Reading to Write
- An Analysis
Reading exposes us to unique and unfamiliar writing styles, vocabulary, and techniques, which shape our own writing and refine our use of language to effectively and creatively express our opinions and thoughts.
The Reading to Write module has improved my language use, creativity, and analytical skills by exposing me to a variety of discursive and imaginative texts, which I closely studied and imitated in order to gain a more critical perspective on my use of language, as well as to become a more sophisticated and impactful writer.
By analysing Excess Baggage by Mary Morris and The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K Leguin I was able to discover how composers utilise complex literary devices and carefully constructed story structure to enrich their narratives while commenting on societal issues and exploring the human condition. Through the exploration and application of metaphorical language in Excess Baggage and juxtaposition in The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas I have been able to further develop my capabilities as a writer and produce meaningful and intricate texts.
Through our study of Excess Baggage we have explored inner journeys and spiritual development; these are concepts portrayed through Morris’ use of discursive storytelling.
These ideas are presented through the use of figurative language, which can be seen in the metaphor “Excess baggage is a symptom of something we are missing on the inside—a fear that we won’t be accepted for what we are, as if ourselves are not enough.” Morris uses this comparison to liken her internal struggle to a physical weight, which demonstrates the effect mental health can have on us.
This quote has deepened my understanding of how authors can blend abstract concepts and literal imagery to innovatively convey complex themes. Enhancing conceptual depth is vital in developing my writing capability as it allows me to avoid simplistic and dull storytelling, instead using complex multi-levelled concepts to convey a point using an engaging narrative.
I have implemented these concepts in my discursive text that utilises strong imagery and metaphors to strongly convey key themes, which can be seen in the quote “I promptly found myself choking for air, surrounded by zealots engulfed by tear gas and shadowed by the night, mere cogs in the leviathan of oppression, an iron-fisted vice that united even the most dubious of allies.”
While it’s hard to see with just one quote, my aim with this text was not to tell a story completely objectively like a traditional discursive, but rather to present multiple viewpoints and allow for the reader to form their own opinion on the concept discussed. I did this by using visceral abstract imagery and metaphors to have a profound and insightful impact on the reader.
Through the study of Excess Baggage and Mary Morris’ use of figurative language and symbolism I have been able to broaden my imagination and enhance my ability to write using complex metaphors and symbolic storytelling to convey a deeper message through a creative narrative.
In studying The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas we have discovered how the creative potential in imaginative stories allows them to act as a blank canvas through which we can scrutinise modern society.
In this text, LeGuin introduces a moral dilemma that challenges the reader’s morals and critiques our society as a whole. This concept is introduced using juxtaposition and a tonal shift, which can be found in the quote “In a basement under one of the beautiful public buildings of Omelas… there is a room.” These literary techniques have been thoughtfully implemented with the goal of adding a “shock factor” to the story that forces the reader to face the dilemma head on, making the text deeply confronting and insightful.
This quote and its associated techniques have taught me the power of contrast in stories to engage readers and reinforce the key concepts of the narrative. Understanding how these devices enhance a story has been deeply impactful on my own writing, allowing me to craft more engaging texts through complex, meaningful language.
I have applied the techniques used by Morris into my own imaginative text by using a tonal shift to apply sudden contrast to an already descriptive scene, enhancing the imagery. This is seen in the quote: “My senses were on fire. As I edged further towards the pinnacle of my high, the walls began to melt, drizzling onto the floor in a myriad of chromatic fury. The euphoria was becoming overwhelming, the bathroom lights blazed like a galaxy of delicately interwoven stars. And as I sat there, in a puddle of my own giddy helplessness, it all came crashing down.”
My intended impact of the use of tonal shift in this quote was to combine it with the use of strong visceral and sensory imagery to evoke an emotional response in the reader in order to both engage them and strengthen the overall impact of the narrative.
By studying tonal shift and juxtaposition in LeGuin’s The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas I have been able to enhance my own writing by recognising the value of literary devices in engaging the reader and crafting a powerful narrative.
Exploring discursive and imaginative texts within the Reading to Write Module has refined my creativity and use of language. Exposure to these texts has taught me the skills necessary to take my writing to the next level, featuring more impactful concepts and sophisticated implementation of literary devices.
Using the implementation of juxtaposition, allegory, symbolism, and figurative language authors Mary Morris and Ursula LeGuin position the audience to consider the deeper meaning of their stories, provoking an intense emotional response that increases engagement and drives the core concepts of their narratives.
Throughout the module and exploration of discursive and imaginative writing I have discovered new unfamiliar techniques and devices, applying them to my own writing in order to convey deeper meaning and explore complex concepts such as inner journeys and social complicity.