my life 2007

Diana,

Wow, when you said you had something to write about, you weren’t kidding. Care to take on world peace next? (grin)

Where -do- professionally written essays go? Professional journals? I’ve seen a few nicely written pieces linked from Arts & Letter Daily (and their sister site, SciTech Daily) but since they only list articles that are posted online, the quality of writing tends to vary a lot.

I agree completely with what you say about needing the basics before taking on a creative task. A sculptor who doesn’t know how to use his chisels is likely to damage his work (and possibly himself) before ever realizing his vision. It’s not that he lacks creativity, he lacks the tools express his creativity. He’ll end up frustrated because he can’t make what he sees, he can’t convey his idea to others.

I’ve known some amateur poets who proclaimed that they didn’t need to follow the rules of poetry because they were stifling. (Where have we heard that word before?) But I’ve read their poetry; other than showing an astonishing familiarity with the f-word it was quite unremarkable. Then they had the courage to read their work aloud in a coffee shop. What courage!

I’ve heard it said, “You don’t really know how to use a tool unless you know at least three ways to abuse it.” But knowing how to abuse a tool implies you know how it’s supposed to be used - knowing the rules. Abuse of the language is acceptable in order to make a point, but it damned well better be worth it. Disobeying the rules out of ignorance just shows that one is ignorant.

Oh, and on the word “essay.” When you said it originally meant “try,” I immediately took it to mean “to put on trial, to examine for flaws.” (As in a “tried stone.") The writing isn’t what’s being tried, it’s the thesis. The writing is the trial itself - judge, prosecutor, defender, and (if need be) executioner.

Dave

:crazy:

PD, your grandfather, Pappy to me (or Daddy or Pap, or whatever) ,did a very short argument on the use of a rhyme scheme in poetry. He may have included in that piece, or perhaps it was somewhere else, a few lines on the use of meter. Neither was very complete as I recall, but the ideas you expressed were included. I haven’t read either in a number of years, but they were (1) succinct, and (2) clearly thought out. They would serve as very basic ideas for your poor children to look at as the idea behind an essay.

For something really well thought out, There was a very good one by one of the past brittish poets, and as I recall, it dealt with poetry. It seems to have been called “An essay on Poesy” or something close to that. It’s like you said: There isn’t much that is really good out there.

Interesting how you both homed in on the “modern poetry” side note. This brings us back to the question, I suppose, of what poetry really is. I have the same requirements for good poetry that I have for art: it must (first) be something I am incapable of doing and (second) concisely express the seemingly inexpressible.

I rarely read or hear any non-metered non-rhyming “poetry” I couldn’t have banged out during commercial breaks, so the vast majority of it fails (in my view) at the outset. I work with a man who writes some amazing stuff, but I hesitate to call it “poetry.” It’s stuff I could have written (given the same idea), but it is insightful and powerful. But poetry?

Several months ago, I produced a sonnet for our informal writer’s group in the department. I began with an expression of basic ideas. That would have been acceptable to the group as a bonafide “poem,” but it took me about twenty minutes, so I decided to challenge myself. Next, I tweaked it into blank verse (iambic pentameter). It was better–it felt like I’d used more learned skill–but then I wondered if I could produce an agreeable rhyme scheme without it sounding affected. That’s the real trick. I did an “abba” rhyme scheme three times with a couplet at the end. The feedback I remember most from the group was this: “I commend you on having the guts to actually write a poem with meter and rhyme.”

Wha…?!

If I don’t, wherein lies the skill?

I begin poetry classes by asking students to list the expectations they have when they’re told they’ll read poetry. That in itself is an interesting exercise. Then I provide the definition I got in a lecture in an undergrad class: “Poetry is when the lines don’t go to the edge of the page.” Then I ask them to comment on the idea. Does this drop our standards too low? Is there something more we expect in poetry? What is it?

And they know. The lines must be memorable. They need an innate pleasing rhythm. They need to say something worth saying, something I couldn’t have said as well. (And the interesting question to ask at this point is whether the unremarkable and often unintelligible work of a 17th C poet qualifies. Yes…I work both sides of the fence as necessary.)

I hate William Carlos Williams’ “poetry.” I’ve never seen any skill in his work. Not a scrap. I asked a teacher once how this inane junk got into our poetry anthology. She said, “Well…he has such good imagery.” Oh please. Any writer worth his salt provides good imagery; that doesn’t make every writer a poet.

I’ve heard some coffee shop poetry, as well, Dave. On a couple of different occasions. It was, for the most part, just bad.

On the other hand…considering the stuff that passes for poetry these days, I could write and publish like a demon. But that would put me in the same class as television evangelists who are in it for the money, and I simply have too much integrity (and self respect) to do it.

Dave,

Most of the professional work I’ve seen that requires the basic academic essay format is in scholarly journals–but that may be because I spend most of my time reading said journals. I know the ability to focus arguments and write pedantically organized information is a standard factor of professional and business writing; we even have such professional writing requirements as officers in the military.

The only popular professionally written book I’ve read which clearly employed the basic formula (at the book level, the chapter level, and each chapter piece) is Guns, Germs, and Steel, and Pulitzer Prize winning book by Jarrod Diamond postulating why certain races have triumphed over others. The book is an excellent read (fascinating, as well), and the organization and presentation of information is flawless. Most pro sources don’t adhere to the formula quite so closely, though. (I need to buy the book and reread it; I left it with a friend in Iraq. I’ve often wished I had it for reference since, though.)

d

Diana,

Thank you for reminding me of Guns, Germs, and Steel. You’d mentioned it before and I intend to read it still, but time has been in short supply lately. Wow, that must be a popular title - my library system shows it’s available on audio CD and DVD too.

I thought academic journals might be the place to find the kind of articles you described. Perhaps you could show a journal to your students and have them critique an article? Turn the tables on them a little bit?

I can’t speak for your father, but the reason I targeted the poetry angle is because that’s where I’ve seen the most rules violated for the sake of creativity. And from what you say, apparently that’s where violations are most tolerated.

I get you when you say you could “write and publish like a demon.” I’ve been tempted to do just that, only in the paranormal field. I’m sure I could spin a good yarn from pseudoscience, and it seems almost un-American to not take the money of the people who eat that stuff up, but this pesky aversion to lying keeps getting in my way.

Although you did suggest I consider being a writer. (Grin)

Dave

Hey now. Writing and lying needn’t occur in conjuction. :-/ I suggested you become a writer (at least as a hobby!) because you handle words deftly, you’re interesting and insightful–and kind with the expression of your ideas.

I saw the DVD series. I prefer the book; it goes into more detail. The more academic the subject, the greater my need to read it instead of having it read to me or seeing it on TV, but that may be just a personal taste.

d

Diana,

Thank you. That’s high praise indeed! But like I said, I’m averse to lying. The tabloid-buying public is safe from me.

I agree with you about television vs. the printed word. TV is okay for setting up the framework, but to really fill in the details requires a book. I’ve sat through many documentaries and said, “I know this part - get to the good stuff!” then watched the closing credits roll.

Dave