Best of Week: Artful Sentences

This week's highlight was certainly our observations of Artful Sentences. The biggest bore in an English class can often be learning grammar, but this is not the case when using Artful Sentences. This book takes a unique, intelligent approach to writing. No matter how much I thought I knew about writing, I have already learned so much from Artful Sentences. This week we discussed sentence structure, particularly sentence length and variation. To be honest, this isn't typically something I think about in my writing. Until now. (See? I used sentence length variation there!) 

The examples in Artful Sentences were passages from wonderfully written works. The book provided several ways to use the tools/suggestions given. Rather then giving simplistic, elementary examples like other grammar workbooks Artful Sentences provides real literary examples which I believe are more effective. Comparing the examples to my own writing is unavoidable. What I believe the beauty of learning about different writing styles is that my own will inevitably develop. The value of improving my writing is immense.

As previously discussed in class, writing can be or do just about anything. Writing can serve as a way of expression, record-keeping, release, learning, educating others, and growing as both a reader, writer, and individual. I always knew that expressing myself eloquently through writing was beneficial, but I know not to over-do it. I think a wonderful way to avoid stressing the reader or coming across as 'fake' is by varying sentence length.

Even the page itself then looks more interesting.

I see myself using what I've learned in Artful Sentences on many occasions. Whether it be colleges essays, creative writing, or research papers, there are countless opportunities for me to improve my writing. Beginning with my sentences. Although I'm certainly an amateur at this point, I look forward to more lessons and deepening my skill level and understanding.

Artful Sentences serves as Best of Week because it's only the beginning.