Strategies for Expressive Writing Honors College University of North Carolina Wilmington EpicFireworks @ Flickr
Communicate Inform https://rantzz.files.wordpress.com/ Entertain Persuade http://www.mayastarling.com
We write to think, not think to write @ Flickr Corollaries 1. Clear writing is evidence of clear thinking 2. Scholars should be writing often
Scholarship a prolonged conversation, a dialogue you have a seat at the table Elliot Brown @ Flickr epsos.de @ Flickr What will you say? How will you reach them? Write!
Typical Thesis Outline Best Practices Abstract Introduction Methods/Procedures Results/Findings/Product Discussion & Conclusions References Critical Reflection Expected content, style, and organization may vary by discipline. Science writing tends to be very formulaic strong constraints like writing poetry (e.g., Haiku or Shakespeare s iambic pentameter) Steve Rotman @ Flickr
Edit and Revise Expect to edit and revise your work. It s a process.
Style Matters The power of your writing is linked to its style. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/ Study a style manual to make sure that your prose is lively, varied [with respect to sentence types and lengths, and paragraph types and lengths], exact, refreshing, gripping.
Elements of Style Schemes of Omission Ellipsis: the deliberate omission of a word or of words readily implied by the context Asyndeton: deliberate omission of conjunctions between a series I came, I saw, I conquered The infantry plodded forward, the tanks rattled into position, the big guns swung their snouts toward the rim of the hills, the planes raked the underbrush with gunfire. [note the use of the trope personification here as well] Polysyndeton: deliberate use of many conjunctions
Elements of Style Schemes of Repetition Alliteration: repetition of initial, medial or final consonants in two or more adjacent words Anaphora: repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. (Winston Churchill) It is a luxury, it is a privilege, it is an indulgence for those who are at ease. (Edmund Burke) Epistrophe: repetition of the same word or group of words at the end of successive clauses Antimetabole: repetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order
Elements of Style Tropes Hyperbole the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect 1. We walked along a road in Cumberland and stooped, because the sky hung so low. (Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward, Angel) 2. His eloquence would split rocks. Litotes deliberate use of understatement 1. To write, indeed, is no unpleasing employment. (Samuel Johnson) 2. It isn t very serious. I have this tiny tumor on the brain. (J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye)
Strategies for Overcoming Writer s Block Always write something down, even if it notes how unsuccessful you were at a particular stage of the project. Such writing may prove to be useful later. Leave the writing alone for a while (but no longer than a few days), and work on the project the next day rest, relaxation and time off will be helpful. Remember that all professional writers experience this problem; they just take it in stride as part of the composing process. Do like the Puritans: carry a notebook (Research Journal) at all times to record ideas for writing. Consult online websites for additional ideas to overcome this problem.
Activity (~15 min) Select a random paragraph from your thesis make sure that it is at least five to six sentences long Look to see whether you have enlivened your prose Did you use a scheme or a trope within that paragraph? Is your style choice appropriate for your purpose? Does it help with rhythm, balance, meaning, or understanding? If not, rewrite one of your sentences to include a scheme or trope, keeping in mind authorial purpose, rhythm, and effect on the reader.
Take Home Points (aka learning objectives) After attending this workshop, you should be able to. 1. Characterize writing styles for purpose, intent, and audience 2. Use schemes and tropes to improve the impact of your prose 3. Explain how specific styles connect to authorial purpose, rhythm and balance, and effect on the reader. Scott J. Waldron @ Flickr