Hi Everyone,
On Wednesday, we’ll talk and think about writing style. In preparation, I’d like you to look over your previous essays for this class (and perhaps for 2100 too) and then write a response to this question (and bring it to class): how would you describe your style as a writer?
The best way to answer this question is to think about some of these related questions:
-Do you tend to write long sentences or short sentences?
-Do you tend to write long paragraphs or short paragraphs?
-Do you like to state your main argument in the first paragraph? Or do you wait until later in this essay?
-Do you prefer writing in a formal or informal style?
-Do you like to experiment and do something different in each essay? Or do you tend to pick similar topics?
-Do you enjoy using first-person or do you prefer third-person?
On Wednesday, we’ll talk about how style is foremost an expression of self. Just like your style of clothing, your style of writing reflects who you are and who you want to be. Write your response to the prompt with this idea in mind.
In addition, download this famous guide to style written by William Strunk and E.B. White. Read it and bring it to class (either printed or downloaded onto a device). As you read, I want you to:
-Find one rule that you particularly like and briefly describe why.
-Find one rule that you don’t agree with or are confused by and describe why.
Notice that this reading is called “an approach to style.” Though the authors provide rules in this chapter, their rules are actually just a series of suggestions. I like many of their suggestions but I also don’t like rules #1, #15, #17, #20, and (partly)#21. We’ll discuss your responses in class. See you then!