I am starting a series of posts on how I write. The series will not, I hasten to add, deal with how I choose what literary flourishes I use in my writing. It has more to do with how I choose which side of an issue to take, how I build my arguments, what tone I choose, and other things in that vein.
I find that writing to convince someone is like an architect designing a building. A building has a function, and a building should look good. Yes, the former takes priority over the latter, but if the architect does his job well, the idea of a conflict between the two will seem silly. What makes the building work will also make it beautiful. This should not mean that the building should never contain anything whose sole function is to make the building look beautiful, but that such things should not be overdone.
So what I will be writing in these posts will be the equivalent of an architect writing about how he designs buildings that will stand up and perform their function well. The assumption will be that if done well, he has done perhaps 90% of his job. The other 10% will depend on creativity, which cannot be taught.
So if you have ever been convinced by what I wrote, or you have thought that I made an interesting argument even though you did not agree with me, then you might be interested in this series. If not, then you might not be interested in this series; you may go ahead and skip it.
looking forward to read it…
I also believe, quite arbitrary, this belief of mine, and not backed by any logic or fact, but I nevertheless believe that when one writes, one ought to construct the sentence more than one constructs the potent of the sentence
Ravi Uncle,
Will you also post a “A Series : How I Masturbate” for the benifit of humanity and follow it up with a “Literal vs Figurative Masturbation”.
Nilu, most people know how to masturbate. I don’t want to preach to an audience of just one. If you want, you can ask your classmates in highschool.
Just for Nilu, this is the site to help him.
Ohhh! What may I ask Nilu, is thy age especially since you address Ravi as “uncle?”
lol!…it sure is fun when we pretend we don’t get …ain’t it?
I am sure this is going to be interesting series of posts and I look forward to it.
What I wish to ask you is this: is convincing the others *the* primary purpose of your blog? Maybe you are good at quickly figuring out which side of an issue you should be on, even if you come across the issue for the first time; but for me, writing actually helps me figure out — clarify — things for myself, and it takes time!