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Is there any form more elegant than the essay? If you are in school right now, you probably do not want to even consider the question. You write a lot of essays in school, and they are by far the easiest to write compared to other forms like the term paper or the report. When I was in college, we had to purchase from the bookstore something called a blue book for exams. These were tiny, blue bound blank ruled pages used at test time. If you are an Arts and Sciences major, (history was mine) then you have had and will have to write many essays during your college career. I wrote plenty in the blue books I purchased over the years. For the typical history exam one would be provided with several in depth questions to answer and you had your choice of two. Months of information had to be packed into the paragraphs proving you understood the material and could follow basic Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style”.
I personally loved the essay, for it was far less tedious and nerve wracking than a multiple choice questionnaire or fill in the blank. All one had to do was to show understanding and offer proof of that in the prose. The essay exam, however, was the hardest to prepare for. Everything had to be studied in detail. Causes had to be linked with outcomes with strings of causality parleyed into historical outcomes. What greater challenge and reward could there be for a writer than to ply their trade in the essay?
I’ve been writing essays lately for my Civil War home school curriculum and I’ve rekindled my love of this form. Unlike the research paper or thesis, it is compact and portable. It is creative in its use of information and employs argument, defense, justification, information, uses a simple form of introduction to topic to recap, and it can be written right off the top of ones head. The essay isn’t the opinion piece, though it is guided by the authors opinion; it isn’t a column with a specific topic though it relies upon a string of topics and subtopics. The Federalist Papers, essays really, appeared in news papers throughout the colonies of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia defending the ratification of the constitution and providing a bulwark against anti-federalist rhetoric, those who opposed ratification. Penned by Aledander Hamilton (thanks to Shannon Jones  for pointing out this mistake - funny thing was, I had just edited an essay covering the battle between the Federalists and anti-Federalists for the curriculum where I cited the authors correctly, the memory does not always serve one well), James Madison, and John Jay the Federalist Papers (as they became known afterwards when compiled into book form) were persuasive essays meant for serialized publication and pamphlet distribution. These were orations in a box, as it were, for the reader.
Neither the dispassionate thesis nor the sterile report, the essay allows the author to persuade in a way that is easy to digest for the reader. My personal like of the essay is its form, as mentioned above as the introduction to topic to recapitulation. It hones our argument skills and forces us to lay out in easy to discern outline form (the best way to prepare an essay is the outline) our defense of our reasoning. An argument without reason is a poor one indeed. Here is where we either know what we are talking about or we do not. Although the essay is for persuasive use, it is difficult to fake knowledge and understanding; persuasion alone will not shore up the weakest argument. Here we can prove to the world we know what we are talking about by laying it all out, A to B to C.
In simplest form, the essay can contain the following format:
Introduction
- Argument or thesis
- topic list (what is to come)
- ending argument
Topic
- argument A
- argument B
Topic
- argument A
- argument B
Topic
- argument A
- argument B
Recapitulation
- Argument of thesis
- How the topics support argument
- Restated ending argument
Bibliography/sources
While there is not a standard length for an essay, it is meant to be taken in one sitting for its goal is to persuade.
Until I undertook this project, however, I’d had little use for the essay since my college days. This is perhaps why it is so little utilized today as we are often thinking about larger, more expansive works like the novel or the non-fiction tome. We are given, today, to less eloquent forms of persuasion like video, where the idea can be molded into any form the presenter wishes with sound and video bites. Or we are inflamed by passionately written blog entries whose persuasive, short, and at times incoherent ideas lead us along the author’s path with little explanation as to why. However, the essay, if crafted well gives us the author’s intent through supporting facts to bring us to the point of agreement or disagreement. We choose for ourselves if we believe the author’s argument or not. If we disagree, we have been given the opportunity to understand why. If we agree or adopt the author’s argument, we are ourselves a little better informed and educated because of it. Even if we do disagree with an essayist we can formulate our own response in reply, taking point by point to present our own thesis.
If you are in school, don’t give up on the essay as a form of persuasive writing and if you are like me, rekindle your acquaintance with this elegant form of writing. You might find that you re-awaken your love of writing or dig your way out of a dry spell.
phil1861
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There are a ton of essays on just about everything under the sun on W.com, so in picking through a few, I’ve highlighted some resources for honing your essay writing skills.
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Question from the 3/21/07 NL (spaced my turn last month!)
Have you collaborated on things in the past? What was your experience?
Collaboration lends itself to some mediums and not so to others. What ways can you think of to collaborate with your writing?
Jay Bingham
Submitted Comment:
In high school I once collaborated on writing a skit that would become a TV commerical. The rest of the class liked my idea, but then decided to "embellish" it. I hated the embellishments, and think they totally lost the "vision" that was my idea.
Since then, I've decided that collaboration, at leat in writing, is a bad idea. It's good to listen to ideas from other people, and incorporate them where you can do so without compromising your artistic integrity. But be very careful giving others any kind of control over your work. You may end up with something that you don't want to have associated with your name.
Collaboration is certainly a doubled edged sword and I suppose in your situation the other students approached the collaborative effort as equals instead of contributors. I also suppose it was less than ideal given the situation and possibly the teacher’s lack of control. As creator, you have to fight for and at times concede control over aspects of the project. In the entertainment industry, a submitted script can be totally re-written especially if it is something you’ve sold. But, the team work aspect of a collaborative effort recognizes a principle writer and contributors who work in a give and take atmosphere. Don’t give up on collaboration just yet, but also recognize that not all collaborations are created equal.
Dragon
Submitted Comment:
I have collaborated in the past. It was fun, and it keep me connected to the person I was collaborating with. I would do it again if I found someone to do it with.
momwrites
Submitted Comment:
Hmmm, Pookie's comment about "writing in a vacuum" really struck a chord in me. I tend to write alone, then have my husband and friends critique. But, in my previous life as a grantwriter, I worked a lot better in collaboration with at least one other person. Solitary writing helps me when I'm depressed or trying to work through a problem. But I think I'm at the point where I would like to either start or join a writers' group. Thanks, Pookie, for making me think-great newsletter!
MzNewsome
Submitted Comment:
Hello!
I just want to say how much I enjoy reading this newsletter. I know you've received tons of comments for this, but I just wanted to add my little 2 cents...actually...maybe 50 cents...or a dollar...
Ho-hum! I love the newsletter! Keep up the good work! ^_^
appolloslady
Submitted Comment:
Collaborations...I've tried it and it was fun. We've both hit kind of a writers block and we now hardly ever see each other, but the story still has potential. I haven't given up yet.
Thank you for your wonderful words today. You have no idea how much I needed words like that in my life right now.
Inspire, Provoke (thought) and Entertain...that's how I try to live my life and write my stories. In pretty much that order.
Thanks again!
writeone
Submitted Comment:
There is the campfire thing on this website, which I like. I'm strong in description and plotting, yet weak on dialogue. This gives me a chance to team up with anoher writer here and go for it, each of us drawing on our own strengths.
A storyteller friend of mine just introduced me to ART: Artistic Response Technique. Find a buddy, and this will work.
1. Read story with all your heart/mind open.
2. Listener/Reader responds with affirmations.
3. Artist has a chance to ask questions: Does this work? Are my transitions smooth?
4.Listener/Reader has a chance to ask questions.
5. Then deal with the technical issues.
This process takes a while, but it deepens your connection to your work, and to the person with whom you choose to share. The only rule is to accept at face value what is exchanged. Take what you need and leave the rest.
likenion
Submitted Comment:
i really liked what you wrote in your newsletter and i agree on every word. i really think that it is vital to work with others and mix ideas to create something nobody else could have done alone that is. it is always interesting to see the product a combined effort and imagination streams.
i have a question though? is there a way to work together more with other writers on the site? like a project on the site or something? if there isn't may be there should be?
Breezy-E ~ In College
Submitted Comment:
My mom proof-reads my major stuf for me before I post it. She also helps me think up plot, characters, and allows me to bounce ideas off her to see if they're good or stupid. To be perfectly honest, I don't know how I would turn out if I didn't have my mom helping me out.
Breezy-E
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For Authors: May 16, 2007 Issue [#1717]
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