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The Practical Stylist . Chapter 1. Welker’s favorites. Writing is well-dressed thinking All writing is persuasive in nature Writing actually creates thought and generates our ability to think
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The Practical Stylist Chapter 1
Welker’s favorites • Writing is well-dressed thinking • All writing is persuasive in nature • Writing actually creates thought and generates our ability to think • Your written voice should be “broad enough of vocabulary and rich enough of sentence to show that you’ve read a book.” • “Style is the writer’s own voice, speaking the common language uncommonly well.”
A few more from chapter 1 • Style is not for the gifted alone—it can be taught, analyzed and perfected! • Plan on writing multiple drafts; “good writing comes from rewriting.” • Becoming a better writer takes “unending practice. Each essay is a polished exercise for the next to come.”
And finally…those pronouns • For the most part, eliminate the I and the to me as these are signs of “amateur terror;” use the personal anecdote to illustrate your point, not to be the point. • “One” sounds stuffy • “We” is a bit better, but can sound pretentious • “You” is vague and adolescent, and I hate it! • What’s a writer to do? Avoid the whole problem by writing to avoid the need for a pronoun: Example: As we watch TV we become more passive. Watching TV makes people passive.
The thesis and its many uses Practical Stylist chapter 2
To create a thesis, first force yourself to move away from “subject” SUBJECT THESIS What a piece is about High school What you or the author has to say about the subject The high school years are not the best times of anyone’s life!
Then sharpen your thesis by • Adding an acknowledgement of the opposition • Making clear the because While many people might believe that the high school years are all fun and games,truly these can be the most stressful times for those studentswho are serious about doing well and moving on to prestigious colleges and well-paying, satisfying careers.
Must we always acknowledge the opposition? Thesis statements for literary analysis
The Man He Killed “Had he and I but met “He thought he’d ‘list, perhaps, By some old ancient inn, Off-hand like—just as I--- We should have sat us down to wet Was out of work—had sold his traps-- Right many a nipperkin! No other reason why “But ranged as infantry, “Yes; quaint and curious war is! And staring face to face, You shoot a fellow down I shot at him as he at me, You’d treat if met where any bar is, And killed him in his place. Or help to half-a-crown.” Thomas Hardy (1902) “I shot him dead because--- Because he was my foe, Just so; my foe of course he was; That’s clear enough; although
Moving from subject to theme SUBJECT THEME What is the poem about? War What does Hardy have to say about the subject? Participating in war causes people to act in ways they never would otherwise.
From subject to theme to thesis Theme: Thomas Hardy’s poem suggests that participating in war causes people to act in ways they never would otherwise. • Should we acknowledge the opposition in a thesis about literature? • Can we include a because? The pacing and tone of Hardy’s poem “The Man He Killed” suggeststhat participating in war causes people to act in ways they never would otherwise.
Sample thesis for Cry, the Beloved Country The character Arthur Jarvis’s use of poetic diction and intriguing syntactical patterns in his writings conveyed beautifully Alan Paton’s message that social change only comes with the acceptance of personal responsibility. Red = because Blue = theme
Other cool things to do with a thesis • In reading, figure out the purpose of a chapter or a section of text and write it down in one sentence. Don’t summarize the section, figure out it’s point! • On tests, like the AP test, answer an essay question/prompt in one sentence (don’t just restate it). Then spend the bulk of your time proving you are correct.
Writing for college Admissions and scholarships
Robert’s rules “How to Say Nothing…” • Avoid obvious content and take the less expected approach, even if it means the more difficult one. • Avoid abstractions and padding • Avoid hedging, euphemisms, jargon, colorless words, and clichés
Subject/Thesis in personal essays The prompt you’re given to write about is a SUBJECT, not a THESIS. • Draw meaning from your experience, and you’ll have a thesis and not just a story. • Remember, as Baker said, to “Generalize your private feelings, and you’ll change from subject to thesis.” • Be sure your admission/scholarship essays answer the SO WHAT question!
