Responding to "How to Write with Style"
Write a short, 100-word, paragraph response to one of Kurt Vonnegut's suggestions about style. Following the procedures found in your "Academic Writing: A Guide," include at least one short quote from Vonnegut (not one of his rules; choose from one of the sentences instead) and be sure to incorporate it into your own sentence. Respond to what he says either positively or negatively and explain why you think that.
Due before class begins Wednesday, September 29.
21 comments:
Since I am a teacher, I respond most strongly to Kurt Vonnegut’s comments related to teaching. He argues that students need to “write accurately, always selecting the most effective words.” It is a pleasure to read such writing. Like any other reader I “have a tough job to do.” Anything my students do to make my life easier by using simple language, by avoiding “Picasso-style or jazz-style writing,” by just being themselves, will make my reading tasks more enjoyable. For a teacher, Kurt Vonnegut provides advice that can both improve a student’s work and make a teacher’s job easier. —99 words
Having read the Kurt Vonnegut advices, the principle of writing with the readers in mind stands out the most. Although we, the writers, are eager to create an unforgettable masterpiece, the writing will only be as good as the reader’s comprehension of it. Kurt points out that “our audience requires us to be sympathetic”, and if needed, “even willing to simplify and clarify – whereas we would rather soar high above the crowd”. Readers have tough job to make sense of “thousands of little marks on paper”. A good writing style is tested by walking in the reader’s shoes. (98 words)
As a student, trying to improve my English Writing Skills I am puzzled by Kurt Vonnegut's comments about writing in a way “ which is most natural for you”. To write in such a way I would give the reader an impression of immaturity and perhaps laziness. By simply writing in my natural tongue I would be leaving out many grammatical skills that are required to ensure good writing. Although I agree with Vonnegut's general idea of sounding natural; “ What alternative do i have?”, for me I find it necessary to enhance my writing with different subordinating conjunctions that I might not use in my day-to-day conversations.
---108
“No matter what your first language, you should treasure it all your life.” When I first read this comment, I was beyond shocking because as if he was inside of me, I know it’s very true when it comes to writing a piece, but a few people know that. Personally, I wished, no rather, I still wish English was my first language, rather than my second language, so I can’t make any mistakes. Because of this, I used “cut-and-paste” method in high school years because I, of course, thought using “perfect English” would give me better grades. And, I later learned it was “plagiary” and I could even “expel from university or college.”
-115 words.
Vonnegut’s points of “keep it simple” and “pitying the reader” are valid; however, this somewhat depends on the intent of the writing. Are we trying to reach a broad readership or are we just writing for ourselves or a select few? Is the readership educated and so on? My class group touched on this subject with a point about writing should be “easy to read” My question is, if writing is too simple and directed at a more cultured or intelligent group of readers, could it be boring for this class of readership? Vonnegut points out that “the good news is; what we choose to write about is utterly unlimited” and I say, so it is who we write for. – 120 words
Since I am an ESL student, I am always worrying about whether the readers understand what I mean or not. If they don’t, I blame myself for using Konglish (Korean style English). When I read “you should treasure it all your life”, it seemed like blessing words for me. There are thousands of languages all over the world. As Kurt Vonnegut said “all these varieties of speech are beautiful”, they are unique and valuable as every human being does. I think the language, which is subdivided into 4 skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) is one of the tools to communicate. A good writing means to communicate well with the readers; “become understandable” by “selecting the most effective words”. – 118 words
Once I read Kurt Vonnegut's "How to write with Style," his advice on "Write in style in which is most natural for you," stood out to me the most. In my opinion translating everyday speech onto paper would surely mean my grammar skills would not be at par with most other english twelve students. I do not see how someone would progress from one level to another with always sounding like yourself. Im my mind use of high end vocobaulary and speech is not only necessary but also encouraged.
He states "write like Englishmen of a century or more ago," this quote is fairly true because I belive alot of english teachers put pressure on their students to sound "sophisticated."
(121 words)
I have learned many important writing skills with style from Kurt Vonnegut. Especially, this “scratch it out” technique will spice up my writing. Vonnegut says “your eloquence should be the servant of the ideas in your head.” Despite an irrelevant topic, I have a tendency to keep the well written sentences because I spent so much time to come up with the beautiful sentences. My point of view was only from the writer, not reader. If I have the bravery in my writing, it would improve my writing significantly.
89 words
As a student, Kurt Vonnegut's style options will not only help me to be a better writer, bur also to understand the way a reader thinks. Keeping my paragraph simple, "relating the words to one another unambiguously, rigidly, like parts of machine," and focusing on one topic will help me "become understandable - and therefore understood." Readers want our articles to be simple as possible so it will be easy for them to understand what we are trying to say. Also, we are free to "write whatever we please." So, these advices from Kurt Vonnegut will help students make writing easier.
-100 words.
As a second language student, I always tried hard to make my writing perfect. As we all know this is not possible even for many first language students. I believe that using “fancy” words is a way to impress your English teacher. After reading, Kurt Vonnegut writing about “how to write with style” my opinion has changed. Kurt says “scratch it out” these words means to me, no matter how brilliant idea you have, you should have the courage to cut off from your writing if it’s not necessary. Never miss use the vocabulary.
---- 94 words
After reading Kurt Vonnegut’s advices in “How to Write with Style”, when he said “If a sentence, no matter how excellent, does not illuminate your subject in some new and useful way, scratch it out.” It made me remember what my teacher wrote on my essay back when I was in English 11, she said, “You were already a six, but you wrote yourself out of it.” My English 11 teacher graded our papers out of six, six being the highest. It made me shake my head in regret, because it was silly. If only I had prevented myself from prolonging my words; If only I took off some unnecessary sentences which I thought gave it improvement, I would’ve had an outstanding paper. Overall, I agree with his advice.
- 129 words
As I read through "How to Write with Style" by Kurt Vonnegut, I noticed a lot of his rules made good points on what a good writer should be like. It gave me a good understanding of stylish writing and, an input on improving my own. I strongly agree and, respect the rules of his style, especially, when he mentions that you should always write about something you genuinely care about. He quotes "It is this genuine caring, and not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style." Expressing your feelings in writing is always a good way to show the reader what you are writing about is something you have passion for.
-- 126 words
Kurt Vonnegut’s "How to Write with Style" reminds me of similar skills, which I learned in China, the ABCs of English writing --- Accuracy, Brevity and Clarity. I absolutely agree to his identical idea of brevity when he says,"Simplicity of language is not only reputable, but perhaps even sacred". Reading is a delight. Readers tend to be bored or confused with tedious writing. There is also a Chinese idiom, “keeping it concise and comprehensive”, which means the writer should fully communicate a fact, an opinion, an argument, etc. with as few words as possible. In my spare time, I’ll read the Holy Bible to appreciate the brevity of English language.
Since I have read Vonnegut’s suggestion, I keep thinking how powerful simple words are. When I wrote essays, I tried to use difficult or fancy words like “a necklace for Cleopatra” to express simple ideas. However, Vonnegut’s advice of “no other words could break the heart of a reader as those three words do “ reminds me; if simple language describes a situation accurately or conveys enough sympathy to readers, it can impress them deeply. “The writing skills of a lively fourteen-year-old” is used for the bible; this would be evidence how simple words attract people for a long time.
---100 words
Reading Kurt Vonnegut 7 rules of how to write with style, helped put my own writing and my thoughts about what good writing really is into perspective. Vonnegut begins with how great writers used “almost childlike” language yet their “subjects were most profound”. Until having read that observation i had never thought to simplify my language to create a more “compelling and seductive element” to the reader. Instead of aiming for my writing to be strong in vocabulary and filled with an assortment of writing techniques, Vonnegut has helped me to “trust my own writing” and taught me that “genuine caring” in my own ideas will call for a better response from the reader.
114 words
I am convinced on Kurt’s idea on writing a story or an article that can be comprehendible in a simple manner. He says, “write accurately, selecting the most effective words.” Some writers are very conscious oh how the readers gave an impression on their work. They tend to use difficult vocabularies to let the readers think that they are excellent on their field. But in some instances they have the chances to use the words in a wrong way and it will turn into bad comment instead. Making it simple and clearly is enough to be a good writer as long as the words correlates in delivering the message. (109 words)
After I read “How to write with style” by Kurt Vonnegut, I learned many new ways from his suggestion. I totally agree with Vonnegut says “Simplicity of language is not only reputable, but perhaps even sacred.” During my learning English period, I purposely writer complicated sentence as possible as. I think the way might promote my English writing. Now, I understand even though a simple sentence, it may “break the heart of a reader”. Sometimes, if complained sentence makes the readers confusing, that means your writing is meaningless for your readers. However, I will not be ashamed to use simple sentences in my writing. ----104 words
After reading Kurt Vonnegut’s suggestions, I regard “keep it simple” as the most useful advice. Since I’m not a native student, diction is a serious problem for me. I can’t use many complex words to express my opinion as some people usually do. It also bothers me a lot when I read others’ writing. The purpose of writing is to spread thoughts and feelings, so an author should use easy vocabulary to describe a complicated idea. As the result, even people who don’t know too many words can understand him. Kurt Vonnegut tells me that William Shakespeare and James Joyce “wrote sentences which were almost childlike when their subjects were most profound”; I think that’s the reason why they are masters. (121 words)
I have learned a lot from Kurt Vonnetut’s article, but I keep different opinion on his examples of “simplicity of language”. In my mind, most of the sentences from Shakespeare and Joyce are intricate and difficult to understand. I think their fame of master of language is not from the simple sentences that they use, but what is most difficult and important is that they can put “the most profound subject” into “the almost childlike” sentences. Nevertheless, I hope all the writing materials are simple as Kurt Vonnegut says, then learning will be easier for everyone.
As a third language learner, Kurt Vonnegut’s suggestions bout “|How to Write with Style,” enthused and encouraged me to see the wide window that I was oblivious of. In the way mentioning, “No matter what your first language, you should treasure it all your life,” and this comforted me, even though my writing seems not to be standard English, “It shows itself when you write standard English.” Moreover, I was surprised when my teacher Brad liked my assignment about “Here I am” since that time I realized that being myself is the best way to use for writing. A good writing style is an echo that reflects the spirit of the writer.
112 words
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