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.