The Journey

Campus Construction Continues: The photo is only because if I missed it today, tomorrow it will be a building; however the campus construction is not the focus of my thoughts today.


Because I have been reading so many student papers, I have been thinking about a piece that I read years ago. From time to time I read it again just to lubricate my thoughts on writing, and maybe to also motivate me to continue writing. I've never known the author's name--sorry.


This is for all who love to write or to read:

The Essay (Part 1)

To essay is to journey. Where the writer goes or how is not as important as that the writer goes. Some journeys are best made on rapid transit; "the facts the facts the facts," click the wheels on the rail. Others are by skiff, a slow glide past gardens we promise to return to.

Sometimes essays invite anyone who will to come along; other times, they address private parties, only those who understand the language of the invitation, a language the rest of us find too difficult to enjoy. Not all essays are for every reader.

The journey itself fascinates us, but not as much as the interaction between host and guest: The companionship, the conversation. We want both the mixture of journey and companionship. The essay is both.

Or . . . think of it as talk on paper, one voice or many, addressing the reader, the listener--"Hear us think! Listen as our minds probe, question, assert!"

Where do the voices come from? From the dialogue within us as we search for our thoughts and discover our perspective, our place in the discussion. From others as we argue with their perspectives. And from the audience as we compare our perspectives to theirs.

The dialogue does not seek one right answer ("right answers" do not need discussion); it finds its success in exploring, learning, testing ideas. No essay fails if it discovers alternative viewpoints, engages in lively discourse, teases, cajoles the readers to participate--even if the writer reaches no conclusions. An essay that provokes discussion is a success.


Tomorrow Part 2 of The Essay -- Until then, I'll continue grading papers!
Good night from Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol

P.S. Thanks for all the lovely comments the past several days. The Bird of Paradise blipped yesterday just grows and grows, almost wild, here.