Comparative Analysis Of The Books On English Writing

College writing can be very complex and critical nowadays, no matter the professor. Understanding the correct punctuation, grammar, and the English language in general is a lot at times for students to comprehend. Many students go through various professors throughout their college journey, who all teach in many diverse ways. Yes, majority of the professors teach the same subject, but it’s a guarantee that none teach that subject the exact same. That’s possibly why many students feel English is at times is a hard concept to grasp, due to the many ways they’ve been taught things. Reading through textbooks and doing worksheets, doesn’t always help improve writing skills. Nor does reading multiple essays day and day out. Students when reading an essay aren’t always looking at the style of an essay, sometimes they’re just reading it to understand its purpose. Of course, it would be great if students read some essays to possible gain better writing skills and abilities. But it doesn’t work like that all the time, reading at times is just that and writing at times is just that. College students can sometimes be so stuck on the thought of getting it done, they no longer care what the correct way to do things are just if it’s done and can get graded. It’s a sad truth but is nothing less than that the truth. There have been many guides and manuals out there have been created to improve the writing of others but isn’t always that appealing to the typical college students. No one wants to just feel like they are just staring at words on a piece of paper gaining nothing but headache from reading it. Two authors have created guides that can help those in desperate or simple need in writing properly in college. They both add so much guidance and comfort to not officially knowing how to write as a “college level” student and how to improve it but still be able to express yourself creatively through your essay.

One of the books that helps with this complication would be the novel called, “Clear and Simple as the Truth” by Francis-Noel Thomas. This novel is one of the best guides, on how to keep an individual and their writing still unique enough for your professor to understand. Throughout the story Thomas, explains in out that writing not only is based off its techniques but also the thinking of the writer themselves. Putting the writer in a mind frame that can understand and interpret to its readers. Letting them open their mind, finding their unique style of writing. This novel is a piece of direction for writers to understand that not only is it important to convey your message to all readers, but also a way for you to find your sense of writing style. Also, the readers ways of thinking through writing, leading a pathway to the writer’s point of view for the reader. One good thing that’s great about this book is that it’s put into a context that any writer can relate at any age. There’s no specifics on who can follow these guidelines, everyone is welcomed to benefit from the knowledge that book is giving out. Putting no limits on the expansion of writing and the style it can be written in, which is great for you beginning writers looking for guidance and creative ways to start their literature journey. Not only just young writers but also writers going through “writers block”, or even just well matured writers just looking for new ways to approach their readers.

Another amazing quality that this book is that it is exactly what it’s title says! Nothing far from the truth. Letting all writers know the real situation behind their writing and what takes to become the best writer they can be. Steers the readers in nothing but the right direction due to the facts and honesty it provides. A quote that can help anyone interested in understanding the concept of writing would be “A style is defined by it’s conceptual stand on the truth, presentation, writer, reader, thought, language, and their relationships”. Thomas in this co explains what style means in the world of literature in various aspects letting any and everyone see that there’s no specific target but the main generals of it. Another amazing quote that justifies the greatness of this book would be when Thomas stated, “Certain Failures to achieve a successful style are so predictable and common as to constitute styles of their own, which might be called styles that do not succeed.” This here nothing but the truth, a writer writing in nothing their own style with their own dash of creativity and words is impeccable. Compared just making a replicated style of someone else writing with a few words changed. Giving the writing no new knowledge or information for the reader. Reading this book was easier than imagined due to all the great advice and knowledge comes from it. It was hard to find a flaw in something that has been needed. There weren’t in any downfalls that stood out to me in this book, if anything gave a clear and better understanding to enhance the creative mind of any and every writer.

The other book that was a helping hand in understand and improving college writing would be “Can I use I?” by Catherine Pendegrast. This book helped clarify many questions asked by students on a daily, many simple but helpful questions being answered. Thankfully Pendergrast has created this book to use it almost as an essay checklist, letting college students find the light at the end of tunnel for literature writing. Letting them all know that it isn’t as bad as it is made to be and that sticking it out is all worth it! There many great points in this book, that can help many students get through their English courses throughout their college journey. One good quality about this book that truly was great, and capturing was the title of each chapter were many hardships many students go through. The titles throughout the book are helpful for students questioning their own question. Some students go through a essay questioning if their questions are legitimate not understanding that there are many students out there with the same thoughts and struggles. Catherine made a good decision when doing that because it appeals to her audience very well. Another incredible point I noticed in this novel was that was very helpful to a lot of students according to the reviews, that many were gaining confidence in writing after reading her novel. According to a student review “The tips and recommendations are fabulous, and everything is presented in an easy to read style with a sense of humor and memorable anecdotes to make poignant points. The author clearly paid attention to the lessons in this book, and it is a great little piece of writing on writing.” This was great to see, seeing that it did help someone in their process of writing. Gratefully showing that the book does come in handy when in need. Something else that was great about this book was that I sort of gives the readers insight on how the professors feel or least what they are thinking when going over their students work. Letting the student be able understand where the professors mind is at possibly reading their essay, what they are looking for, and what can make it a good well-rounded paper in general. For example, when she stated, “Nobody hates the five-paragraph essay more than composition instructors who have to un-teach it so that their students can learn how to write college.”. This a preview into the professor’s mind letting students know almost as much as they don’t want to write the essay, the professor doesn’t want to teach it. This is just a preview of the many things that this valuable novel explains. The only flaw that this book carried was over explaining on particular subjects. Explaining in beyond needed detail at times, sort of reiterating what was previously said to many times.

Both of these books offer nothing greatness and pure knowledge to anyone reading them. Giving them great entail of English writing, what it consists of, what has to offer, and what advantage anyone can gain from it. Incredibly these books have helped views towards writing and how college writing should be written, also understanding writing and creativity comes from within.