Read a lot of high quality books; that’s the key to your fruitful success in writing. Most writing experts say there are outputs, which means good writing, only when there are lots of inputs, which means reading. Some of my friends have similar writing styles as their favorite authors, which is the result of spending most of their time reading those writing styles. Most of the books I’ve read until now are literatures, rather than logical writings such as newspaper articles or knowledge-based books. I don’t know if this is the reason or not, but what I know for sure about my writing style is that I’m much better off writing emotional works than formal essays.
I think of writing as a tool to express my emotion and deliver it clearly to other people who couldn’t have otherwise understood my side. By writing, I think I can make others feel the same as I do, making more people on my side. This principle of mine is why I love writing. It’s just great when I get the feeling that people understand me and feel the same way as I do.
Since I love to write, I have participated in writing contests or context exhibitions on themes like ‘protecting our environment’ or ‘living righteously’, and have been selected as great works. When I write on these contests, I tend to follow my heart as I write, not planning beforehand with specific logics. This style helps me to write much more persuading writings or essays that appeal to emotions more strongly. It may be unacceptable for a lot of writers, but I just got so used to this style that it feels weird when I plan in term papers, TOEFL or SAT writings.
Many times, I’m complemented on highly emotional writings. However this factor serves as disadvantage in some cases. What I often get critized upon is that my formal essays are too emotion-based that my reasons may seem less persuadable. As everybody is aware of, habits are really difficult to fix. That is why I’m trying my best to mend this problem but it’s not working too well.
Another critical problem I have is that my English grammar is a disaster in a nutshell. Of course, throughout my three extensive years in middle school, I have learned grammar from basics to complex principles. However, I just cannot apply them perfectly on my writings. It is like as if my writing and the knowledge of grammar are separated in my brain.
Although I’m not good at writing logical essays or following grammar rules, I can come up with creative ideas on writing. What I hate most in writing are repeating the same words over and over again, writing in common styles as everybody do, or using cliches. I love to revolutionize styles and use innovative words. In this way, my essay will be much more fresh and pleasant to read. Also, it will appeal more to the readers and make them like my essay even more.
Therefore, in this class, in order to fix my main problem, I hope to have more opportunities writing logical and formal essays!
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Your grammar is hardly "a disaster," and in a nutshell it's actually above average, and well within range of becoming almost perfect. That is, of course, if you continue reading and writing as much as possible. You say yourself that this is the path to better writing, and I can see your hard work is paying off. By senior year, you will have improved by leaps and bounds. Keep reading! Writers like Bill Bryson are good to gain influence from because they combine academic with emotion. Both are important, and you might find Debate to be a place where your style works. Logos, pathos, ethos.
ReplyDeleteAs for writing freely and not planning your essays, I suggest planning in your brain if not on paper. Always be brainstorming ideas - perhaps the best way to plan an essay.
Good work so far!