Figurative Language In Anne Lamott's Shitty First Drafts

Through the short story, she shows the message that If a person doesn’t see their true value they may constantly try to change themselves. It is shown through the literary elements of Imagery, Simile, and Verbal Irony. “Our skin was diagnosed by the department of beauty as ‘shallow’ we definitely needed some strong foundation to tone down that olive”[pg.39] Alaverse’s use of imagery is spread throughout the story, she uses this tone most when she is describing how much distaste she had for herself, or how she needed to change herself to be like the models seen on the television, magazines or her classmates. Throughout the story, she has an internal urge to be something she’s not. “We complained about how short we were, about how our hair frizzed and how our figures didn’t curve like those on T.V” [pg.39]

Even little details that the author writes into the story are integrated into the main idea. McCarthy also includes many clever examples of the literary element irony in this story. The reader notices that Grady seems to have a less than perfect relationship with his father and mother who have divorced. We as readers are also able to understand the humor that is portrayed by the author 's use of verbal irony. Verbal irony is shown through sarcasm by Grady when he tries to laugh about this rough relationship so that it is easier to deal with.

Hawthorne once said, “Deception may give us what we want for the present, but will later take it away in the end.” Thus being said, it is inevitable to portray the actions of deception toward others. Many adolescents today seek pleasure in this particular behavior. The continuous cycle occurs in asking oneself, “Why do we put others down in order to put ourselves up?” In the novel As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, selfishness and intentional dishonesty is intensely demonstrated throughout the characters.

If I had more time to revise my essays I would look back to my arguments and check to see if the sources that I used are valid and relatable to my sentence. Sometimes I get writer’s block and so I just whatever comes to my mind, even if it does not make sense. This

Rhetorical Analysis Most people tend to believe that lying is a way of life, that without it the whole world could crumble and fall. While some tend to believe that any form of lying is a sin and there should be consequences. One author, Stephanie Ericsson, wrote “The Ways We Lie” published in 1993 she talks about how we all lie, it has become an everyday chore to make life easier. She begins by trying to strengthen the bond between the reader and writer showing how they are one of the same. She does this by referencing past experiences, adding informed opinions, and using quotes from other well acknowledged authors, her argument is strong throughout the whole article that lying isn’t just evil, it can be used for good when used the right way.

In almost every chapter, some kind or joke or funny story was told to set the picture. This allows for the reader to connect and feel as if they are in the scene. It humor wasn’t used, the authors would use a dramatic story to invoke a sense of sadness, curiosity, or frustration. For example, “anyone living in the United States in the early 1990s and paying even a whisper of attention to the nightly news or a daily paper could be forgiven for having been scared out of his skin.” This sentence achieves giving the reader a sense of curiosity to know what is so frightening.

In the article, “Shitty First Drafts”, from the book “Bird by Bird”, the author, Anne Lamott, clarifies a common misconception that people have about good writers and their writing process. Good writers don’t just write fully formed passages when they first start writing; they develop their ideas by making imperfect first drafts, which she implies,”… I know some very great writers… Not one of them can writes elegant first drafts” (1). Lamott introduces her claim through her thesis statement, “Now, practically even better news than that of short assignments is the idea of shitty first drafts” and “All good writers write them”(1); this is introduced in the first paragraph.

Besides a clever tittle “Shitty First Draft’s” by Anne Lamott tackles the dreaded process of writing by portraying the usefulness and need of a first draft. The essay start’s by addressing a misconception many beginner writers have about those more experienced; the notion that a good writer can simply start typing and create a well-developed writing. Anne Lamott divulges the secret of good writing is a first draft. A draft that she calls the “child’s draft” allows the writer to put their ideas on paper regardless of flow or structure. The writer knows that the first is not going to be perfect, therefore relieving the apprehension in writing.

As the story progresses, he begins to understand why he thinks in the manner that he does. Sanders does an excellent job of showing how his thinking changes as the text progresses. He does this through his brilliant use of interior monologue and personal anecdotes. In his essay, Sanders opens with a debate that he had with his friend Anneke.

Being an auditory and visual learner, I appreciate hearing the author verbalize the short story “Flying Over Waters.” It is embarrassing to admit that my own writing falls short of the beauty of creative writing; however, by hearing the story read aloud by Ellen Klages, complete with all of the love and passion she intended for the piece, I feel my own creative vocabulary increase. By actually hearing the spoken text, I obtain first-hand knowledge of the resentment and insecurity of ‘Critter’ (the main character). The point of view portrayed is that of an overprotected, imaginative and slightly overweight preteen girl. The writer’s use of “dialogue dramatization” adds to the mood and personality of the main character as well as to each of the

In the article “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lemott she discusses how every writer has difficulty putting their ideas on paper because writing should be seen as a process that even the best and famous writers follow. She also talks about how even the best writers don’t just come with ideas and just begin writing on paper and make it as their final draft. Lemott also points out the importance of being able to just write down every thought into the first draft regardless of the structure of the draft and how it makes it easier to start the second draft. After writing the second draft it makes the final draft a review of punctuation and grammar corrections. As a food reviewer she struggled putting her ideas together because she would start doubting

In class we read “The Boy Code” written by a journalist, Michele Landsberg. I liked the format/layout of the article because the author initiated her introduction with an abstract outline, which gives the reader an overview of the topic. For example, “Landsberg questions the worldwide tendency to raise boys to be tough and emotionally limited.” This statement (located in the last sentence of the abstract) tells the reader the author will explain her concerns about the controversial issue throughout the article. Thus, the abstract benefits readers as it helps them understand what they will be reading and how it will impact them and their lifestyle.

Even though it can be stressful to have to tell someone that their work isn 't correct, it can still be very beneficial to that person. After the first peer review I became more accepting to the idea of letting someone tell me what was wrong with my paper. I think it’s a great way to get another persons view on your paper. Along with peer reviews are revisions plans and they too can be beneficial because that gives the writer the opportunity to see their mistakes and correct them. On all my assignments I have used these tools and I have also visited the writing center on one of my assignments, which was very helpful.

His letter to his mother allows every audience member to think back on personal conflicts they may have had when it came to disappointing someone close to them. The detailed sadness and attempts to better/correct himself, puts the reader in a state of sympathy towards the author, allowing them to feel what he had gone through and effectively immersing them in the article. This use of Pathos benefits him as he effectively reaches his audience on a personal and emotional level, reminding them that though everyone is different, we are all still humans. Kefalas makes an effort to blend these emotions with his argument, making an attempt to win over his audience and bring them to his side. This effective strategy aims straight at the hearts of the readers as he/she must question if what they recently believed in, is truly humane and justified.

She starts out by stating that all good writer write shitty first drafts, and that not writing a shitty first draft is a common misconception. This makes me feel better about myself, because she is using more of a folksy