Kenny Ng English Composition 1000-502 September 6, 2011
“Bad Writing” By Julia Cameron
Julia Cameron's advice to writers in her piece “Bad Writing” is writers should write for the sake of writing rather than trying really hard to please the audience they are writing for. Cameron describes “good” writing as elegant and beautiful such as the setting described in the first paragraph of “Bad Writing” where “the sunset is a slender strip of apricot silk” (page 22). Although it is always nice to read “good” writing, Cameron compares this kind of writing to “watching a movie we've seen before” (page 22). The end result is people will admire and appreciate the work put into the writing, but the writing will simply not move them on an emotional level.
In other words, Cameron wants writers to practice “bad” writing. In this kind of writing, writers are writing simply to express themselves and their voice. It's understandable why people today continue to practice good writing. It's comfortable, it's safe, and chances are they will not receive negative feedback or in the case of schooling, undesired grades. “Good” writing in a way can be seen as passive writing where the writer is simply doing what he has been assigned to write about following strict guidelines in order to please his superior. In contrast, “bad writing” would be considered assertive writing where the writer knows the guidelines as well, but takes the assignment in his own path. There's a chance the superior will tell the writer that he did not follow the directions given for the assignment, but at the end of the day it's the writers writing. If we can not write something we can be proud of at the end of the day, we should not have written it in the first place.
Julia Cameron's “Bad Writing” has given me insight on how I should address my future college papers. Now of course this doesn't mean I am giving up “good” writing, but it... [continues]
“Bad Writing” By Julia Cameron
Julia Cameron's advice to writers in her piece “Bad Writing” is writers should write for the sake of writing rather than trying really hard to please the audience they are writing for. Cameron describes “good” writing as elegant and beautiful such as the setting described in the first paragraph of “Bad Writing” where “the sunset is a slender strip of apricot silk” (page 22). Although it is always nice to read “good” writing, Cameron compares this kind of writing to “watching a movie we've seen before” (page 22). The end result is people will admire and appreciate the work put into the writing, but the writing will simply not move them on an emotional level.
In other words, Cameron wants writers to practice “bad” writing. In this kind of writing, writers are writing simply to express themselves and their voice. It's understandable why people today continue to practice good writing. It's comfortable, it's safe, and chances are they will not receive negative feedback or in the case of schooling, undesired grades. “Good” writing in a way can be seen as passive writing where the writer is simply doing what he has been assigned to write about following strict guidelines in order to please his superior. In contrast, “bad writing” would be considered assertive writing where the writer knows the guidelines as well, but takes the assignment in his own path. There's a chance the superior will tell the writer that he did not follow the directions given for the assignment, but at the end of the day it's the writers writing. If we can not write something we can be proud of at the end of the day, we should not have written it in the first place.
Julia Cameron's “Bad Writing” has given me insight on how I should address my future college papers. Now of course this doesn't mean I am giving up “good” writing, but it... [continues]
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