Before reading these articles, the status of my writing was unconventional; however, the ideas presented in the three reminiscences have inspired me to consider applying rhetorical strategies in writing, including pathos, logos, and ethos appeals. For instance, Lahiri’s article begins with an attention grabber “In college, I used to underline sentences that struck me, that made me look up from the page.” This statement indicates an exciting storyline that inspires the reader to read more and discover what transpired next, reflecting on the author’s use of the ethos appeal. As a writer, I will use attention grabbers in my writing by asking a question, using comparisons, quoting facts, or telling a joke.
Sontag’s article mentions that “to write is to practice, with particular intensity and attentiveness, the art of reading.” This statement is sound advice because writing is an expression of the in-depth understanding of something. This rule applies to every author, scholar, or reader because they have to explore, analyze, and internalize the information to encourage meaningful sharing. Therefore, reading and writing are intertwined because one makes the other better. Through this directive, I have discovered that quality research relies on credible facts and intensive analytical comparisons that can only be achieved through intellectual engagements. Currently, I have adopted precision teaching as a study system to enable me to become an active reader.
The classical guide for writers indicates that “true writers must write every day.” Moseley mentions this to encourage practice and determination, which are critical ingredients in perfecting this art. I concur with this advice because words used in crafting perfect writing pieces should be artistic to convince the audience and address the topic adequately. Therefore, I challenge myself to ensure I write every day, reflecting on my everyday encounters to boost my authorship skills.