Here are the guidelines:
- Reading responses must be AT LEAST 250 words.
- Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
- From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
- Reading responses are due by 10pm on the day PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading
Kind of make sense of needed to do some research in order to make a great essay. If our mind was blank and we didn’t have anything to talk about than our essay would be weak. I feel that being a writer you have to experience things in order to actually write about them. Say you are writing an essay about a heart break. If you have never experienced that then why even write about it. The fill in the blank questions given by Philip Lopate made me actually put myself in that position. Made me bring back memories of things I use to do as a kid and what I would do if I had all the time in the world with no worries. The part about the funerals gets one thinking about the actual costs of funerals. Me personally, when I die I would like the cheapest way possible to get buried or cremated. I would hate to leave any debt to my loved ones. The “What if you spent one week” assignment definitely looks fun to do. I would like to go back and repeat 3rd grade in Washington State. It would be so good to bring back all the memories that were made in that school and the friends as well. Overall I agree with what Moore has to bring to the table in this chapter. We all should go out there and do some research of our own in order to properly organize a great personal essay.
ReplyDeleteLucio Vasquez
The chapter was very interesting. I think it's good encouragement from Moore to other writers to write outside their immediate knowledge. If an author only writes what they know, then how can they grow if they don't try to learn more? Moore does not say that a writer needs to become an expert in the subject that they decide to study. In fact, he seems to suggest that the journey, that the experience of the exploration itself is the most important part of learning about new things. A person does not even need to travel far or even leave their hometown to experience and study new things to write about. The first step is getting up, leaving your chair behind. While Moore admits that he read books on the subjects that he wished to learn about, he also went out and looked for experiences related to these subjects. Sometimes, this meant he only drove across town and, other times, Moore traveled out ten hours from home. It is a very possible thing to do, that is, learning and experiencing new things.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, just traveling outside the range of your daily life may provide a writer with new material. Moore gives the example of the author Susan Orlean who went to work on a magazine assignment and ending up writing a bestselling book. She ended up following John Laroche, a rare plants dealer, for two years, becoming immersed and fascinated with her subject, and writing a book with Laroche as the main character. By expanding her experiences and writing outside what she knew, Orlean discovered material for her writing. Moore believes that this was a great find because, not only did she make a successful book, but Orlean had also discovered what fascinates readers the most: the stories of other human beings.
-Doris Tolar
I agree with Dinty W. Moore’s claim that some form of exploration is helpful to the writing process (Moore 172). Without new experiences to come to terms with, new writing would be created. However, writing is more than new experiences or processing raw emotions, it is also as Dinty W. Moore said, “the people are the story (Moore 179).” The reactions of people, their thoughts, their triumphs and/or failures are one of the main guiding principles that keep the reader going. As writers, it is our duties to create well rounded characters (unless they are secondary characters). In the personal essay, we the writers become the characters, therefore, we cannot be afraid to explore ourselves and or complexities. This explains my clash with Dinty W. Moore. I was not so keen on his advocacy for the reader when the writer, at least in personal essays, has a duty to him/herself in answering him/herself the question asked in her/his essay. Abend’s “The Sound of Silence” takes the approach of a Travel/Nature essay reminiscent of Dinty W. Moore’s Wilderness essay. She documents her journey away from civilization, and while I don’t believe she focuses on the catharsis of desolated, she does focus on the scenery especially the change in it. As a writer, I do uphold the principle of “the people are the story”, and thus would have been delighted to hear more about the conversations she had especially in the bar and at the end when she returns to civilization. They would have made for interesting remarks, but it is also understandable when writing a personal account that happened weeks if not months.
ReplyDeleteAlejandro Sánchez
I really liked Lisa Abend’s piece “The Sound of Silence” because it covers a lot of the things that we have been learning through Dinty Moore. The first thing that stood out to me was the fact that she had clearly read up on the area. Although she gets lost she still seems to know her surroundings and figures out how to get back rather quickly. She seemed very knowledgeable about the area and how to navigate her away to Inverie. Another strategy I noticed was the idea she introduced at the beginning of her piece. She explained that the purpose for this trip was to get away from the constant buzz of technologically addicting people around her. She wanted peace and quiet. At the end she makes a realization about herself. She simply needed a change in scenery with people who wanted to talk and socialize. She really brings meaning to her experience. This really ties in the Dinty Moore’s chapter that tells writers to focus more on the experience and the journey of a new place. In Moore’s chapter we first learn about the importance of properly doing your research before starting your essay. Although it sounds like searching through books and databases, research is as simple as being mindful with the people you are coming into contact with. Have a meaningful conversation with your plumber and learn. A writer cannot simply become complacent with what they know. I really like his emphasis on writing about he people you meet along the way and the journey rather than all the research about some place.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Hinojosa
I really enjoyed reading “The sound of silence” because of Abends use of imagery throughout the essay. She also had conflict, when she realizes she went the wrong way. And describes the feeling of hopelessness and terror of being lost in the middle of nowhere with no signal and no one aware of your location. And her conflict resolution was simple, to go back the 10 miles she had previously walked. In her expedition for solitude, her setback allowed her to really engage with genuine people. She had genuine social interactions. Which is what I truly believe she was longing for in this fast based internet generation. In Moores chapter “Write what you wish you knew” he encourages us as writers to step out of our comfort zones a little and write about what we dont know, yet. He encourages research and exploration. And reading this chapter made me think of a friend of mine who is always out doing great things. She travels a lot and does things that typically start off with her being apprehensive, but coming back with a feeling of exhilaration. I asked her once how could she was so spontaneous, I am the safety first-lets plan out everything-what is spontaneity-friend, and she tells me “I do it for the story.” Every single act of spontaneity was for the story. Whether it be talking to new people or visiting foreign places, she did it all for the story. And I think thats what Moore is pushing, yes writing about what we know is great. But writing about what we wish we knew is greater. It leads to growth, not only as a writer, but as a human being.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Victoria Ramirez~
In this chapter Dinty made some interesting points that I happen to completely agree with. If we ever write about a particular subject, we as the writers should be able to have some form of knowledge about that subject. Dinty is not saying to become a master, but if we want to become good writers we have to at least know something about the subject. That’s why he explains that doing your research can go a long way in an essay. He also explains that it doesn’t matter how you do the research as long as it can enhance and improve your learning about a subject. To me that means that if I ever want to write an essay about the desert than I have to have some experience of what a desert really is like. I think I know what and how a desert is, but if I haven’t experienced it than I can only write so much about it. Compare to actually being there and noticing the sand particles moving in the wind and creating layers of thin translucent walls that can block out the sun from your eyes. Little details like that can really help built credibility to the essay. Dinty points out that to do research you have to observe what you are talking about. Observe the culture. Observe how people act. How they communicate. If you as the writer are writing a travel essay than write about the people as well. Write about the interaction between different cultures. In travel essays it could just as easily be about the people sharing the experience than just the location. I feel like I am learning something beneficial from reading this book. I hope that it can elevate my writing to a higher level.
ReplyDeleteWord Count: 296
Juan Garcia Jr
In the chapter “Write What You Wish You Knew,” Moore is giving the reader an idea of how to go about writing non-fiction without having to invest so much time into tediously researching accurate information. Yes, he does agree that using truth is necessary and that sometimes the only way to acquire that knowledge is to visit a library and open a book. However, he is also stating the many ways to make this journey a memorable and fun experience by giving the reader options for achieving this goal. I personally loved the idea of going on a small road trip to wherever the question takes the writer. I do know it is not always an easy thing to just pack up and drive to another city but as Moore states it can be as simple as “just fifteen minutes up the road” (175). Not only would this type of research be beneficial to the story but it would also lend credibility to the writer as one who has “been there and done that” in a literal sense. This is similar to Moore’s take on Philip Lopate’s story in the truth that he decided to “…polishing up a side of ourselves…” (181), in order to round out his character’s voyage through Manhattan. In essence this section is all about getting the correct information in order to write a truly appealing essay without becoming annoyed by the weight of required research needed to make it justifiable.
ReplyDeleteSheryl Cavazos
Writing about things you know gets old. Personally, all the pieces i have written for previous classes, somehow all relate to the same sequence of events in my life. I usually write about the same events which are the ones that have had the biggest impact in my life.
ReplyDeleteWriting about the things you do not know, gives me a fresh idea on things i would like to write about, for example dolphins or how my grandparents earned their living in their youth. Examining new things to write about brings forward a new challenge. In order to be able to write a piece (nonfiction), you would have to become pretty much an expert on the subject. It would take a lot more dedicated and effort to write something. Nonetheless, it would also bring a new experience. If i had to research (by research i don't mean sitting at home in a computer reading articles) i would choose a very interesting topic for me, and go out and actually research first hand. Go out to a ranch and take notes on the birds, the trees, the way the soil has been eroded and what not. Not only would i have to take notes but i would also have to learn the name of the trees and the birds to make my essay a lot more interesting. I think writing about something new, would be a wonderful experience and i would be left with a lot of pride in my writing, because unlike other essays, this one took more effort. Writing a creative nonfiction essay, on something you don't know would not only call for the basic proofreading and revising, but it would require the research and also, like any other essay, the flowing of words, diction and those beautiful words we like to add to our essays to make them flow smoothly. As well as literary devices.
Jennifer Millan
Word Count 316
The sound of silence is on my list of top travel essays. OH MY GAAWWDD... I mean, seriously. It had every aspect of a good story. It had conflict with herself and kicking herself when she realized that she was waayyyyy off track on her hike! This story had allusions, and foreshadowing and some very vivid imagery. I could see the jeep trails, and the water rushing over the rocks on low tide. It was very interesting. Her motivation is one that a lot of us can probably relate to. There is often times that I wish I could just go away to a remote location and get away. So I do. I go out to the east cut or out camping out to the ranch. Either way, I don’t get service. I tend to my duties and my responsibilities when I get back. Nothing is so important that it can not wait. As far as Moore’s reading. I really didn’t understand where he was going. I understand but I don’t get it. The people are the story? Find the subject within the subject. I think that the only thing I agree with in this chapter is that it is easier to agree with someone who comes off as knowledge on a subject than someone who is unsure of what they are talking about. I think that that relates to any situation and/or conversation. But either way. Sign me up for that trip to the middle of nowhere in Scotland!!
ReplyDelete-Cemantha-
In this chapter, Moore writes about what can cause writers to WANT to write about any sort of topic. He starts out by giving examples of really random things that authors could want to write about in the non-fiction genre. While this may immediately sound tedious and remind some of all of the less fascinating things that they have to read and write about in school. The genre can create some beautiful pieces of work that captivate the audience, even though it is not a fictional piece. Through use of detail and imagery, non-fiction authors can take us to different places.
ReplyDeleteFor example, Abend’s piece was written about her journey through a small, secluded portion of the Scotland Highlands. She is taking a break from “technology and people” and so she decides to go a place called Inverie. Since there are only two ways to reach Inverie, by foot or boat, she decides that she will hike to it. Along the way she writes us such beautiful imagery that we can almost imagine ourselves there with her through all of her ups and downs on the way to Inverie. Once she arrives in the little town, we can sense her relief at finding the town, Inn and Inn keeper, after talking to the in keeper, we are taken to the pub where she spends her evening conversing with total strangers. Here we can’t help but feel some of her awe at the fact that the owner of the pub disconnects the pub’s wifi for the night as a means of getting his patrons to converse with one another. Which is in and of itself brilliant, and, at the end of her piece, Abend seems more at peace than she probably planned for.
Karina Gonzalez
This chapter was more truthful than the previous we have read thus far, simply because of what he is trying to convey to us. Yes, of course information is key to a better essay, you cannot expect to write something good about something you are not knowledgeable at. Simply put putting your efforts into studying and learning about whatever topic you are writing about coupled with your creativity and word choices and descriptions, will bring forth a better more fleshed out essay than one you only know common facts or didn’t take the time to study up on. This is very true, other people may have trouble writing about say sports like me, I have no deep connection to any other than baseball but football I know just common facts. Someone with more knowledge would be able to write a better piece about the thought and tactics that go into play from the point of view of the coach or live commentators. In the short story we read, Abend does an incredible job at paining the scenery of the trip she took because she took the time and effort to go on this trip learn about that culture she was surrounded by and essentially took us with her on that trip. That’s the power of knowledge.
ReplyDeleteWord count 216
Amaury Cabrera
The chapter and the essay were great sources of motivation to go out and explore unfamiliar territory and write about it. In the essay Abend initially thinks that being around others is a source of irritation. I’m sure this is a feeling we’ve all had even towards our close friends. Not always do you feel good about your day or how certain things are going in your life. This is a normal thing to experience. However, in Abend’s essay we see that the get away to a secluded area was a refreshing experience and a good reflection on interaction with others. It wasn’t interaction that bothered Abend it was all the commotion that comes with daily life in a face paced communication driven environment. This essay ties in well with the chapter as Abend went out of way to go to a secluded place and have a unique experience. This is the point of the chapter and anyone can do this and it can be anything you want. Any type of experience that you have not had and have the opportunity to do so can be a great source of inspiration. For me, a time that has been an inspiration in writing is a trip I took this year to another state for Spring Break. Never again. Never will I take a trip like the one I took again. While it was the most fun I’ve had on a trip it came with heavy downsides. You know how you shouldn’t put male pets together in small spaces? You shouldn’t put human males in small spaces for long periods of time either. I don’t think I’ve ever been more upset in my life. It was five guys for twenty hours in a truck and eight guys in a small apartment for a week. While I had a lot of fun with my friends there were lots of sources for irritation to say the least. I don’t regret taking the trip one bit we spent very little money and had good times, but I will never willingly put myself in that situation every again. The chapter reminded me of the experience. For me it was the first time I took a long trip and it was a great experience. I will never do it again under the same circumstances, but nonetheless it was a great experience.
ReplyDelete-Jesus Alexis Prado
Much can be said about the underlying issue that essayists and writers alike seem to hit a major roadblock when the idea of writing a new piece of material pushes them outside of their comfort zone. Howard Nemerov clearly states with a banger of a statement, “Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time. Nemerov is basically rejecting the notion that even expert writers and journalists do not possess all the knowledge, and the room for improvement remains a constant pursuit towards greatness with their material. I totally agree with Howard, if you just wrote only about the material you knew about, you would have plenty of free time. What you do with that free time is on you but if I could give any advice, it would be to start learning about what you don't know. The truths of the world lie underneath the surface where no mortal dares to explore because of the fear of leaving the comfort of their isolation. These actions do not promote growth of the mental state, of the physical, especially not of the spiritually aspects that could elevate your material to that of a genius. Becoming one with oneself is the ultimate goal for any individual willing to explore the realms of their true nature and well-being. By accessing this part of their psyche, one is achieving spiritual levels of growth that will only give experience to the writer in areas that were once unimaginable. All of this comes from having an open mind. Closed minded individuals will quickly reject any suggestion if they did not think of it themselves because of their egotistic nature. Dinty Moore informs everyone to write about they wish they knew. Why does he say this? Because of the simple fact that people love to stay with their circle, their comfort zone, they like to think within the guidelines of society and stay within the box. He encourages many to explore directly outside of your boundaries. The Sound of Silence makes beautiful points that really resonates with me. The beauty of silence can have healing properties for many writers. Sometimes that silence much come from oneself, especially of the mind. If one can control the voice of the mind, they can control every action. Many times it is the same individual that talks themselves out of going through with something that they are not accustomed to.
ReplyDeleteRuben Loa Jr
I found the chapter to be rather informative. I feel like Moore was sort of stating the obvious when he said "do your research". It seems impossible to write what one doesn't know but as he continued I began to understand that the research is not done before you decide to write something but after. This notion was really the most rewarding aspect I took from this chapter. I feel that when I do write it is from an experience I found to be insightful or perhaps confusing and I'm seeking clarity. But never have I thought about writing about something outside of my own experiences; rather I've never created an experience for the purposes of writing about it. Which to me seems really noble in a Don Quixote kind of way as well as a great deal of fun. I feel that in my own writing it is more responsive and passive in relation to my daily life and choices. With this perspective of "writing what you wish you knew" there appears to be more freedom and that in and of itself is deeply appealing to me. Then there was the aspect of the people, this was also informative. I feel that it is easy to get caught up in the ego of a personal essay so illustrating the benefits of including the characters of a particular experience was very insightful.
ReplyDelete-Andres Trevino
Writing about what you know is what we were always told. "Don't try and make up stuff, just write what you know." But why? One of my favorite comedians George Carlin always said to question everything. It's trying to find out how certain things tick, can a cow ever jump over the moon, what are the best type of Korean dishes for hangovers, it's just the idea to go and experience something you don't know. Curiosity killed the cat, but that's okay, you have 9 lives so might as well stray from the box we live in, to this entire new world. Observe the world around you, finding out how everything just flows together. I also was glad to see that people are the story, you could go to a secluded island and be all alone but you get the true experience when you interact with those who know it best, the untold stories of history books. In "The Sound of Silence" her goal is to seclude herself from the annoyance of human beings and technology but in the end, the connection with the people is what made her really discover what the journey was about. It was beautifully written, I can only imagine getting lost, having to go back and hike through woods would be pretty intense for me. Going to one area to find peace in only seclusion but getting even more that she bargained for by the end. It's all about taking in what's around you, even if you have no idea what it is, you discover a new meaning, a new idea, a new question and the answers and possibilities after that are endless.
ReplyDelete-Victoria Benavidez
Moore’s “Write What You Wish You Knew,” felt like he was saying go out learn more and write what about the new things you learn and come across. He says to write what we don’t know about in a cynic sense; to let curiosity take you to places to get the people behind what you many already know or to see what is true from facts you might already know. I find that this could be helpful advice, but at the same time it is good to write about one is already familiar with since it makes our essays more truthful. I mean it would be great to take on a new adventure, but sometimes they can be within our everyday walks like the people we come across, the daily conflicts and self-analyzation (common for my psychology major self). In “The Sound of Silence” I enjoyed Abend’s imagery and experience is finding a sense of community through the sound of silence from her busy world; the silence that came from the break with no service and the appreciation of being surrounded by silence when she was alone seeking survival. Her research, in relation to Moor’s idea of research, was done by Abend like: being in a new location to start with; to getting help from the people native to those places; and knowing where she was heading and leaving from. The places she visited, the people and their actions written and the communication she experienced made her essay more intriguing and more realistic.
ReplyDeleteLisa M Serna
I have to say I am completely on board with Moore on writing about things we don’t already know. It's easy to write about the things we do know, so how would that make our reading fun or interesting? How would a writer grow if they continue to simply write about the same things over and over again? By giving into those questions and curiosity we all have inside of us, we can go out and discover new things that can make our writing more exciting. While I agree that some people may not have the time and means to go out to another country, there is always something that can be discovered with a few hours’ drive. In Abend’s essay, she is traveling to Inverie, one of the “untouched parts of the Scottish Highlands”, to escape people and technology. Throughout the essay we see many of the key points Moore pointed out in the chapter. Abend is going out of her comfort zone in search of something foreign. She is willingly going to a place she has no extensive knowledge on other than it’s a private place where she can escape most of society for a couple of days. This essay perfectly displays the meaning of “writing what you wish you knew.” Even though Abend had never been to this place, it did not stop her curiosity and need of the quiet from branching out. She writes the essay with vivid descriptions, perfectly laying out the new land she is visiting and her adventure while there.
ReplyDelete-Jennifer Gutierrez
Picking up Dinty Moore’s book was a refreshing experience. Often times I feel as if I am unfit to be writing about a particular subject. But in “Write What You WIsh You Knew” Moore reminds us that we do not need to be experts on the subject although research is still an important factor in writing a good essay. For example, in my travel essay I wrote about the time I took a trip to Panama and visited the Panama Canal in Panama City. I wrote about the experience with the knowledge I acquired from the trip but after a few Google searches on the history of the canal my perspective shifed. A little research can go a long way and make the writer seem more knowledgeable. I also liked how the author mentioned that the people are the story; what they say, their reactions, their thoughts etc. I just scanned through Abend’s “The Sound of Silence” chapter and we could see how the author faces a new experience in the highlands when leaving her comfort zone to take a break from her old surroundings and company. The imagery was great, I felt as if I was right there in Scotland. We all have our own ways to get out and clear our head but I think the author really did a great job in piecing the experience from the action together. I liked how she really made the people the story just as Dinty Moore suggested.
ReplyDelete-M. Sarah Sanchez