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Kaitlyn Coleman
Professor Doug Rigby
College English I
September 27th
, 2012
Impact of the Written Word
Eyes dart across thinly lined pages, devouring each dark letter, which poses the inked
ballads of heroes, traitors, and happily-ever-afters, each illustrated in the mind’s eye. Such
stories weave the tales of people swept up in the turmoil of a revolting nation, two lovers cruelly
separated by circumstance and death’s chill fingers, a second daughter’s unwillingness to marry
for money, or the masked specter that hunts the dreams of a young opera performer. Literature
has held an important, if at first crude, place in society since the creation of the written word, and
continues to be a vital source of learning, entertainment, escape, and creation, despite the
technological advances that may strive to take its place. The written word, particularly the
influential characters, themes, and educational material presented in it, greatly impacts the moral
and intellectual development of an individual, through the escapism and outlet of creation it
provides to readers of all generations.
When imagining a poem, or other written work, that has been written on a sheet of paper,
one may say that it is just a set of ink marks on paper, or, they may call it a literary creation. The
power of the written word, however, transcends such descriptions and, even, the page on which it
is contained. Literature, from the point-of-view of both the reader and the writer, holds a
meaning much deeper than shallow descriptions can portray. Such meanings differ for each
individual who reads the words and vary in their strength, but the fact remains that the written
word does hold a great deal of power and influence, making it able to have an impact on each
individual, whether they seek enlightenment, entertainment, escape, or a creative outlet.
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So many people have had their hearts and minds touched by excellent works of literature,
and have experienced the escape of immersing oneself in the life of another. Countless hours
have been spent with faces hidden beyond the pages of various novels by such individuals
wishing to escape the real world and journey into the mythical realms created by an imaginative
mind. A reader could be a mystified child travelling upon the Hogwarts Express alongside young
Harry Potter to a school of witchcraft and wizardry, or a hopeless romantic following the tale of
Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcey as they strive to transcend the pride and prejudice which
defines the society they are a part of. It is, thus, no surprise that literature allows readers of all
generations to travel from the real world into that which exists beyond the inked words found on
each page.
The lives of mortal beings are almost never as exciting as discovering that one possesses
magical abilities, finding true love in unlikely circumstances, or discovering that their destiny
will, in some way, shape the fate of the entire realm, so it is not unthought-of that so many seek
refuge from their often quite strenuous and emotionally draining lives, by turning to the written
word. Such escapism allows children and, even, adults to shy away from the misfortune,
negativity, and dark times faced in their lives, in order to seek out the powerful themes and
positive influences found between the covers of a book.
The pen, too, is an important device of this escapism, as the creation of alternate literary
realms also allows the writer to both flee from and reconcile with the often cruel physical world
in which they live. One’s mind runs wild, like a young horse, and the resulting ideas cannot often
be contained within wires, fences, or the confines of the subconscious. Often, the complex
emotions one feels as a response to grief, anger, or other such terrible sentiments can only be
sorted out when placed on paper, through a personal diary, poetry, fictional prose, or other such
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forms of artistic self-expression. Writing, thus, opens the door to an excellent creative outlet that
may mean the difference between physically and emotionally damaging actions taken as a result
of the horrors and negative influences faced during a difficult mortal life, and gaining a new and
hopeful outlook on life. This literary art form allows one to create a world and characters that are
all their own, then use the story that surrounds them to influence and inspire future readers, thus,
further continuing the literary cycle which originally inducted them as a reader.
In order for one to learn and develop positively as a result of this art form, one must first
be taught, as an impressionable young person, to appreciate the written word, so that such
literature can guide them through the difficult times they are currently facing or have yet to
encounter. The teaching of reading and writing skills, in addition to mathematics and science,
thus, is key to the advancement of the lifelong endeavors of each student. The written word holds
a significant amount of power and the quill, so it has often been said, “is mightier than the
sword”, particularly in molding impressionable minds. Humans learn, from early childhood,
through stories of their ancestors or nursery rhymes, each meant to teach either an educational or
moral lesson and become instilled in young minds, thus forging the mental and creative inferno
that will, eventually, again focus on the sharpening of that metaphorical quill.
The characters portrayed in both classic and contemporary literature greatly impact the
reader’s view of their moral concepts of “good” and “evil”, and serve to positively influence
such readers and the moral development. “Good” is the description often given to those who
fight for what they believe to be right and the betterment of the world they live in, sharing
kindness with and inspiring hope in others, including the reader. Characters seen as “good” in
literature tend to be the hero of the tale and those who fight at their side or help them along the
way --- the characters that stand against those who strive to spread darkness, such as King Arthur
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and his knights. Such characters usually fit the typical “nice guy” archetype, being very likeable
and relatable. They become positive influences and emotional companions to readers, young and
old alike.
Likewise, the characters portrayed as “evil” are often the antagonist and those associated
with them, and, although they may or may not truly be evil, they almost always have dark
tendencies or desires and take immoral action. Those cruel individuals, who feel no remorse for
their wrongdoing, are willing to do most anything for self-advancement, and take pleasure in the
pain of others become the most hated villains. These “evil” characters serve to caution the reader
against similar actions taken in haste and self-interest. It is such cruel and self-serving characters,
such as Claudius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, those who are willing even to kill off their family in
order to gain power, which readers connect with and relate to the darkness and cruelty they see in
the world around them.
Although, characters such as King Arthur and similar storybook heroes are influential in
the initial development of a young reader’s sense of morals, it is flawed characters which
resonate with a more mature audience. Readers are able see themselves in the flawed characters
whose lives in which they have been immersed. Individuals find it much more easy to relate to
flawed and realistically human characters such as Robin Hood and his band of thieves, than to
the faultless heros often portrayed in storybooks. Virtuous though their cause may be, the story
of the “Merry Men” of Sherwood reveals the crimes and faults of the characters who have
decided to follow a fallen nobleman and strive to oust the kingdom of an unjust ruler. Such
characters allow readers to journey deeper into the lives of fictional individuals who have made
choices similar to their own, and learn from these choices.
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Characters, like mortal beings, are seldom a true embodiment of all that is “good” or
“evil” in the world, and find themselves, rather, on a “hero’s journey”, of sorts, toward positive
growth in themselves. Some stories even include a protagonist who is unlikeable and more so an
embodiment of “evil” than of “good”, such as Ebenezer Scrooge in Dicken’s A Christmas
Carol. This character finds himself on a one night journey to rediscover his “Christmas spirit”
and, more importantly, his senses of kindness, love and humanity. Such characters, with evident
faults, remain with a reader long after they have reached the final page of their tale, as they
become an embodiment of the reader’s own self, placed in a world of ink.
The ability to commit evil deeds is a part of human nature, for all have flaws, but guilt
and remorse can also be felt by all. The latter two capacities act as a conscience and cause people
to realize when they have done wrong, giving them the desire to attempt to make up for what
they have done and seek forgiveness from others they have hurt and, often with more difficultly,
themselves. As has been stated many-a-time, people have both light and dark inside of them, but
it is what one chooses to act upon that truly matters, for that is what shows one’s moral fiber ---
one’s true character. Cruel, selfish, and self-serving by nature is the human race, however,
people also have the capacity to share love, hope, and kindness with their fellow man, while also
being able to choose what they perceive as “good” and “evil”. Individuals are often influenced in
these later beliefs by outside forces, such as the written word, which can be quite instrumental in
shaping the moral development of readers.
Not only do the characters positively influence readers, but the themes of the stories they
are a part of also play a large role in impacting the moral development of readers. Each novel
presents different themes and holds various meanings for each individual who reads it, often
portraying positive influences to the reader and allowing them to view their world and its
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circumstances in a varied and more enlightened way. From showing the devastation caused by
war and oppression, such as in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, to the power of hope and
love to transcend all obstacles, which is portrayed in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, authors
shape their novels to hold themes that they hope will effectively portray their beliefs to readers
and instill their values in them, thus, beginning a cycle of positive change in the world.
Literature has been and continues to be instrumental in the instruction and enlightenment
of all generations. Books can teach important lessons from math to foreign languages, and
science to the fine arts. Likewise, events portrayed in historical novels and textbooks often serve
to dramatize the actions of past generations, in order to inspire present and future generations.
Humans learn through such stories, whether they be fictional ballads of heroes in far-away
realms, or the true epics of real beings, for every human life is like the plot of a novel,
continuously unfolding and with a yet-to-be-defined end.
Through the escape from the real world and outlet of creation it provides, the written
word greatly impacts the moral and intellectual development of individuals of all generations.
Positively influential characters and themes serve to sway the moral development of readers,
while educational novels and textbooks instruct and enlighten readers, helping to shape their
intellectual development. The written word teaches readers and writers more about their world
and causes them to perceive it in ways they would have never dreamed. In a world lacking such
influential outlets of artistic creation which literature and creative writing allow, circumstances
would be quite bleak indeed, for there would be little refuge from the cruel storms of reality that
rage through one’s life, hopes, and dreams. The destiny of the world is determined less by
wartime battles that are lost or won, than by the stories that one loves and believes in.
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Essay 1 Comments
Before submitting your revised version of Essay 1, Copy and Paste this text into your file
immediately following the revised version, and before any other materials.
The comments below present a range of descriptions that can be applied to an essay in the
various categories presented. The categories address the basic components of an essay, and
the next section describes the frequency of grammar, clarity and correctness flaws.
Taken together, the highlighted comments are meant to help explain the essay’s strengths and
weaknesses. This descriptive process is meant to encourage student participation in linking the
comments to the essay, and in finding the incidences of errors reported by the instructor.
Not every category will contain highlights/comments. Those most important will receive the
focus, because research indicates that students only respond to two or three comments on an
essay. After considering the comments, students who remain confused or unsatisfied about
their understanding of the essay’s qualities, should consult the instructor. (Any uncertainty
about the problem indicated by the highlighting in the text should be investigated; quote the line
to the Questions Discussion and ask.)
Introduction
generic
does / does not set stage for reader
lacks clear thesis / direction
unclear
adequate
specific
imaginative
well focused on moving readers to thesis claim
Thesis statement:
unstated
unfocused
needs a clearly stated opinion
present, but unclear
implied, but unclear
delayed until end > readers left hanging
present, but vague
generic, somewhat unsurprising
adequate
clear, interesting
insightful
Support:
Details:
lacks details
few details
specifics well used in only some places
some details distract
more details are needed for high quality, depth
provides many specific details
most or all details clearly relevant
Support:
Development:
sentence clarity prevents useful development
many details need further explanation
needs topic sentences for thesis connection
details need clearer connection to thesis
some details need further explanation
some development doesn’t link details to thesis
some development weakly or unclearly links to
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thesis
interesting, useful discussions
aptly demonstrates thesis ideas
Unity:
relevance of some paragraphs isn’t clear
topic sentences should be clearer, to promote unity
paragraph(s) contain more than one idea
some paragraphs address thesis but have
distractions
some paragraphs aren’t well linked to thesis
most details in paragraphs unified
most paragraphs have a clear purpose in support of
thesis
all paragraphs have a clear purpose in support of
thesis
Coherence:
few transitions
transitions are weak / simplistic
adequate transitions
clear, adept transitions
organizational choices hamper clear connections
sentences in paragraphs don’t build progressive
points
paragraph to paragraph logic should be more clear
sentences in paragraphs build progressive points
clear paragraph to paragraph logic
Your essay one submission does not contain required elements. Please respond, explain, and
resubmit as promptly as possible. <<(This comment relevant only if highlighted).
Correctness,
Grammar,
sentencing
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1=errors nearly every line
5=several errors per page
10=nearly error free
Error types: Review your handbook regarding the indicated issues.
awkward syntax / wording
clichéd language
sentence (s-v) logic
sentence fragments
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comma splices
faulty or unclear modifiers
faulty parallelism
faulty sentence structures
faulty subordinator
fused sentences
homonyms
idiom / unconventional wording
unclear / improper word choice
informal language
missing words
mixed constructions
parallelism
pronoun # agreement
punctuation
spelling
style (sentence construction and combination)
weaknesses
subject-verb # agreement
tense shift
un clearly attributed dialogue
unclear antecedents
unclear sentence structures
use of second person (you)
vague language (verbs)
verb errors
weak verbs
weak sentence openings
wordiness
Grade:
A A-
B+ B B-
C+ C C-
D
F
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Peer Review
Important: Peer review is an exercise in examining content, not mechanics. Do not edit the essay you read for
spelling, punctuation or sentence grammar. Those are addressed in later stages of the process. Your task is to
provide the author with some things to consider when assessing the essay and planning revision. Authors of course
are not obligated to make any changes suggested; they are only obligated to consider your suggestions and decide
rationally whether or not they might be useful. Please keep in mind that the questions are chosen carefully to guide
your attention to fulfilling the assignment as well as writing well. Please also don’t take the easy out of answering
“none,” or “everything is fine.” Authors need feedback; provide it.
Author: Kaitlyn Coleman Reviewer: Ashley Machamer
Consider the thesis: Does it satisfy the assignment? Why?
I believe that the thesis highly satisfies the assignment due to the way that it creates a structure
for the essay. Not only this, but also the fact that it looks at the opinion of literature as more than
just written text, but rather a way to improve one’s intellect and morals.
All thesis statements should include the topic and the opinion about that topic. (To use other
terminology, the subject of the essay and a controlling idea, a claim made about that subject.
See Harris, page 5). Identify each in the thesis statement of the essay you read. If you are
unsure what the thesis statement is, state that, and then paraphrase for the author what
appears to be the main point of their essay. Then pinpoint the topic and controlling idea of that
statement.
“Through the escape from the real world and outlet of creation it provides, the written word
greatly impacts the moral and intellectual development of individuals of all generations.”
The subject of the thesis is that the written word is an escape from the real work, yet the opinion
of the thesis is that literature greatly impacts the intellect and morals of individuals, no matter
what their age.
Identify what appears to be the best transition phrase or sentence in the essay, and explain
why.
The best transition sentence is as follows: “The pen, too, is an important device of this escapism,
as the creation of alternate literary realms also allows the writer to both flee from and reconcile
with the often cruel physical world in which they live.”
I feel as though this is an excellent transition because it was very visionary. It made me imagine
a pen flowing across a page and also think of the creativeness of writers.
What other aspects of the situation should the writer explore further?
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The writer could provide an example or two of what they believe is a good example of literature
that gives someone a better intellect. Also, an example in the “good and evil” section would be
great to create a more visual aspect. ( maybe a popular book that the audience knows a lot about.)
Elaboration depends upon details, the specifics of names, places, dates, and incidents to make
things real for readers. Where should the author consider providing more details?
I believe the whole essay could use more detail just like names and places, etc. It would break up
some of the essay and take a more literal approach rather than persuasive and imaginative.
A common weakness in writing is a lack of unity. Where is unity weakest in this essay?
Where has the author explored tangents?
There were no tangents because the writer did very well with “hinting” their opinion without
going into a rant.
The lack of unity may have to do with the flow of the essay. I really think it is great, but as I was
reading I almost got a bit confused. The way the first sentence of each paragraph draws me in,
but what will happen takes a bit to understand.
Impact of the Written Word
Eyes dart across thinly lined pages, devouring each dark letter, which poses the inked
ballads of heroes, traitors, and happily-ever-afters, each illustrated in the mind’s eye. Such
stories weave the tales of people swept up in the turmoil of a revolting nation, two lovers cruelly
separated by circumstance and death’s chill fingers, a second daughter’s unwillingness to marry
for money, or the masked specter that hunts the dreams of a young opera performer. Literature
has held an important, if at first crude, place in society since the creation of the written word, and
continues to be a vital source of learning, entertainment, escape, and creation, despite the
technological advances that may strive to take its place. Through the escape from the real world
and outlet of creation it provides, the written word greatly impacts the moral and intellectual
development of individuals of all generations. A very broad point; can you tackle it this
briefly?
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When imagining a poem, or other written work, that has been written on a sheet of paper,
one may say that it is just a set of ink marks on paper, or, they may call it a literary creation. The
power of the written word, however, transcends such descriptions and, even, the page on which it
is contained. Literature, from the point-of-view of both the reader and the writer, holds a
meaning much deeper than shallow descriptions can portray. Such meanings differ for each
individual who reads the words and vary in their strength, but the fact remains that the written
word does hold a great deal of power and influence, making it able to have an impact on each
individual, whether they seek enlightenment, entertainment, escape, or a creative outlet.
So many people have had their hearts and minds touched by excellent works of literature,
and have experienced the escape of immersing oneself in the life of another. Countless hours
have been spent with faces hidden beyond the pages of various novels by people wishing to
escape the real world and journey into the mythical realms created by an imaginative mind.
You’re rather general here; readers like specifics. As the lives of mortal beings are almost
never as exciting as discovering that one possesses magical abilities or that their destiny will
shape the fate of the entire realm, it is not unthought-of that so many seek refuge from their often
quite strenuous and emotionally draining lives, by turning to the written word. Such escapism
allows children and, even, adults to shy away from the misfortune, negativity, and dark times in
their lives, in order to seek out the powerful themes and positive influences found between the
covers of a book.
The pen, too, is an important device of this escapism, as the creation of alternate literary
realms also allows the writer to both flee from and reconcile with the often cruel physical world
in which they live. One’s mind runs wild, like a young horse, and the resulting ideas cannot often
be contained within wires, fences, or the confines of the subconscious. Often, the complex
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emotions one feels as a response to grief, anger, or other such terrible sentiments can only be
sorted out when placed on paper, through a personal diary, poetry, fictional prose, or other such
forms of artistic self-expression. Writing, thus, opens the door to an excellent creative outlet that
may mean the difference between physically and emotionally damaging actions taken as a result
of the horrors and negative influences faced during a difficult mortal life, and gaining a new and
hopeful outlook on life. This literary art form allows one to create a world and characters that are
all their own, then use the story that surrounds them to influence and inspire future readers, thus,
further continuing the literary cycle which originally inducted them as a reader.
In order for one to learn and develop positively as a result of this art form, one must first
be taught, as an impressionable young person, to appreciate the written word, so that such
literature can guide them through the difficult times they are currently facing or have yet to
encounter. The teaching of reading and writing skills, in addition to mathematics and science,
thus, is key to the advancement of the lifelong endeavors of each student. Literature has a
significant impact on members of all generations and the world as a whole, and is greatly
influential on the moral and intellectual development of each individual who encounters it.
Telling us that is much less valuable than showing it.
The characters portrayed in both classic and contemporary literature greatly impact the
reader’s view of their moral concepts of “good” and “evil”, and serve to positively influence
such readers and the moral development. “Good” is the description often given to those who
fight for what they believe to be right and the betterment of the world they live in, sharing
kindness with and inspiring hope in others, including the reader. Characters seen as good in
literature tend to be the hero of the tale and those who fight at their side or help them along the
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way --- the characters that stand against those who strive to spread darkness. Such characters
become positive influences and emotional companions to readers, young and old alike.
Likewise, the characters portrayed as evil are often the antagonist and those associated
with them, and, although they may or may not truly be evil, they almost always have dark
tendencies or desires and take immoral action. Those cruel individuals, who feel no remorse for
their wrongdoing, are willing to do most anything for self-advancement, and take pleasure in the
pain of others become the most hated villains. These “evil” characters serve to caution the reader
against similar actions taken in haste and self-interest.
Interesting stuff, but to this point devoid of detail. How long will readers maintain
interest without specific? Do you name any specific characters?
The ability to commit evil deeds is a part of human nature, for all have flaws, but guilt
and remorse can also be felt by all. The latter two capacities act as a conscience and cause people
to realize when they have done wrong, giving them the desire to attempt to make up for what
they have done and seek forgiveness from others they have hurt and, often with more difficultly,
themselves. As has been stated many-a-time, people have both light and dark inside of them, but
it is what one chooses to act upon that truly matters, for that is what shows one’s moral fiber ---
one’s true character. Cruel, selfish, and self-serving by nature is the human race, however, also
has the capacity to share love, hope, and kindness with their fellow man, while also being able to
choose what they perceive as good and evil. Individuals are often influenced in these later beliefs
by outside forces, such as the written word, which can be quite instrumental in shaping the moral
development of readers.
Not only do the characters positively influence readers, but the themes of the stories they
are a part of also play a large role in impacting the moral development of readers. Each novel
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presents different themes and holds various meanings for each individual who reads it, often
portraying positive influences to the reader and allowing them to view their world and its
circumstances in a varied and more enlightened way. From showing the devastation caused by
war and oppression, to the power of hope and love to transcend obstacles, authors shape their
novels to hold themes that they hope will effectively portray their beliefs to readers and instill
their values in them, thus, beginning a cycle of positive change in the world.
Literature has been and continues to be instrumental in the instruction and enlightenment
of all generations. Books can teach important lessons from math to foreign languages, and
science to the fine arts. Likewise, events portrayed in historical novels and textbooks often serve
to dramatize the actions of past generations, in order to inspire present and future generations.
Humans learn by stories, whether they be fictional ballads of heroes in far away realms, or the
true epics of real beings, for every human life is like the plot of a novel.
Through the escape from the real world and outlet of creation it provides, the written
word greatly impacts the moral and intellectual development of individuals of all generations.
Positively influential characters and themes serve to sway the moral development of readers,
while educational novels and textbooks instruct and enlighten readers, helping to shape their
intellectual development. The written word teaches readers and writers more about their world
and causes them to perceive it in ways they would have never dreamed. In a world lacking such
influential outlets of artistic creation which literature and creative writing allow, circumstances
would be quite bleak indeed, for there would be little refuge from the cruel storms of reality that
rage through one’s life, hopes, and dreams. The destiny of the world is determined less by
wartime battles that are lost or won, than by the stories that one loves and believes in.
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Introduction (1 paragraph)
-Draw reader into the essay, through the use of illustration
-Include additional details, which work to introduce the essay’s topic
-Thesis: “Through the escape from the real world and outlet of creation it provides, the written
word greatly impacts the moral and intellectual development of individuals, particularly those of
the young generations.”
Part 1: Influential and Creative Outlets of Escapism(4para.)
-Begin to present background information on the topic and opinion to be presented
-Tell how literature touches the hearts and minds of individuals and shelters them from reality
-Tell how the art of writing allows for one to describe and reconcile with their world
-Conclude this section with the importance of teaching of reading and writing skills to students,
and provide a jumping-off point to lead into the next section
Part 2:Impact on the Moral and Intellectual Development of an Individual (5para.)
-Tell how the characters presented in literature positively influence the reader’s moral
development, by describing the moral concepts of “good” and “evil”
Do you name any specific characters?
-Touch on various themes presented in literature and how they serve to inspire the reader
-Tell how literature is key in enlightening and instructing readers, and, thus, is an important part
of the reader’s intellectual development
Conclusion (1 para.)
-Re-state what the paper has covered and its main point
-Reflect on the differences between a world, such as this one, influenced by the written word and
one lacking such an influential outlet of artistic creation
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-Use illustration to close on a memorable and creative note
It’s likely the broad approach that leads to the vagueness. This needs grounding in
discussion of specifics to have real value for readers. As is, it’s rather empty.