Showing Off by Janice Galloway

For example, she writes about the “family of punctuation” and emphasizes that each mark plays a key role to better understand how punctuation fits into literature. The author not only uses the personification of the punctuation to simplify and contrast them for each other, Truss most notably uses anecdotes of situations in which she either personally has seen the error or has received from readers. For instance, at the start of the book, Truss writes how easily it is for a person to find a sign that states “I’ts party time” (2). Throughout her book, she uses examples and anecdotes that are relatable and similar to the ones states to demonstrate how common they are and engage the audience. As a result, Truss’ application of informative examples and anecdotes add a dimension to the book that separates it from other grammar and punctuation books, as it is more unconventional and

She writes, "First there's the vinegar-lipped Reader lady…And then the emaciated German male…and there are your parents…and there's William Burroughs" who all criticize her work (Lamott 72). By using these satirized characters, it connects the reader as they feel that Lamott is thinking of them while writing. Lamott also uses pathos to capture the reader's feelings and emotions. She allows the reader to feel as if they are not alone, and that she can relate. Also she uses cursing, to make it more informal and allows the reader relate more. She finds it difficult to write a first draft, and knows many others feel the same way, too.

This chapter is important in a beginning writer’s process because it helps them to understand the basis of writing, connecting with the reader.

Based on his argument using a piece of story from his past, the writer conceptually supported his explanatory point of views on how skills can be developed with a passion of understanding the writer’s intention. I believe that the writer of this article addressed fundamental thoughts that should be useful in the process of reading as a writer, and on how to become a better writer.

Whether while writing an essay or a birthday card, we have all struggled to find the proper words to illustrate our thoughts or feelings from time to time. Upholding the occupation of a writer would multiply that struggle tenfold. An occupation that depends on interesting, fluid pieces of writing every submission requires an adequate number of attempts and patience. Lamott expresses that writers “all often feel like we are pulling teeth” (Lamott), which proves the difficulty of writing is still there no matter the level of writer behind the work. Lamott also emphasizes that a writer “has to start somewhere” and shares her friend’s ideas in her writing to simply “get something - anything - down on paper” (Lamott). Lamott, and the other writers mentioned in this piece, carry incredible track records, while still admitting that perfection did not come initially, or even easily. Thus, proving that the Shitty First Draft has a place in any writer’s notebook or Word document. Lamott’s admission to struggling to properly begin a piece of writing surprised me, given of her success. I could not imagine a woman of her accomplishments stressing out over a food review, yet I felt relieved that someone of Lamott’s title relates to an amateur writer like myself. I often put off my writing as well when I cannot articulate a proper introduction. I do every other possible homework, or shy away from homework in general because the

In the article, Fernsten and Reda (2011) explore the relationship between writer self-identity and academic writing. They assert that self-awareness of writer identity can improve academic writing for disadvantaged student writers, those described as basic writers due to socio-cultural differences from the dominant culture, or from previous educational evaluation experiences (Fernsten and Reda 171). The rationale is that writing skills can improve through the practice and informal (non-graded) evaluation provided through self-reflective exercises regarding writer identity (Fernsten and Reda 171). The article introduces the subject matter by explaining

In the book A Writers Reference, authors Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers, experts in English

“Something More” by Tracey Moffatt is a formal and stylistic experimentation photography and her work draws on the history of cinema, art and photography as well as popular culture and her own childhood memories and fantasies. Themes such as struggles between individuals, childhood cruelties in suburban life, the toughness of life on the ‘frontier’, the subversion of stereotypes and relations between black and white Australians are apparent in her works. There is a strong implication of narrative: a young woman dreams of leaving her isolated home for the big city, but never makes it. However, Moffatt does this in such a way that the story still remains enigmatic and open for interpretation.

Talbot beings her essay with a relatable spokesperson by the name of Alex, who is a graduate from Harvard and establishing an informal and personal tone to her article. By creating a personal tone to begin her article she draws the reader’s attention by giving them someone to relate to was well as what Alex is going through. She gives the readers experiences

Marie Lu, a prominent teen author, has incepted many titles that have been consummated from her exceptional takes on 7 key Concepts of Style. They are the most noticeable in the excerpts “The Rose Society” and “The Young Elites”. Some examples of the 7 Key Concepts of Style are sentenced length and variation, detail and figurative language, sound devices, dialogue, tone, and irony. Marie Lu, the author, has excelled in the Key Concepts of Style with use of irony and detail/figurative language.

Writing may be an enthralling experience for one and a clever way to decompress for another. In general, however, writing has different purposes for a variety of people. “Why I Write,” written in the late 20th century by Terry Tempest Williams, describes various reasons for writing narrated from a female’s perspective. The short essay begins in the middle of the night with a woman engulfed in her own thoughts. She abruptly goes forth by reciting the multiple reasons why she continues to write in her life. Through a variety of rhetorical devices such as repetition, imagery, analogies, and symbolism, Terry Tempest Williams produces an elegant piece of writing that offers the audience insight into the narrator’s life and forces the audience to have empathy for the narrator with the situation she is incurring.

Holding Onto the Air an autobiography by Suzanne Farrell takes the reader backstage in the dramatic life of the world-renowned Balanchine ballerina. From her childhood in Cincinnati to her retirement from ballet in 1989, Farrell's story is truly a remarkable one. The book describes at length her time with the New York City Ballet as well as her complex relationship with the legendary Balanchine. Although Mrs. Farrell goes a bit too far into the ballet descriptions, her beautiful imagery allows reader to experience the joy of performing on stage.

Owenson begins the book with a letter. The series of letters that she writes are giving a history of the people and also their political positions in society. While Owenson is challenging the way that women are viewed by society, she also wants anyone that reads her book to have an understanding of what is

In the essay, “The Storyteller,” Sandra Cisneros discusses how she didn’t let her family's’ traditions interfere with her passion to become a writer. Despite the fact that her father loathed the idea of her moving out without being married, her desire for independance lead her to leave. She finally got her silent home to “listen to the voices inside herself” while becoming inspired by all of her trinkets. Every decision she makes revolves around her writing; it influences every aspect of her life. Cisneros emphasizes the role that family has on your dreams and her ambition to pursue them no matter what.

This incident helps to illustrate the tremendous power that both writing and a writer