We all had a hard time writing these definition essays, it’s a hard concept to get down. But now that the hard part is over, and we have some words on paper, how should I actually make mine good?
These articles gave me some pretty good insight. For me, (and I know I’m not the only one with this problem) I have a lot of ideas but not good organization. In Zinsser’s Simplicity, I think the most important thing he talks about is connection thoughts with clutter.
How can the rest of us achieve such enviable freedom from clutter? The answer is to clear our heads of clutter. Clear thinking becomes clear writing; one can’t exist without the other. It’s impossible for a muddy thinker to write good english. You might get away with it for a paragraph or two, but soon the reader will be lost… (Zinsser)
I felt this not only in my essay but others that I read. We are writing about exciting topics and have a lot to say, but I know personally I need to take those thoughts, focus in on fewer, and develop them more fully. I need to keep it simple and beware of all those other “fringe” thoughts and clutter.
In Murray’s The Maker’s Eye, he quotes Roald Dahl in saying “Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this”. I liked this a lot because it means that thought I am not happy with my essay as it is, I know if I spend enough time going back and revising it it will be much better. I also liked his idea of the first draft being draft 0- the writing process has just begun. Well, I guess that is kind of disappointing in a way, guess we all have a lot of work to do. But it is nice to know there is always room to improve.
Although he says not to trust peer editing, I think we need to take peer editing into account but not trust it completely. Peer editing can be filled with great pointers but also we opinionated. I take it into consideration but as Murray explains, writers have to ultimately listen to their own voices. I will definitely read my critique well and while changing my essay remember to keep my voice in mind.
1 response so far ↓
carlyaa // October 15, 2009 at 3:12 am |
Didn’t reading these Zinsser’s and Murray’s essays make you feel a little bit better about your writing? I know that it did for me. I am rarely satisfied with my writing and I now know that I am not the only one with clutter in my brain. Removing clutter from your brain is easier said than done though. I definitely agree with your statement of taking peer editing into account but not trusting it completely. It gave me the push I needed to critique my own work.