someone less familiar with the story.
Chapter 12: I was a little confused by this section on when to avoid repetition and when to embrace it. The author says to avoid making “silly substitutions for main words in a passage” but I’m not quite sure what designates a “main word”.
Chapter 10: "one thing and its opposite....And news" I find this line and chapter about oppositions very true. Complimenting one statement with it's opposite really does add to writing. Like ying and yang, you can't have one without the other. It makes a piece more dynamic, helping it flow better.
ReplyDeleteChapter 12: "Repetition can comfort or bore, clarify or confuse, astound or outrage." I really like what this chapter talks about because I feel like I use repetition a lot in my writing. I agree that repetition is effective when used correctly, but also can hurt the writing. I feel like this is something I need to work on because I tend to repeat stuff when it's needed.
Question Chapter 11: "If they write of yesterday's or last year's events, they usually remember them so well they leave them shrouded in their nearby intimate memory, which the reader doesn't share." I'm having trouble understanding why recent events are usually tough to write about. How does remembering it well make it harder to share?
"Sometimes we say a few words to each other about day's happenings, but my roommates seem as far from me as the people who sit outside the windows of my study room in the library. They walk past my life silently. I see them for one minute or one year, but in time I won't see them at all. And I won't miss them. I like them now, but then I won't care" I really liked this. seeing as we're all going to be graduating high school soon, this is so true about our peers. we all talk and socialize, but we don't really get to know each other.
ReplyDelete"Repetition can comfort or bore, clarify or confuse, astound or outrage." this is helpful
question: how to tell when clarification is necessary or not?
Chapter 10:
ReplyDelete"Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You'll find suddenly that you're wiser than you thought." This was very helpful advice, especially when he proceeds to compare such mundane things like hot and cold, things that you wouldn't consider using for good writing, but when compared they actually are pretty impressive, and can improve writing drastically. Oppositions in writing are important because they can help maintain a good balance. The example given was when a mother writes about their child and says only positive things, the writing starts to get boring. You want to keep things lively and exciting, you don't want to be repetitive.
Chapter 11:
The story that I liked most in this chapter was "Alice, Dear." Reading the difference between the first draft and the last, I was impressed by how much the author cut, yet maintained her same story in a completely different way. I know that I do that a lot in my own writing, especially with my college essay. I would sometimes just cut out complete paragraphs and ideas. I like how the author chose to start at a later point in the story, she kept all the facts the same but instead of starting out with her stating the facts, she started out with the story. As she went through the story she included more and more facts until finally it all came together.
Chapter 12:
"They hear repetition that their eyes didn't see." I liked this quote a lot from chapter 12, it's very true. It explains the reasoning behind reading one's work out loud. While writing, things make a lot of sense in our own heads and we don't always think everything through. Which is why it's important to take a step back and read things out loud; try to imagine what writing sounds like to other people. This quote also works both ways. Sometimes we need to read our writing over and over again instead of just listening to it. It is hard to distinguish "their, there, and they're" simply from listening to the words, you need to revise your drafts visually as well. Sometimes repetitions will pop out at you visibly, but I have found that most times you need to hear a piece of writing first.
Question: Chapter 12 says to try repeating all sorts of words-- verbs, adverbs, pronouns, and nouns, but how would you repeat the same verb over and over again without the writing becoming confusing?
Chapter 10:
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading the first essay quote about the university, I was thinking that they had added opposition when they said that the other students are always messing around instead of studying like they could have been doing, but perhaps I am unsure of the definition of opposition. "I cannot see why the students in dorms waste so much time fooling around when they can use this time profitably studying." It may be a very small one but still opposing what students are doing against what they should be doing. It is not as strong, as say, the opposition described by the person who wrote about the oppositions of the library and there dorm room, but I wouldn’t say it was a complete failure.
Chapter 11:
I found it interesting, while reading the section by Sarah Knight, that the narrator sounded so mature saying that she hadn’t cried although everyone around her did, and she nonchalantly asked an uncomfortable question. It would be impossible for me to guess around what age she was. This backs up what the author says about the writing: “Elaine’s sister sarah perceived that experience much as an adult would, but most of the time as children we saw the world differently.” And it did show the different way the young girl saw the world. She seemed to have a great innocence to her. Not understanding why everyone was crying, and pointing out that no one talked about the visit.
I liked this chapter, because I write a lot about what I’m going through as a teenager as its happening, and this chapter got me thinking about how I would write about my teenage years as I continue to get older. Will my writing present a different insight? Will my writing have more intrigue to it? I think it’s exciting to think about what kind of things I will have to say about my past experiences as I mature.
Chapter 12:
Before even reading this chapter, just looking at the title “repeating”, I had a lot to say about repeating when it comes to writing. I have read through essays I’ve written and cringed when I realize that I used the same word in twice in a paragraph. It makes it look like I was careless in my thought process and I didn’t have a lot to say about what it is I was writing about. I was then curious to read about how repetition can be used for good.
As I read through this chapter I started feeling very self conscious, because I know I do a lot of the things the writer is against in my writing. I can help myself. If I have the same word in a section of my writing, even if it is the main subject, I will find a synonym for it.
“If the principal subject of your writing is cats, use the word cats frequently. Don’t say cats, the felines, furry friends, and four-legged bundles.”
Okay, maybe I wouldn’t go as “four-legged bundles” but I’d still try to come up with a way to sway from using the same word again.
chapter 10:
ReplyDelete“Make it a habit to look for oppositions. You’ll find suddenly that you’re wiser than you thought.” (92) I agree with this statement, as it is important to have an open mind when writing. If you dont understand the opposite opinion it is impossible to argue for your own. This understanding is what lends much persuasive writing its strength.
chapter 11:
“Writers require some distance between themselves and the events they recall.” (116) I completely agree with this, to write a successful essay, one needs to be able to view the whole picture. this takes time, as well as a clear mind about whatever you are writing about. This clear mind only comes with time, because it takes a while for us to understand the other sides point of view.
Chapter 12: when is it ok to use repetition?