12 Quotations on Learning to Write by Reading

Read! Read! Read! And then read some more. When you find something that thrills you, take it apart paragraph by paragraph, line by line, word by word, to see what made it so wonderful. Then use those tricks the next time you write. That charge to young writers happens to come from novelist W.P. Kinsella, but in fact hes echoing centuries of good advice. Heres how 12 other authors, past and present, have stressed the importance of reading to a writers development. Read, Observe, and PracticeFor a man to write well, there are required three necessaries: to read the best authors, observe the best speakers, and much exercise of his own style.(Ben Jonson, Timber, or Discoveries, 1640)Exercise the MindReading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.(Richard Steele, The Tatler, 1710)Read the BestRead the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.(Henry David Thoreau, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, 1849)Imitate, Then DestroyWriting is a difficult trade which must be learned slowly by reading great authors; by trying at the outset to imitate them; by daring then to be original and by destroying ones first productions.(Attributed to Andrà © Maurois, 1885-1967)Read CriticallyWhen I was teaching writing —  and I still say it —  I taught that the best way to learn to write is by reading. Reading critically, noticing paragraphs that get the job done, how your favorite writers use verbs, all the u seful techniques. A scene catches you? Go back and study it. Find out how it works.(Tony Hillerman, quoted by G. Miki Hayden in Writing the Mystery: A Start-to-Finish Guide for Both Novice and Professional, 2nd ed. Intrigue Press, 2004)Read EverythingRead everything —  trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! Youll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, youll find out.(William Faulkner, interviewed by Lavon Rascoe for The Western Review, Summer 1951)Read Bad Stuff, TooIf you are going to learn from other writers dont only read the great ones, because if you do that youll get so filled with despair and the fear that youll never be able to do anywhere near as well as they did that youll stop writing. I recommend that you read a lot of bad stuff, too. Its very encouraging. Hey, I can do so much better than this. Read the greatest stuff but read the stuff that isnt so great, too. Great s tuff is very discouraging.(Edward Albee, quoted by Jon Winokur in Advice to Writers, 1999)Be a Voracious, Loving ReaderWhen you start reading in a certain way, thats already the beginning of your writing. Youre learning what you admire and youre learning to love other writers. The love of other writers is an important first step. To be a voracious, loving reader.(Tess Gallagher, quoted by Nicholas OConnell in At the Fields End: Interviews With 22 Pacific Northwest Writers, rev. ed., 1998)Tap Into the World ConsciousnessToo many writers are trying to write with too shallow an education. Whether they go to college or not is immaterial. Ive met many self-educated people who are much better read than I am. The point is that a writer needs a sense of the history of literature to be successful as a writer, and you need to read some Dickens, some Dostoyevsky, some Melville, and other great classics —  because they are part of our world consciousness, and the good writers tap into the world consciousness when they write.(James Kisner, quoted by William Safire and Leonard Safir in Good Advice on Writing, 1992)Listen, Read, and WriteIf you read good books, when you write, good books will come out of you. Maybe its not quite that easy, but if you want to learn something, go to the source. ... Dogen, a great Zen master, said, If you walk in the mist, you get wet. So just listen, read, and write. Little by little, you will come closer to what you need to say and express it through your voice.(Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, rev ed., 2005)Read a Lot, Write a LotThe real importance of reading is that it creates an ease and intimacy with the process of writing; one comes to the country of the writer with ones papers and identification pretty much in order. Constant reading will pull you into a place (a mind-set, if you like the phrase) where you can write eagerly and without self-consciousness. It also offers you a constantly grow ing knowledge of what has been done and what hasnt, what is trite and what is fresh, what works and what just lies there dying (or dead) on the page. The more you read, the less apt you are to make a fool of yourself with your pen or word processor.  ...[R]ead a lot, write a lot is the great commandment.(Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, 2000)And Have FunRead a lot. Write a lot. Have fun.(Daniel Pinkwater) For more specific suggestions on what to read, visit our reading list: 100 Major Works of Modern Creative Nonfiction.

The United States Economy Suffers Greatly Due To The...

The United States economy suffers greatly due to the discrimination of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community. In the past twelve years, LGBT businesses have provided $1.7 billion for the United States economy (Marks). Many Americans, especially those from religious backgrounds, are opponents of the LGBT community (Chu). Many LGBT students in high school are bullied and drop out because of all the discrimination. When they drop out they are not able to obtain an education and get a job, which results in these students becoming a burden on society because the government is responsible for providing assistance to them, which is done with tax payer money (Archer). Additionally, adults in the LGBT community often experience some†¦show more content†¦More than 25% of LGBT community are students in high school. Two-fifths of the LGBT student population have been beaten up because they are different. Because of the verbal and physical harassment 66% of these kids fee l scared to attend school. The outcome of finishing school and getting the right learning skills is low when they feel unwanted where they are put to learn. Students in high school feel targeted and bullied because of their sexual orientation, therefore leading them to drop out of high school. Failure to get a GED results in failure to get a real job later on in life and succeed. More failure rises when the outcome of no GED produces a low amount of money, therefore contributing low amounts of money to the economy. A persons sexual orientation does not need to determine the type of education they will uphold (Salazar). In February of 2016 a bill was passed denying schools to have transgender bathrooms. The students would have to go the restroom with the gender they were born with. North Carolina also passed legislation that discriminated against LGBT community. House Bill 2 provided protection against discrimination for all communities except LGBT. Schools were banned from giving LG BT kids the permission to use the bathroom they sexually orientated with. Many workers were not happy about this and spoke against the bill. Later, Dennis Daugaard, repealed the law. TheShow MoreRelatedExamining Through American Empire By Joshua B Freeman957 Words   |  4 Pagesmuch influence to the Americans. The events within the World War II integrated America from being a collection of states to a formidable American empire. Compared to its presence after World War I, Freeman notes to the readers that at the time it was a reluctant empire with that faced extreme restraint in various natures. The book American empire Freeman drafts a history of united states as an imaginative as highly imaginary (Freeman 10). Briefly, the essay is constructed with the objective of exemplifyingRead MoreHippie Movement1719 Words   |  7 Pagesand around the 1960’s. This liberal movement was a source of excitement for many teenagers and young adults alike (these people’s ages raged mainly between 15-25 years). It started out in the United States of America during the Vietnam War later spreading to other parts of the world such as Canada and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. These people simply rejected the ways of their predecessors and simply â€Å"dropped-out†. ------------------------------------------------- Read MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1360 Words   |  6 Pagesa business. This â€Å"crime† might just be worth it. Due to many positive arguments in support of legalization, numerous states have legalized the use of medicinal marijuana. and are able to experience some of the economical benefits first hand. As citizens of the United States, it is our duty to make the necessary changes in order to improve our quality of living. This regulated industry is capable of drastically changing the state of our economy by creating more jobs, generating tax revenue, andRead MoreAmerican Indians And The American Indian1339 Words   |  6 PagesIn present day capitalist Unites States, we value the America Dream as much now as we did over a century ago. This opportunity of prosperity, success, and upward social mobility, entices the masses to work hard and achieve set aspirations. The American Dream however, is hindered across the American Indian population, and in order for this h ope of prosperity to come to fruition, American Indians need to be given the same opportunities as all other ethnic groups. The term American Indian is officiallyRead MoreGlobalization Is A For The Mass Movement Of Labor1417 Words   |  6 Pagescolonialism in the global economy arises from the cartels that control the manner in which labor and the rights of the workers are exported to the receiving countries. Basically, the workers lose their rights once they exit their country of origin to work abroad. The global neoliberal economy has affected the sovereignty of a state based on the policies that are formed on the international platform that in turn affect the stature of a country. Typically, most avenues of the economy are under the controlRead MoreGender Wage Gap Between Women And Women1483 Words   |  6 Pagesand this loss, in turn, hurts the women, families, businesses, and economy. The gender pay gap affects women of different races and ethnicities, ages, and educational achievement levels and is caused largely by job segregation, childrearing and caregiving, and discrimination. The gender pay gap affects Caucasian, African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic women all somewhat differently. African-American and Hispanic women suffer the most out of the minority groups from the gender wage gap. InRead MoreReward or punishment?1584 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Adriana Quintanilla Professor Woods English 1301 9 November 2012 Reward or Punishment? The right to life and dignity are the most important of all human rights and this must be demonstrated by the state in everything that it does, including the way it punishes criminals.† - Justice Arthur Chaskalson. The death penalty is considered, â€Å"the legal† punishment for a criminal. Although the death penalty has been used for many years, the thought of it continues to bring shivers down the backRead MoreGreat Depression During The Depression1656 Words   |  7 PagesGreat Depression DBQ The Great Depression, however inevitable, took people by surprise when the stock market crashed in 1929. At first people did not fully understand the state of the economy, they could not wrap their heads around the transition from popping champagne bottles to eating bread crumbs for dinner. People were expecting a quick fix to the problem, assuming their lives to go back to normal after a few months, ultimately underestimating the situation America was in. As a resultRead MoreU.s. Census Bureau s Current Population Survey1468 Words   |  6 Pageschildren. This percentage is the highest the calculation has been since the bureau started keeping track of this data in 1976. The senior editor of Mic, Elizabeth Plank says women choosing to not have children makes complete sense given the state of the country’s economy, the gender pay gap, and the outrageous cost of raising a child today. Women, especially millennial women, know of the consequences they will face if they cho ose to start a family while also trying to maintain a successful career. MenRead MoreScience Supporting Mental Illness And The Diagnosis Thereof1546 Words   |  7 PagesClassification of Disease), which is maintained by the World Health Organization, was adopted by the United Nations with the introduction of the first section on Mental Health in the 1949 publication of ICD-6. The DSM-5 is the second, it was introduced by the APA (American Psychological Association) in 1952. While both methods of discernment have been greatly useful in furthering the science to aiding those who suffer from mental illness, it is important to note that it is not my intention to deduce any form

College Admission Essay Sample Free Essays

One of the most insightful people I have ever met once told me that if you choose a career you have a passion for, you will never work a day in your life. This is a philosophy that I have carried with me and sought to find for myself. I discovered my true passion lies playing a essential role in the growth of at-risk youth’s career, social, and personal development. We will write a custom essay sample on College Admission Essay Sample or any similar topic only for you Order Now Being a former Family Support Worker and Visitation Specialist, my interactions with youth and their families from diverse backgrounds left an indelible responsibility to continue making a difference in our youth. The objectives and mission of the Master of Arts Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Westminster College can best help my goal of becoming an effective counselor and leader who is an agent of change to youth and service the mental and emotional well-being of the younger generation. I earned a B.S in Child Adult and Family Services at Iowa State University, while also being a student-athlete on the Women’s DI Volleyball Team. After graduating in December 2017, I jumped right into the human resources field, and I have held two jobs, which in some way or another level have helped to lay the experiential foundations for becoming a licensed professional counselor. For the past seven months, I have worked as a Family Support/Visitation Specialist, and a Child Support Enforcement Specialist in the state of Nebraska, where I assist various groups such as the parenting, women’s empowerment, anger management, breaking barriers, and the development of social skills. I also dealt with and maintained great repore with angry, aggressive and abusive youth and their families. I have helped youth and their families overcome obstacles in their lives and provided community resources to parents in helping them work toward completing short term goals with their youth. I find working with youth and their families to be especially rewarding when they make a conscience decision to reform their lives. My passion I have will always be with youth and the crucial need for parental support, helping their children with the challenges that have been traumatic to youth. My future professional career would to be a youth counselor for at-risk youth. Being able to make a difference in children’s lives every day and providing comprehensive services to at-risk youth and their families, is the reason why I am pursing graduate studies at Westminster College. My motivation is to better the lives and prospects of at-risk youth and families. My motivation is all about change and that is what Westminster legacy is based from, change. At the end of my graduate study in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I will be ready to change the world, especially in at-risk youth. Westminster works hard to have individualized attention with their faculty and students, just as if I were to give my individualized attention to my clients being a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have gained some beneficial insights from my past experiences that have fed my passion to progress and develop ongoing strategies to achieve my full potential. I feel that I am a great candidate for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. I would be honored to represent Westminster College and continue the legacy of change and the community it embodies. Thank you for your consideration. I am unlike most applicants in that I can say that I am a Big 12 athlete. I have spent the past four years bleeding cardinal and gold as I represented Iowa State University in women’s volleyball. Being a student-athlete has taught me how to balance my academic work with the demands of my athletics. This will make it less complicated for me to adjust to the demands of graduate school. I have faced success, failure and adversity my four years at Iowa State University. I initially pursued a degree in Animal Science because my fascination with animals and wanting to become a canine and feline Veterinarian. After my first semester at Iowa State, being a student-athlete was very overwhelming, trying to balance both lives really took a toll on me, so I made the decision to switch out to open option. I remember feeling defeated, and unaccomplished. Why didn’t I try harder? I asked myself. I remember talking with my athletic academic advisor about my next career path and interest, and this decision solidified my passion for understanding child welfare, youth behavior, and family dynamics. Although I enjoyed Animal Science, I quickly realized that I was more interested in studying family dynamics of at-risk youth. This in turn led me to graduating with a B.S in Child Adult and Family Services with an emphasis in child and youth. When I declared child adult and family services as my major, I knew what I would continue with graduate studies in this field. I am excited to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specializing in trauma and crisis intervention, and I am enthusiastic about the prospect of completing my graduate studies at Westminster College. I am also excited to attend Westminster College because I have recently accepted the offer to be the Athletic Assistant for the Women’s Volleyball team. Pursuing my graduate studies and being associated with volleyball again is such an honor. In addition, I am seeking an environment where I will be intellectually challenged and encouraged to pursue my professional knowledge and skills, through theory and research. Becoming a Youth Counselor for at-risk youth means accomplishing my heart’s desire, satisfying my intellectual curiosity and rebuild my profession on a new level all at the same time. My determination to pursue Clinical Mental Health Counseling on a professional level dates from when I interned for Department of Human Services (DHS) in Iowa, where I shadowed a variety of Social Workers. I got the opportunity to see two different counties, Polk County in Des Moines, and Story County in Ames. My principal responsibilities were to co-design and implement care plans, which are also known as safety plans, for youth and their families, observing clinical interviews, to assess and record daily functioning status, offering a range of solutions, based on the needs of the clients, which may include physical and psychological therapies, and supervised activities. I also helped assist various groups such as parenting, anger management, breaking barriers, women’s empowerment and the development of social skills. This experience gave me an insight into the broad variety of family dynamics that are an essential part of facing up to mental health challenges. I consider myself as a solid candidate due to my personal and professional experiences. I believe those experiences prepared me well for the next step in my pursuit of a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am highly motivated and persistent. I believe I have gained a good idea of the challenges and rewards that the field offers and my suitability to pursue it. I am excited about my academic endeavors and my future growth as a researcher and clinician. I hope to have the opportunity to pursue my passion, develop new skills, and continue to grow and learn in Clinical Mental Health program at Westminster College and go Titans! Thank you for your consideration. How to cite College Admission Essay Sample, Essays