"...Sometimes it seems that they have a sameness of manner, a kind of earnest, handwriting solemnity. Is this necessary? I don't think so. Many of the essays that intrigued me this year were funny, or unusually structured, or tonally adventurous--in other words, not typical in sound or shape. What mattered was that they conveyed the writer's journey, and did it intelligently, gracefully, honestly, and with whatever voice or shape fit best." --Susan Orlean
This quote interested me because she states that a good and intriguing essay is not anything specific like a five paragraph standard paper with quotes in each body paragraph. I think a paper should show voice and show the writer's personality. As Orlean states the intriguing ones she found were not typical in sound or shape and they showed the author's journey. That is what an interesting paper is and I believe that people will write their best being able to show themselves in their paper instead of making it standard so that it sounds like everyone else's. Professors always want the student to use voice when they're writing a standard pattern essay but the student can only use so much voice because it's standard. A standard pattern essay is more like a scientific paper where it's straight forward information or events. I believe Orlean's quote describes more of an essay to where the writer can be imaginative, creative, honest, and personalize the essay to themselves. I believe that voice is one of the most important parts of an essay just like voice has a lot to do in books. Certain author’s have certain voice which either the reader’s enjoy and will read more of their books or won’t understand or like it and will most likely not read that author anymore. Some people like very detailed pieces of literature and some like it simple and straight to the point. Essays should be varied between these two also. I believe essays are better when the author has experienced or created the scenario. A research essay is difficult for most people to write because they are most likely not interested in the topic and don’t know the topic well in depth enough to show voice because they learn it and stick it on paper without caring.
1 comments:
I agree with Bri’s interpretation of a good, intriguing essay. An essay really is so much more than a five paragraph paper. In a good essay, a writer uses his imagination to take the reader on a journey. In a standard “paper” that one might call an essay; the writer is not as free to use his unique voice and style. I like how Bri described that there should be a balance between “standard” and “authentic” voice.
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