The Raven

Ernest Hemingway once said, “It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way.” Hard to argue semantics with a man who won a Nobel Prize in literature. From classic writers, such as Sir Author Conan Doyal and Edgar Allen Poe, to contemporary writers, such as, Mark Twain and Stephen King, they all started at the same place, the beginning. The most famous poems, plays, songs, books, and movies that have stood the test of time and a now considered masterpieces all have one thing in common, they are written well. They are immortalized because of the way the words were strung together and kept their audiences captivated. Those writers were able to mesmerize their audiences because they learned the fundamentals of the written word. Good writers understand the fundamentals build into the many variables that come together to create a well written piece.

As the last words escaped my lips, a burst of applause echoed through the room. The bright smiles of my audience, be it family, friends, teachers, or colleagues, never failed to keep me writing. Being able to pique someone's interest enough to show them even just a small piece of the world of imagination inside my head was the very concept that drew me to writing. Creative writing was one of the key factors in developing my literacy skills because I learned to communicate ideas to my audience efficiently and effectively, expand my vocabulary, and broaden my scope of interpretation to discern themes.

There are many who strive to become famous writers and although some succeed, many do not find such great prosperity. In the words of bestselling author Stephen King, “while it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one,” (142). King’s thesis from his novel On Writing can be debated because with “hard work, dedication, and timely help” it is possible for a writer of any skill level to improve to become better. On Writing is intended to teach the basic skills of writing so readers can develop writing skills to progress to be better writers. If one has passion for writing, patience, and the willingness to learn they will succeed in becoming great writers.

In her article “I Stand Here Writing”, Nancy Sommers examines the writing process and formulating ideas for writing in a more empirical manner. She states that before she found her creative zeal/ niche her writing was often undisciplined, unmethodical, and sloppy. Sommers reveals that in college she was less known for her writing and more for her long hair and misapplication of phrases. She found her true inspiration while writing her Senior Thesis on Emerson’s “Eloquence.” Throughout the entire essay, Sommers provides the reader with advice about writing. A key point that she mentions is, “If I could teach my students about writing it would be to see themselves as sources, as places from which ideas originate, to see themselves as Emerson’s transparent eyeball, all that they have read and experienced-the-dictionaries of their lives circulating through them.”

It is essential to understand that classes taken in grade school do not give students a full understanding of each subject. With the topic of writing, there will always be a new lesson to learn, an aspect to improve, or a differing way to explain. Author Craig Vetter states in Bonehead Writing, “This is your enemy: a perfectly empty sheet of paper. Nothing will ever happen here except what you make happen.” Each story, essay, or response comes from a writer’s experiences. With each attempt at a new piece comes an underlying story of emotions the writer is facing. Each person’s writing is unique and the ideas people have are related to their past experiences and what they believe to be familiar with when deciding which writing style to use. As a high school student, I have learned many things about writing that helped me become the improved writer I am today, but the most essential advice I have received is practice makes perfect. Although there is no actual perfect way of writing, I have discovered that each essay I write, my writing improves. It is easier to spot mistakes, find areas to improve, and ponder elevated word choice to use.

In the memoir On Writing by Stephen King, there are several differences with the structure when compared to fiction novels. First and foremost, considering the memoir is about his writing techniques, King goes into detail about how he engages the audience. He explains what he calls the “toolbox”, which contains the essential resources every writer needs in order to improve their style. A few of his tips include using basic vocabulary you know the audience will relate with, avoiding adverbs at all costs, and avoiding a passive voice in narration. After going through the many tips he had to offer, I realized the difference between the way his words flow together versus other author’s. A strategy King utilizes for engaging the reader is remaining dominant and straight-forward in his words. He mentions that the reader is always the main concern, and making sure they will understand the point is necessary. Another way King connects with the audience is by using his sense of humor. This memoir doesn’t have a formal tone, which is half of what makes it enjoyable. There are several times where he is satirical, sarcastic, and making jokes to keep the reader engaged. With that being said, the overall diction is a balanced mixture between informative and humorous. An additional difference between King’s memoir and fiction novels is the way he is direct with the audience. Considering fiction novels are generally telling stories to the reader, there isn’t a connection with the narrator.

From writing thoughtful poems to research papers, I have experienced composing a diverse portfolio of literary analysis and criticisms throughout the school year. I started out the year writing minimally. By the end of the year, I noticed I was able to express my ideas and thoughts in a more clear and concise way on paper. Ultimately, each composition allowed me to widen my horizons as a writer and see how I could improve as a writer.

Everyone knows what writing is to one extent or another, but we all have different definitions of how it should be done and varying degrees of seriousness about the art. We all have a process of writing, but each is unique to ourselves and our own experiences. Annie Dillard and Stephen King are two well known authors who have published many pieces, two of which describe how they view the writing process and let their readers get a peek of what goes on through their minds when they write. These two pieces are Dillard’s The Writing Life and King’s “What Writing Is.”

The Poem, “The Raven,” by Edgar Allen Poe, is a timeless, and one of the most read, poems in history. It gives the readers a sense of fear, sadness, and excitement all at the same time. One of the ways that Poe stimulates the readers emotions is how he uses and symbolizes the Raven in the story. Throughout history, birds have symbolized hope, light, and freedom. Birds such as an Eagle, who symbolizes freedom and pride, or a dove that represents peace and love, show how birds bring a sense of good to a story. Although, I think the Raven brings a sense of sorrow, or loneliness to the story.

From elementary school to high school, I was taught that my writing had to be structured and follow strict criteria. After I arrived in Mr. Mukherjee’s ENG 102 class, I was given the opportunity to express my creative freedom through words and graphical pictures. It can often be difficult and challenging to improve upon my own writing abilities unless motived with an idea in mind. When looking back on my time at ASU, I thought about the goals that I wanted to address for myself and the course goals that my instructor had set for the class. These goals include ones that I had accomplished to the best of my ability and ones that I need to address as well as improve.

Writing is a practice that most of us were taught when we were young. We were taught the basics of grammar, how to form a sentence, conjunction words, how to write paragraphs and more. Although we have learned this skill while growing up and have used the skill every year after entering kindergarten, this does not mean our writing process will ensure the best work. The authors that I chose each encourage their audience to excel in the art of writing in their own way to help with the writing process.

I’m not a notable writer, nor have I really wanted to join the writing industry. However, I have been interested in other people’s writing. From their deep meanings, content, and different formats/styles. It’s a wondrous creation made from within our imagination and experiences. It has inspired me to write too. I’ve been writing most of my life that it has become a necessity. And now from my past experiences with writing, I try my best to improve my skills as a writer for the future.

Literary Analysis The Raven is arguably the most famous out of all of Edgar Allen Poe’s pieces, but it is also one of the saddest. The Raven is a poem about a man mourning the loss of his love, Lenore. The poem begins with the unnamed narrator distracting himself with a book on bleak December night when he hears a tapping on his chamber door. He begins to tell himself that it is only a visitor, and eagerly awaits the next day.

The thief walked down the empty hallway, with light steps. Hidden underneath his cloak, the child slept soundlessly in his arm. The hallway chandeliers flickered with burning candles. The candles lit the pathway just enough to see slight details on the wooden floor.

Terry takes out Raven's captors with a grenade, consequently, blowing her up as well. Before our unlikely hero can get Raven safely out of the warehouse, the F.B.I. arrives and claims the incapacitated vigilante as their prisoner. Raven prematurely transformes into her docile alter-ego (named Tanya) exactly when she’s needed the most. As marauding gangs brutally attack, Terry believes their time is at an end and surprise kisses her on her lips, which, of course, irritates her so much that the personality of Raven returns to action, ergo, he's her frog prince. Terry finally convinces Raven to abandon her ruthless vendetta and fulfill her destiny as a righteous