A Simple Letter

Dear Lovers of the Written Word,

            For as long as I can remember English has been my favorite subject. I think it all started when my dad read stories to me and my sister before our bedtime. I was mesmerized by the way the words flowed off the page and transported me from one adventure to the next. One night I would be swimming with mermaids in the wild seas and the next I would be sneaking into a dragon’s cavern to steal his treasure. And so, with these stories my love of English began.

            The written word is a powerful thing. It possesses the ability to educate, inspire, and create, but the most important of these, I think, is to create. I believe each individual has the opportunity to create something of value in their lifetime; whatever it may be, the ability to write and write well plays a vital role in their success.

            I’ve always been praised by teachers and peers for my writing, and while I am far from expert, I’ve always quietly agreed with them. I think when you enjoy a particular subject you pursue it with a passion, and in a sense that is what I have done with English. So walking into English 115 this semester felt like second nature. I wasn’t concerned about not understanding the material, or being overwhelmed with the work. No, neither of these things crossed my mind when I walked into that room.

More than anything I was eager. Throughout high school, my English teachers had put essay writing on the backburner, instead opting for literature comprehension and grammar skills. Neither of which are bad lessons to learn per say, however, I yearned to fill pages with words. I was taught the standard five paragraph essay, and what a black and white technique that is. Writing is a colorful process composed with a multitude of shades and hues, and I thought it should be treated as such. But I suppose high school students are better off reading and comprehending colorful literature rather than learning how to create their own.

This brings me back to one’s ability to create with the written word, where in a world comprised of limitations the possibilities are endless. They are the closest thing we have to magic. We can make history, bring our imaginations to life, and stir up a fire of emotions with just a few well written sentences. For this reason, it is worth learning how to compose something meaningful and noteworthy.

I’m not saying that through the course of this semester I have perfected my writing skills, but I am able to say that I am walking away from this class with a greater understanding of what it takes to be a better writer.

I have always valued the end product. I have never written first, second and final drafts; I simply wrote one draft, fixed minor changes, and submitted my work—my process was a stunted creature. I never thought to nurture that creature until English 115, where the process of writing an essay was emphasized over the end product. We were assigned to read and annotate many articles supporting the process of writing, but Anne Lamott’s “Shitty First Drafts” struck me as the most relative.

Maybe it was the punchy title or the relatable text that challenged my stunted writing procedure. Whatever it was, I was presented with a more complete method of writing that didn’t seem too tedious for me to handle: the shitty first draft. At first, I thought to myself, “I can’t do that. Either it’s perfect the first time around or it never will be.” And yet, after one shitty first draft attempt I realized I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Once I had released my delusions of having a perfect essay in one attempt, I was able to pour out all my thoughts about the subject without worrying if anyone would see them. It was my first draft after all, and seeing all my ideas there on the page allowed me to organize them in a way I hadn’t been able to before. By the time I had written my second draft, I already had better material than I would have if I had been using my previous one-draft-wonder process. Seeing this progression in my writing was an unexpected reward that I welcomed with open arms. Finally, my writing was being critiqued rather than praised and I soaked up all the constructive comments that were offered.

Ironically enough, the first essay I chose to include in this portfolio is not about my writing being critiqued, but my attitude. What began as an essay about a person of influence in my life ultimately ended as a self-reflective paper that shed even more light on the importance of the journey rather than where you end up. Looking back on the years I spent in high school trying to play this perfect role reminded me of how I attempted to write my one-draft-wonder essays. I was trying to act like I had everything under control, when in reality life is just like a first draft. It’s supposed to be messy and full of mistakes—that’s the beauty of it. The essay titled “The Teacher Who Got It” describes my journey to this realization.

The second essay included in this portfolio is my critique on a societal issue that was presented in a movie of my choice. I chose the 2012 film Project X and tackled the issue of how partying and drinking relates to the pressure teens face to be a part of the in-crowd. Beginning this essay was challenging for me as I struggled to find my own voice within the topic I had chosen. The essay titled “The Project X Effect” analyzes my opinion of how to some degree media has influenced adolescents’ actions and desires.

These two essays represent my best work of this semester during which I have seen my writing progress more than it has throughout all my high school years. Thanks to English 115, I feel more confident in my writing voice and strength as a writer. I am excited to see how my writing will improve in the future, but until then I will remember to enjoy the process, however messy it may get.

Best Regards,

Casey Miller