The article “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott is a simple article discussing how most well-written essays must come from a “shitty first draft.” Lamott simple yet effective organization, casual use of language, and style along with humor sells her concept that the scattered first draft does not have to be perfect and is necessary to create a well-written essay.
In the article, Lamott uses simple organization. She begins the article with a brief introduction of the concept that few people can just sit down and write a perfect, beautiful essay or book on the spot. Most writers need to sit down and just slap their ideas on paper to get the creative juices flowing. The first draft is not about perfection; it is about diving into writing and activating one’s brain.
Afterward, Lamott shares how even professional authors must do this process of horrible first drafts. Her article then leads seamlessly into
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Lamott’s use of common everyday word choice, slight profanity, and added humor allows the reader to feel like Lamott is speaking directly to them instead of reading a boring instruction manual. This style creates an atmosphere that invites the reader in and allows him to engage in what Lamott is saying not just dismiss the article.
Throughout the article, I enjoyed the writer’s style. It was as if Lamott was personally telling me this advice instead of reading a dry, boring instruction manual. This method allowed me to pay attention and retain what I was reading. I also enjoy the casual tone. Humor is expertly mixed throughout to give the article a more natural storytelling feel. It also keeps my attention because I can relate to some of the
In Anne Lamott's "Shitty First Drafts," the author writes that in order to write something of good quality one must write a first draft that will never be a work of perfection. Lamott further states that there is no instance of a mainstream or notable writer that sits down and writes a piece of perfected, written work on the first attempt. Lamott also explains the writing process of emotional doubt, draft sequencing, and the effort that is put into a quality piece of written work. Lamott emphasizes the fact that in order to find overlooked or obscured details a writer must muddle through countless body paragraphs, often irrelevant information or thoughts about a particular idea, to find the “real” direction of a written work.
Anne Lamott’s writing process in “Shitty First Drafts” is messy. She initially writes down everything that she is thinking, and then she goes back and refines what she wrote. Lamott has writer's block because she panics about how good her writing is going to be. She resolves this by taking a break, sitting back down, and word vomiting onto her paper. Lamott later goes back to her draft, elaborates on good ideas in her writing, and then crosses out everything else.
In “Shitty First Drafts,” Anne Lamott expresses the need for “really, really shitty first drafts” (3). Lamott furthers her thesis by using a past writing experience as a food critic and her wanting for a pristine first draft (5) and how she eventually goes back to “writing without reining [her]self in” (6). This helps us see that all writers, even the “People’s Author,” needs to write crappily before getting a New York Times Bestseller, which they give out to everyone. However, if your draft is “healthy” (Lamott 10); the possibility of something missing, a thesis for example, you’re screwing yourself over. As more and more people have focused on that one sentence that makes or breaks the paper, the basic idea of writing is lost: the thought,
First Draft Summary In the paper Shitty First Drafts written by Anne Lamott she explains how everyone writes shitty rough drafts even published writers. There is no perfect rough draft. Anne Lamott states, “That is how good writers end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts” (Lamott 233).
The article by Donald Murray entitled, “The Maker’s Eye: Revising Your Own Manuscripts” provides readers a better understanding of the writing process and argues that writers learn to write, by writing and rewriting. Murray also contends that writers must learn to be their own best enemy. Well, I believe I have this trait covered! I will confess, that I purposely saved this course for last, due to the number of years between my last structured learning experience and returning to school to complete a BSN degree.
Anne Lamott 's essay, “Shitty First Drafts” explains to its readers that all writers, even the best, can have “shitty first drafts.” The essay presents the proper writing process from the first draft to the final piece of work. Her essay is intended to encourage writers who are in need of direction when it comes to writing and to teach inexperienced writers ways to become more successful in writing. Anne Lamott uses her personal experiences to build credibility, figurative language to engage the reader and provides the reader with logical steps for the writing process. To build credibility on her processes success, Lamott uses her own personal experiences.
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
Writing a first draft is like giving a speech for the first time. The first time you write a piece of work or give a speech there always is lots of error. The part of “Shitty First Drafts” that I liked the most was when Lamott states that the first
For example, she expresses writing as a system that is "bird by bird," where writers must focus on one part of their work at a time. She remembers this metaphor from when her father helped her brother write a term paper when they were children. This metaphor not only encapsulates how difficult the writing process can be at times but serves as a descriptive example that her audience can easily imagine and relate to considering that many writers face similar challenges. Lamott tries to convey the idea that writing can be used as a valuable tool for introspection and personal growth. She aims to motivate and encourage others to embrace the creative process of writing and apply it to their own life.
Stephanie Malinowski wrote an op-ed article questioning Thomas L. Friedman’s Optimism in “30 Little Turtles”. In addition, Malinowski criticizes Friedman when he generalized the Indians and how he based most of his article on his personal experience. Not to mention that Malinowski used quotes to support her evidence and make the reader question Friedman’s credibility. Malinowski is effective when she summarizes by telling the reader what she is criticizing, her use of paraphrasing to help the reader understand her point of view, and her use of quotes to support the evidence she gives. Summaries are used when someone uses the main points to explain something in a quick manner.
In “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott, she discusses how a writer’s first drafts are usually not perfect (para. 1). It is just a start-draft, just to get the writer going. The first step in this process is to write down anything you can think of at the moment or write out the details for your paper. Personally, I have always struggled with not just the first paragraph, but the first sentence. Like many students and writers, we all have difficulty starting with an interesting, attention-grabbing statement.
This is how someone will feel the connection to what you are presenting. The language Brady decides to use is conversational language. This makes the article a lot more effective. Mainly because it still appeals to a large audience. She does not use scholarly language that may single out a portion of her intended audience.
In the reading Shitty Rough Drafts by Anne Lamott, she explains that not every piece of work is going to be perfect the first time. Sometimes it can be hard to determine what to write about or even where to start. The solution is to start by writing everything down and go from there. A rough draft is a piece of work that can be edited and changed until it is presentable, you can type anything you want. She has done many pieces and every piece has had a different audience .
I start off well with the introduction then by the third paragraph my mind is blank. Funny thing is I have a lot of ideas that I could type but just can’t express them when it’s time to write.
I continued to type; I added in unnecessary symbolism and metaphors to give the illusion of a well-written paper. I was making good time, I had almost a page and a half done already, but suddenly I stopped writing. “ What next?” I had a case of writer's block, and it was bad.