Readin' Like A Darn Writer

Does anyone read those articles on Elitedaily or Buzzfeed? These articles usually have a witty, relatively short introduction followed by a numbers list with bold headlines. Each headline then has a paragraph or sentence giving more information on the headline. One example of article’s headline in this particular style read, “8 Bittersweet Things You’ll Learn As You Get Older.” I noticed that these types of articles became really popular over the last year. Maybe it’s because people are tired of the same old boring constructed five paragraph essay-like readings. Or maybe we all have A.D.D. and like to know that we only have to read 8 bullet points. Anyways, I’ve personally found it refreshing!

Here’s 6 ways Mr. Bunns the Author Got Me to Read like a Writer

•  Pick a piece of writing and reflect about why you feel the way you do towards it. Was it the way the author constructed the paragraphs? Maybe it was the language the author used. Maybe it was informal, which made you feel more comfortable as if a friend was speaking to you.  Bunns said after reflecting as to why you felt that way, now think of how the author’s writing technique and content can be interpreted in a different way

•   Refelct on your own writing. Of course content reflects who the audience is, but I would say my writing style usually has an informal tone. Again, this is based on my audience.

•  Every author has a purpose in what they are writing and -----how they convey their message.---- Here’s the twist; he said now imagine the author’s purpose or message is completely different than what you originally thought. For instance, two people can perceive the same piece of writing differently. Writing is like an art form, different audiences see different pictures and symbols in paintings all the time. This can happen in a piece of writing as well. 

•   Audience is key.Bunns kept highlighting how important it is to identify your audience and what tone you want to convey before you start writing. 

•  You can’t always control who your audience is, but according to our readings, but we should know our intended audience pretty well to have an effective piece of work. Some articles, essays, passages purpose may be to convey more than one message or symbol. I guess that’s what makes writing adventurous.

•     Look for patterns the author uses! Does the author use a word over and over throughout his/her piece? Maybe the author uses a word just once, to create emphasize on that word.  Maybe the article sounds more like a conversation through his use of language, tone, and informal style. These techniques are all done by the author on purpose, usually.