"Geeks Bearing Gifts" Writing Techniques

When I read "Geeks Bearing Gifts" by Ron Koertge, I found some writing techniques that I could use in my own writing.

One writing technique I found was using lots of dialogue to describe what was happening and people's personalities. The author used that technique whenever the main character met somebody new or had a new experience. Whenever she would interview someone, most of the description came through dialogue. To use it in my own writing, it would have to be a piece with characters, not an informational piece. It would have a lot of conversation between characters that included description of them through what was happening.

Another writing technique I found was using strong language to show that the characters were telling the truth. The word choice also got somewhat persuasive, so you were on the side of the outcasts along with the main character. The author uses them to give a clear view of what's going on and make you feel what the main character's feeling. In my writing, it would look like strong word choice and no subjective words. It would be words that get the point across but also send emotions with them.

"A Worn Path" Discussion

I just read "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty and I have some things to discuss.

First of all, the title is significant because it refers to the path taken many times by the main character, named Phoenix, to get medicine for her grandson. She knew the path very well and had been taking it constantly for 3 years for her grandson. Sometimes the trip would take so long that Phoenix would forget what she came for.

Next, Phoenix is an appropriate name for the protagonist because the phoenix bird from mythology symbolized some of the same things as Phoenix. In Greek Mythology, the phoenix bird lives a very long time, which relates to Phoenix, who was also very old. Phoenix birds also had new birds take their place when they died, which is like Phoenix's grandson, who will have to take over going on the path once Phoenix dies.

One motif I found is about birds. Every time they're mentioned, it's only one bird. Also, when they're mentioned, it's when  Phoenix does something for her grandson, such as steal a nickel or get medicine for him. There was also a dove and a buzzard. They seem like two choices, life and death, or good and bad. This motif contributes to the meaning by giving us hints of what's going to happen next or hints of Phoenix's past.

Another motif I found was her shoelaces. At first they mentioned them being untied as she walked through the forest and on her path. But once she gets to city, they're mentioned again, and a city person ties them for her. They symbolize how she is from the country and how she has to change to be acceptable in the city. It ties the two parts of the story together, unifying it.

Her journey back is symbolic because it shows selflessness, going the whole way to get medicine and a present for her grandson. It's also symbolic of courage because she is willing to do whatever it takes to get the medicine for her grandson.

Finding Your Voice vs. The Sound of Your Voice

Recently I read two great chapters about your voice as a writer and style.  While they are based on the same topic, they have some things that are the same and others that are different.

For example, both pieces encourage imitating another writer's style.   The first one, Finding Your Voice  says you can borrow pieces of a writer's style, but discourages their whole style because doing it wrong can ruin their style. This differs from the second piece, The Sound of Your Voice, says to never hesitate to imitate another writer's style or taste. Your style will emerge while imitating another writer's, according to the second piece.

An example of how they're alike is that they both say that it takes time to develop your style. In Finding Your Voice,  it says to dig down deeper into yourself and that it takes time to find that spot with your voice. In The Sound of Your Voice, it says that you have to imitate another writer's style for yours to emerge after you've been using another voice for a while.

Also, Finding Your Voice explains more about digging down into yourself to find your true voice and finding your true self to use in your writing. The Sound of Your voice explains more about elements of style you can use, such as eloquence.

As you can see, both pieces are based on the same topic, but have some things the same and some things that are different.  Overall, they both say to find your voice as a writer which is the most important thing.